Tag: citizens

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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

Contact me below about anything, comments on articles, questions you may have, etc. 

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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.

Contact me below about anything, comments on articles, questions you may have, etc. 

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2A Rights that need to be handled in 2025

Wayne Thorn

Fellow Patriot,

As we enter 2025, it is absolutely vital for Second Amendment supporters to maintain our momentum.

We must:

  • Block any Congressional gun control “deals,”
  • Go on the offense with bold pro-gun rights legislation, and
  • Keep fighting in the courts to eliminate all so-called “Assault Weapons” bans once and for all.

We must remain vigilant and actively engage with both the Senate and the House of Representatives to ensure our voices are heard loud and clear. It’s our responsibility as American citizens to communicate exactly what we expect from our elected officials—to urge them to support and prioritize the policies and actions that align with the will of the people.

This requires each and every one of us to take initiative. We need to articulate our concerns, goals, and expectations directly to our representatives. Whether it’s through phone calls, emails, letters, or town hall meetings, consistent and unified communication is the key to holding them accountable and driving the action we want to see.

Our collective efforts can make a significant impact, but only if we work together and make our voices impossible to ignore. It’s not just about advocacy—it’s about shaping the future we want for our country.

Check out the latest list of 119th Congress bills impacting the Second Amendment community by visiting this link: https://gunrights.org/bill-watch/ (FREE)

EXAMPLE EMAIL

Dear {Representative},

These bills pose significant challenges and opportunities for the Second Amendment community. I urge you to oppose any measures that threaten our rights and to support legislation that upholds and strengthens our constitutional freedoms.

Visit the website to view the list of bills and our recommended actions for each one.

https://gunrights.org/bill-watch/

Thank you for standing with us in support of our constitutional right to bear arms.

Be sure to sign it and include any personal comments or thoughts you’d like to share.

Let’s stand together to protect our freedoms!

Call 202-224-3121 to find your representative.

Contact Me: [email protected]

About anything, comments to articles, questions you may have, etc.

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Prioritize the needs of our citizens above all else

Wayne Thorn

This is a comparison of the assistance the U.S. government provides to foreign countries and illegal immigrants versus the support available for U.S. citizens.

US Government Assistance to Foreign Countries (So far for this year 2024)

$24,400,000,000 to Ukraine.
$11,300,000,000 to Israel.
$1,950,000,000 to Ethiopia.
$1,600,000,000 to Jordan.
$1,400,000,000 to Egypt.
$1,100,000,000 to Afghanistan.
$1,100,000,000 to Somalia.
$1,000,000,000 to Yemen.
$987,000,000 to Congo.
$896,000,000 to Syria.

Total: $45,733,000,000

(For financial support, military aid, food assistance, and health programs)

US Government Assistance for Illegal Immigrant

$129,600,000,000,000,000 to illegal immigrant ($9,000 per illegal immigrant that has entered the U.S. from January- June 2024 current estimates 1.44 million according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

(For Food Assistance, Clothing Assistance, Counseling Services, Health Insurance, Employment Support, Housing Assistance, Public Education, Adult Education, Immigration Legal Services, Phone and service)

US Government most recent Assistance for American Citizens

$3,750,000,000 to approximately 5 million people (Americans who have lost everything to Hurricane Helene will be getting $750, courtesy of FEMA)

$11,000,000,000 for approximately 33,000 Homeless Veterans (For housing, health care, and supportive services)

$3,700,000,000 for approximately 580,000 General Homeless (For shelter, medical care, or long-term housing solutions)

Total: $17,600,000,000

My Thoughts

Our country is currently facing significant challenges, including rising costs for food, gas, electricity, and housing. It’s essential that we prioritize the needs of our nation and its citizens above all else, ensuring they have the resources necessary to lead fulfilling lives and support their families. It seems we have lost our way in this regard.

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More than 1 million guns were stolen from private citizens from 2017 to 2021

stolen guns

Wayne Thorn

A huge way those legally purchased firearms get into the hands of criminals is through theft, the ATF said. In five years, there were more than 1 million firearms stolen from private citizens and reported to authorities.

There’s a caveat here, however. Federal law doesn’t require individual gun owners to report the loss or theft of their firearms to the police. And while local laws vary, it also isn’t a requirement in many states to report a stolen gun, either — so the number of gun thefts could be much higher.

Regardless, Nichols, with Giffords, called this number “horrifying.”

“It shows that we really have a serious problem with guns that are not being stored safely in order to prevent this,” she said.

Research done in recent years has emphasized the importance of safely storing guns.

Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, reports that “households that locked both firearms and ammunition were associated with a 78 percent lower risk of self-inflicted firearm injuries and an 85 percent lower risk of unintentional firearm injuries among children and teens, compared to those that locked neither.”

But state laws vary widely on mandates for secure storage.

This new data from the ATF can further educate policymakers on the need for regulations mandating safe storage, Nichols said.

Roughly 4.6 million children live in a home with loaded and unlocked firearms, studies have shown.

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UVALDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING

The U.S. is uniquely terrible at protecting children from gun violence

And over 80% of mass shooters at K-12 schools stole guns from family members, according to research funded by the National Institute of Justice (a program of the U.S. Justice Department) that examined mass shootings that took place from 1966 to 2019.