Let’s Follow Wyoming’s Lead—End Gun-Free Zones in Our State

Wayne Thorn



I wanted to bring to your attention Wyoming’s recent move to eliminate gun-free zones statewide—a bold step in restoring Second Amendment rights and ensuring the safety of law-abiding citizens.

https://www.wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025/HB0172

Gun-free zones have consistently proven to be ineffective deterrents to crime, often leaving law-abiding citizens vulnerable while criminals ignore these restrictions. Wyoming’s decision to crush gun-free zones recognizes the fundamental right of self-defense and empowers individuals to protect themselves and others.

I strongly believe we should take similar action in Florida and push for legislation that removes these ineffective and dangerous restrictions. Protecting our constitutional rights and ensuring the safety of our communities should be a priority. I urge you to consider advocating for something like this measure and working toward making our entire state a no gun-free zone state.

Now, I do not agree with everything in the bill, but it may help us in Florida to make us a no-gun-free zone state as well.

“Your voice matters! Reach out to your representatives and stand for a safer future—let them know where you stand on the idea of a no-gun-free zone state.”


Find my Florida State Representative

https://www.flhouse.gov/FindYourRepresentative


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“Keep Americans Safe Act” – Evidence Shows Magazine Limits Do Not Reduce Crime

Wayne Thorn

I am writing to urge all of us to oppose the Keep Americans Safe Act. While I understand the intent behind this legislation, history and research show that restricting magazine capacity does not reduce crime and only infringes upon the rights of law-abiding citizens.

The Urban Institute’s 2004 report, which examined the impact of the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban (in effect from 1994 to 2004), found no measurable reduction in violent crime as a result of magazine capacity restrictions. The report concluded that “the ban’s effects on gun violence are likely to be small at best and perhaps too small for reliable measurement.” This study, along with crime data from 1990 to 2001, provides clear evidence that limiting magazine size does not deter criminals but does place unnecessary burdens on responsible gun owners.

Restricting law-abiding citizens’ access to standard-capacity magazines puts them at a disadvantage for self-defense, especially in rural areas where law enforcement response times can be significant. Criminals do not adhere to magazine restrictions, leaving responsible Americans more vulnerable to attack.

What we don’t need is passing ineffective legislation that restricts constitutional rights, what we do need is to focus on enforcing existing laws, addressing mental health issues, and targeting violent offenders. Contact your representative to please vote NO on the Keep Americans Safe Act and stand up for the Second Amendment.


Call 202-224-3121 to find your Congressional representative.


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ATF using Social Media to spy on 2A citizens

Wayne Thorn

Over the past decade, concerns have escalated regarding the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and its surveillance practices targeting Second Amendment (2A) advocates. Reports indicate that the ATF has been monitoring social media platforms and employing advanced technologies, such as facial recognition, to identify and track gun owners. This article delves into these practices, the implications for civil liberties, and the ongoing debate surrounding the ATF’s role.

ATF’s Surveillance Practices

In recent years, the ATF has expanded its surveillance capabilities by utilizing facial recognition technology (FRT). According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the ATF has accessed systems like Clearview AI and Vigilant Solutions, which aggregate billions of facial images from publicly available sources, including social media platforms. Between October 2019 and March 2022, the ATF reportedly conducted at least 549 facial recognition searches on gun owners. While the agency claimed to have halted such practices as of April 2023, subsequent reports suggest otherwise. citeturn0search1

Civil Liberties Concerns

The ATF’s surveillance activities have raised significant civil rights and privacy issues. A 2021 GAO report highlighted that the agency lacked proper oversight regarding its employees’ use of non-federal facial recognition systems. Employees initially used the technology without formal training, raising concerns about accuracy, potential misidentifications, and violations of civil liberties. The GAO emphasized that government surveillance could have a “chilling effect” on individuals exercising their First Amendment rights, and by extension, their Second Amendment rights. citeturn0search1

Congressional Scrutiny

The ATF’s actions have not gone unnoticed by lawmakers. In a 2023 hearing titled “ATF’s Assault on the Second Amendment: When is Enough Enough?”, members of Congress examined the agency’s regulatory overreach and enforcement practices. The hearing addressed concerns about the ATF’s use of surveillance technologies and its impact on law-abiding citizens exercising their constitutional rights. citeturn0search3

Public Outcry and Calls for Reform

The revelation of the ATF’s surveillance practices has led to public outcry, with many advocating for the agency’s abolition. Social media platforms have seen trending calls to dismantle the ATF and repeal certain firearm regulations. For instance, in January 2022, discussions about abolishing the ATF and repealing the National Firearms Act (NFA) gained significant traction online, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the agency’s actions.

Conclusion

The ATF’s use of social media surveillance and facial recognition technology to monitor Second Amendment advocates has sparked a national debate about privacy, civil liberties, and government overreach. As technology continues to evolve, it is imperative to balance law enforcement objectives with the protection of individual rights. Ongoing scrutiny and dialogue are essential to ensure that constitutional freedoms are upheld in the face of expanding surveillance capabilities.


Contact President Donald Trump below:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact


Here is my letter to the President

Dear President Trump,

I hope this message finds you well. As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and an advocate for the constitutional rights of American citizens, I am deeply concerned about the ongoing overreach of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Reports have surfaced for over a decade indicating that the ATF has been using social media and other digital surveillance methods to monitor and target law-abiding gun owners. This blatant disregard for privacy and constitutional freedoms is unacceptable.

The ATF has repeatedly demonstrated a pattern of overreach, entrapment, and regulatory abuse that directly infringes upon the rights of law-abiding Americans. Rather than serving to protect the people, it has become an agency that imposes arbitrary restrictions and enforces unconstitutional policies that erode our fundamental freedoms.

For these reasons, I urge you to take decisive action to abolish the ATF altogether. Its continued existence serves only to undermine the Second Amendment and burden responsible gun owners with unnecessary and unconstitutional regulations. The American people deserve better than a rogue agency that operates with little accountability and routinely oversteps its authority.

I appreciate your unwavering support for our constitutional rights and trust that you will take a strong stance against government overreach. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to seeing action taken to restore the rights and liberties of American citizens.


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Defend Veterans’ Rights: Support H.R. 1041, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act

Wayne Thorn

The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act (H.R. 1041) is a crucial piece of legislation that protects the constitutional rights of those who have served our country. If you are a veteran or a supporter of the Second Amendment, now is the time to take action and contact your representative to demand support for this bill.

What is H.R. 1041?

Currently, thousands of veterans are unjustly stripped of their gun rights simply because they have a fiduciary trustee managing their VA benefits. Under current law, if the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) appoints someone to help a veteran manage their finances, that veteran can be reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as mentally incompetent—without due process. This means that veterans, who have honorably served our country, can lose their Second Amendment rights without ever being deemed a danger to themselves or others by a judge.

The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act (H.R. 1041) seeks to correct this injustice by ensuring that no veteran is automatically placed in NICS unless a judge determines they pose a danger to themselves or others. This bill restores fairness and prevents bureaucratic overreach from unjustly infringing on veterans’ rights.

Why This Matters

  • Protects Due Process: Veterans should not lose their constitutional rights without a fair legal process.
  • Prevents Bureaucratic Overreach: The VA should not have the power to decide who can or cannot own a firearm without a judicial ruling.
  • Respects Those Who Served: Veterans fought to defend our freedoms; they should not have to fight their own government to keep their rights.

How You Can Help

H.R. 1041 needs strong support from both veterans and Second Amendment advocates. Here’s what you can do:

  1. Contact Your Representative – Call, email, or write to your congressional representative and urge them to support H.R. 1041.
  2. Spread the Word – Share this information with fellow veterans, gun rights supporters, and your community.
  3. Join Advocacy Groups – Organizations like the NRA, GOA, and VFW are fighting for veterans’ rights—consider joining them in their efforts.

Time to Act

The rights of our veterans are on the line. No veteran should be denied their Second Amendment freedoms without due process. H.R. 1041 is a common-sense bill that ensures fairness and protects the very people who fought for our freedoms.

📢 Contact your representative today and demand they support H.R. 1041!


Let’s stand up for those who stood up for us.

Call 202-224-3121 to find your Congressional representative.


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U.S. Involvement in UN Small Arms Treaty 2024 Threatens Your 2A Rights!

Wayne Thorn

The UN Small Arms Treaty 2024 is back in the spotlight, and this time, our U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield to the UN helped draft it. This is a direct threat to American gun owners and the Second Amendment, and you need to act now!

What’s Happening?

For years, the United Nations has been pushing for global gun control through international treaties aimed at restricting civilian firearm ownership. The latest version of the UN Small Arms Treaty, set for discussion in 2024, has direct U.S. involvement in its drafting—a dangerous shift that could put American gun rights at risk.

Even more concerning, USAID has been funneling money to anti-gun groups, effectively using taxpayer dollars to undermine the rights of American citizens. These funds are helping foreign and domestic organizations push anti-gun legislation that could lead to registration, restrictions, and even confiscation.

New evidence obtained by your National Association for Gun Rights suggests that American taxpayer dollars have been quietly funneled from USAID, the Tides Foundation, and other public funding sources…

…to “Control Arms” via their associated organization “Nonviolence International” – both of whom have LONG been the world’s loudest cheerleaders for the UN “Small Arms Treaty.”

banner

It is my hope that we can BLOW the lid off of this funding scheme and get to the bottom of it now, and convince Congress, President Trump, and the DOGE team to act.

Why This is Dangerous

  • International Oversight: The treaty pushes for more global oversight of civilian firearms, opening the door for international influence over U.S. gun laws.
  • Backdoor Gun Control: While it claims to target arms trafficking, past treaties have included provisions that limit private firearm ownership.
  • Taxpayer-Funded Anti-Gun Agendas: Your own money is being sent to groups actively working to strip away your rights.

How You Can Fight Back

  1. Contact Your Representatives – Demand they oppose any attempt to sign onto the UN Small Arms Treaty.
  2. Expose USAID’s Anti-Gun Funding – Call for transparency and accountability in where our tax dollars are going.
  3. Spread the Word – The media won’t cover this, so share this with fellow gun owners, veterans, and Second Amendment advocates.

Time is Running Out

The Biden administration could have used this treaty to bypass Congress, implementing new gun control measures without legislative approval. If we don’t stop this now, we could see an international framework used to restrict American gun ownership.

🚨 Call your representatives today and demand they reject the UN Small Arms Treaty! This time, our U.S. representative to the UN helped draft it. This is a direct threat to American gun owners and the Second Amendment, and you need to act now!🚨


Let’s stand up for those who stood up for us.

Call 202-224-3121 to find your Congressional Representative.


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Prohibits the use of artificial intelligence to detect firearms in public areas; provides exceptions.

Wayne Thorn

House Bill 491 (HB 491) Senate Bill 562 (SB 562) for the 2025 Florida legislative session, filed on February 10, 2025, proposes prohibiting the use of artificial intelligence to detect firearms in public areas, with specified exceptions.


Bills and there text

HOUSE BILL – HR 491 By Miller artificial intelligence to detect firearms
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/491/BillText/Filed/PDF

Use of Artificial Intelligence to Detect Firearms; Prohibits use of artificial intelligence to detect firearms in public areas; provides exceptions.

SENATE BILL SB 562 by Ingoglia- artificial intelligence to detect firearms
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/562/BillText/Filed/PDF

Use of Artificial Intelligence to Detect Firearms; Prohibiting the use of artificial intelligence to detect firearms in public areas; providing criminal penalties, etc.


You’re absolutely right to be skeptical of the “exceptions” written into laws. Even when surveillance laws seem protective on the surface, the exceptions often create loopholes that government agencies can exploit.

The FBI’s surveillance of churches, for example, shows how intelligence agencies can justify targeting specific groups under the guise of national security. Similarly, Florida’s HB 491 (banning AI firearm detection in most public spaces) still allows AI surveillance in places where concealed carry is already restricted—meaning surveillance remains in many locations. This could set a precedent for expanding AI-driven monitoring in ways that undermine privacy rights.

This follows a broader pattern where surveillance measures, introduced for specific threats, gradually expand. Consider:

  • FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) was meant for foreign threats but was later used to spy on U.S. citizens.
  • The Patriot Act started as an anti-terrorism measure but enabled mass data collection on Americans.
  • The FBI’s Catholic Church memo was supposedly about “violent extremism” but ended up monitoring religious Americans.

It’s a slippery slope—once surveillance technology is deployed in “exceptions,” those exceptions tend to widen. Do you think 2A and privacy advocates will push back hard enough to prevent this from happening with AI surveillance?

Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. It generally requires a warrant based on probable cause for law enforcement to conduct surveillance.

Text:
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

Reference: U.S. Constitution, Fourth Amendment

legiscan.com

Florida Statute § 790.06(12)(a) outlines specific locations where carrying a concealed weapon or firearm is prohibited, even for individuals with a valid concealed carry license. These locations include:

  1. Any place of nuisance as defined in § 823.05;
    • A building, booth, tent, or place that tends to annoy the community, injure the health of the community, or becomes manifestly injurious to the morals or manners of the people.
    • A house or place of prostitution, assignation, or lewdness.
    • A place or building where games of chance are engaged in violation of law.
    • A place where any law of the state is violated.
  2. Any police, sheriff, or highway patrol station;
  3. Any detention facility, prison, or jail;
  4. Any courthouse;
  5. Any courtroom, except that nothing in this section would preclude a judge from carrying a concealed weapon or determining who will carry a concealed weapon in his or her courtroom;
  6. Any polling place;
  7. Any meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or special district;
  8. Any meeting of the Legislature or a committee thereof;
  9. Any school, college, or professional athletic event not related to firearms;
  10. Any elementary or secondary school facility or administration building;
  11. Any career center;
  12. Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to such purpose;
  13. Any college or university facility unless the licensee is a registered student, employee, or faculty member of such college or university and the weapon is a stun gun or nonlethal electric weapon or device designed solely for defensive purposes and the weapon does not fire a dart or projectile;
  14. The inside of the passenger terminal and sterile area of any airport, provided that no person shall be prohibited from carrying any legal firearm into the terminal, which firearm is encased for shipment for purposes of checking such firearm as baggage to be lawfully transported on any aircraft; or
  15. Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law.

Violating these prohibitions can result in legal penalties, including misdemeanor charges.

leg.state.fl.us

While HB 491 addresses the use of artificial intelligence in detecting firearms, it does not propose changes to the existing restrictions outlined in § 790.06(12)(a). Therefore, the current prohibitions on carrying concealed weapons in specific locations remain unaffected by this bill.


Related Information

Crime Rates of CCW Permit Holders

Florida: Revocation rates for CCW permits due to crimes hover around 0.01%-0.02% annually.

In 2016, CCW permit holders were reportedly responsible for about 0.007% of all murders nationwide.

Also, U.S. citizens who use firearms in self-defense around 2.5 million times per year


We should take the following actions:

Remove gun-free zone signage: These signs effectively create open arenas for criminals, signaling where firearms are likely to be present and leaving law-abiding citizens defenseless.

Reduce restrictions for CCW permit holders: Individuals who have been vetted and issued a concealed carry license should face minimal restrictions on where they can carry their firearms. By allowing them to keep their firearms on their person rather than storing them in vehicles or vessels, we could drastically reduce the number of firearms stolen from these locations.

Criminals, by definition, do not abide by our state laws. Restrictive policies do not stop them but instead hinder law-abiding citizens’ constitutional right to bear arms and their ability to protect themselves.


Last Thought

We cannot afford to set a precedent for mass surveillance using AI. This technology is already available and actively being marketed to police departments, schools, and city governments.

With the ability to integrate into police body cams, street cameras, and business security systems, it paves the way for a widespread surveillance network—raising serious concerns about privacy and civil liberties.


Let’s stand together to protect our freedoms!

Call 202-224-3121 to find your Congressional representative.


Contact Me Below: About anything, comments on articles, questions you, may have, etc.


Stop Letting Hamas Dictate the Timing and Terms of Hostage Releases

Wayne Thorn

I just wrote this comment to President Donald Trump:

I just read the latest news about the release of two children and several deceased hostages on Tuesday, followed by six hostages on Thursday and four more slain bodies expected to be released the following week.

Why are you Trump, allowing Hamas to dictate the terms? This must stop immediately.

We still don’t even know how many American citizens are still being held hostage.

Mr. President, I believe you have the power to bring all the hostages home. Please take decisive action to make this happen.


If you’re as fed up with this as I am, take action to show Trump how frustrated you are with the handling of the hostage releases. We all want our people brought home—alive, not dead, now, not later.


Here is the link to President Trump’s contact page: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/


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ATF’s new appointment?

We must urge President Trump and our state representatives to carefully consider the appointment of the new ATF director, ensuring that the agency is led by someone who truly understands firearms, rather than another career bureaucrat or law enforcement officer who lacks firsthand expertise.

For far too long, the ATF has been driven by political agendas and regulatory overreach rather than sound, informed decision-making. Instead of appointing yet another figurehead who may enforce misguided policies, the agency needs a leader who is a true firearms expert—someone deeply knowledgeable about the mechanics, functionality, and legal landscape of firearms in America. The person in charge should not only be fluent in firearm technology and safety but also respect the rights of law-abiding gun owners and the Second Amendment.

The ATF was originally established to oversee taxation and licensing related to firearms, tobacco, and alcohol—not to arbitrarily regulate and restrict the rights of responsible citizens. Over time, however, it has strayed from this mission, increasingly imposing confusing and contradictory regulations that create legal traps for gun owners rather than ensuring public safety. A leader without true firearms expertise will only continue this trend, further eroding trust in the agency and its ability to serve the public fairly.

Recent incidents have only underscored the ATF’s lack of practical knowledge. In a widely circulated interview, an ATF official embarrassingly failed to perform a basic task—disassembling a standard Glock pistol—demonstrating a shocking lack of familiarity with the very items they seek to regulate. If agency officials cannot perform such fundamental operations, how can they be expected to craft fair and effective policies?

(Watch here: https://youtu.be/VJFlgwTRYLE)

Now more than ever, we need a strong, competent leader at the ATF—one who prioritizes facts over fear, expertise over political ideology, and constitutional rights over bureaucratic control. We must speak out, demand accountability, and ensure that the next ATF director is not just another enforcer of flawed policies but a knowledgeable advocate for responsible firearm regulation based on reality, not rhetoric.


Let’s stand together to protect our freedoms!

Call 202-224-3121 to find your Congressional representative.

Here is the link to President Trump’s contact page: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/


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Florida House Bill 1087 Storage of Firearms in Motor Vehicles or Vessels

An act relating to storage of firearms in motor 3 vehicles or vessels; creating s. 790.176, F.S.; 4 providing definitions; providing requirements for 5 storage of firearms and ammunition in motor vehicles 6 or vessels; providing criminal penalties; providing an effective date. 

Florida Bill 1087 (PDF)

Where might these individuals be seeking firearms? My initial guess would be areas displaying signs such as:

Signs for “Gun-Free Zones” often include variations of the following wording:

  1. “Gun-Free Zone”
  2. “No Firearms Allowed”
  3. “Weapons Are Prohibited on These Premises”
  4. “No Guns Allowed Beyond This Point”
  5. “The Possession of Firearms or Weapons Is Prohibited”
  6. “Pursuant to [State Code/Ordinance], Firearms Are Not Allowed Here”

These signs may also include:

  • A red circle with a diagonal slash over a gun icon.
  • Specific legal references (e.g., a state law or local ordinance).
  • Language clarifying exceptions (e.g., “Law Enforcement Personnel Exempt”).

When these signs are displayed, they signal to criminals that they face no immediate danger at this location. Additionally, they create an environment where many firearms must be stored in vehicles, providing criminals with an easy opportunity to steal weapons and act without resistance.


How many firearms are in Florida?

Registered Firearms: As of 2021, Florida had 518,725 registered firearms, ranking second in the nation behind Texas.
statista.com

Household Gun Ownership: Approximately 35.3% of adults in Florida reside in homes with guns.


How many CCW licenses are there in Florida?

As of December 31, 2024, Florida has issued approximately 2.64 million concealed weapon or firearm licenses. [fdacs.gov

This figure includes both resident and non-resident permits. Notably, Florida was the first state to surpass 2 million concealed carry permits. (usconcealedcarry.com)

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of women obtaining concealed weapons licenses in Florida. As of February 28, 2023, one-third of the license holders are women. (wusf.org)

It’s important to note that Florida enacted a permitless carry law in 2023, allowing legal residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit. Despite this, many residents continue to obtain permits, often to carry in other states with reciprocity agreements. (foxnews.com)


Comparing Crime Rates: CCW Permit Holders vs. Non-Permit Holders

Crime Rates of CCW Permit Holders

  1. Lower Crime Rates:
    • Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC):
      • CCW permit holders are among the most law-abiding citizens in the U.S.
      • In 2016, CCW permit holders were reportedly responsible for about 0.007% of all murders nationwide.
    • In states like Florida and Texas, permit holders are found to commit crimes (including violent crimes) at significantly lower rates than the general population. For example:
      • Florida: Revocation rates for CCW permits due to crimes hover around 0.01%-0.02% annually.
      • Texas: Conviction rates for CCW permit holders are about 12 times lower than those of the general population.

Crime Rates of Non-Permit Holders

  1. Higher Involvement in Crime:
    • The majority of violent crimes, including firearm-related homicides, are committed by individuals who are not licensed to carry.
    • Studies have shown that individuals without permits are more likely to obtain firearms illegally and commit crimes at much higher rates.

In my opinion, we should take the following actions:

Remove gun-free zone signage: These signs effectively create open arenas for criminals, signaling where firearms are likely to be present and leaving law-abiding citizens defenseless.

Reduce restrictions for CCW permit holders: Individuals who have been vetted and issued a concealed carry license should face minimal restrictions on where they can carry their firearms. By allowing them to keep their firearms on their person rather than storing them in vehicles or vessels, we could drastically reduce the number of firearms stolen from these locations.

    Criminals, by definition, do not abide by our state laws. Restrictive policies do not stop them but instead hinder law-abiding citizens’ constitutional right to bear arms and their ability to protect themselves.


    Let’s stand together to protect our freedoms!

    Florida Governor’s Office Contact Information:

    Phone: (850) 488-7146 to find your Florida representative


    Contact Me: About anything, comments on articles, questions you may have, etc.