Gun Owners of America met in Knoxville to discuss the Second Amendment, firearms, and how to protect them both.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.—At the Gun Owners of America’s (GOA) second annual Gun Owners Advocacy and Leadership Summit in Knoxville, Tennessee—held Aug. 9 to 10—one GOA official told The Epoch Times that the organization is committed to abolishing the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934.

While the 1934 law regulating fully automatic firearms and other devices was substantially neutered in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump on July 4, GOA leaders said their work was not done.

Erich Pratt, GOA senior vice president, said the Trump administration has, on balance, supported the Second Amendment.

Pratt said much of the Biden administration’s gun control agenda has been reversed and that gun rights activists are busily working to expand Second Amendment rights. He said this work includes litigation, lobbying, and educating the public.

At the event, GOA speakers held up the recent changes to the NFA as a major victory for Second Amendment advocates, but added that their fight is not over.

“Well, what I would tell people is you can never be complacent. We always have to be vigilant. Otherwise, that’s when we lose our liberties,” Pratt told The Epoch Times.

GOA Director of Federal Affairs Aidan Johnston said the backstory of the NFA lawsuit that was filed by various gun groups against the Act is a clear example of the challenges that pro-gun activists face.

He said Second Amendment proponents wanted suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and “any other weapons” removed from the NFA.

However, there was little appetite—even among Republicans—to make such significant changes.

“So we had to spend months behind the scenes fighting,” Johnston said during a panel discussion. “Republicans could have done it the easy way, but they picked the hard way.”

Ultimately, Second Amendment advocates were able to have the items removed from the NFA and the $200 tax reduced to zero. Johnston said this set the stage for lawsuits that have been filed to declare the NFA unconstitutional.

The Epoch Times reached out to gun control organizations for comment, but they did not respond by publication time.

Gun control groups have opposed altering the NFA. In online statements, at least one gun control group was happy that the items would continue to be regulated, even though the tax was essentially removed. John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, warned that abolishing the NFA would make America more dangerous.

“In good news for law enforcement and bad news for criminals, silencers, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and other dangerous weapons will continue to be regulated,” Feinblatt wrote on the Moms Demand Action website on June 27 after the Senate Parliamentarian ruled that language in the One Big Beautiful Bill removing those guns from the NFA violated the Byrd Rule. “Now, lawmakers must ensure similar provisions to undermine our gun safety laws remain out of the final bill.”

Pratt said litigation is only one route the GOA is taking. He said the group is equipping its members to communicate their message.

Brandon Herrera, a Second Amendment social media influencer, addressed students during the 2A Defender Student Luncheon at the summit. The YouTuber told the group that they could play a key role in addressing the claims of gun control groups at a time and place when most people are forming their opinions and beliefs.

Herrera said it is their job to educate their fellow students. He advised students to join a political group on campus. In addition to resources, he said political groups such as Turning Point or Young Americans for Liberty can provide support when support might be in short supply.

“At the end of the day, you’re connecting yourself with like-minded individuals. And on a college campus, like-minded individuals [can be] kind of hard to find,” Herrera said.

He added that it’s also important to keep the debate in perspective.

He said he knew discussion and debate could get heated. He pointed out that many of the founders paid a much higher price.

“Our Founding Fathers had to shoot guys. You have to talk to a blue-hair on a college campus. You can do it. I believe in you,” Herrera said.

Nico Gonzalez is co-chair of the 2A Defenders and oversees the Gun Owners Foundation’s work on college campuses. He said it is vital that young people learn the importance of standing up for their constitutional rights early.

According to Gonzalez, college campuses have become echo chambers for gun control and other progressive causes.

He said 2A Defenders will provide resources and support, including a speakers’ bureau, for student groups on campus.

“You don’t have to be the loudest in the room, but you do have to be equipped. And that’s what 2A Defenders is here to do,” Gonzalez said.

The GOA also announced an initiative toward the Hispanic community.

Fuerza 2A is dedicated to supporting Hispanic gun owners across the nation, according to an announcement on the GOA website.

The initiative will be led by Chair Alisabet Valdes and Co-Chair Luis Valdes, who say the Second Amendment is the universal right to self-defense, not just a constitutional right.

The announcement stated that many Hispanic immigrants fled countries in which such a right was not guaranteed.

“As an Afro Latina raised in Puerto Rico. I’ve seen the devastating impact of unconstitutional gun control—rising crime, fear, and people left without the ability to defend themselves. The right to self-defense has no language, and we must stand united in protecting our Second Amendment rights,” Alisabet Valdes said in a statement.

Chris Stone, GOA’s director of state and local Affairs, told the gathering in Knoxville that they are key to the organization’s success. He said that politicians sometimes listen to special interest groups but that those groups usually don’t speak as loudly as voters do.

“Ultimately, what we’re talking about is the power of volunteering your time, the power of volunteering your talent, your treasure, your personality. It’s about how we get more involved in the political process to make a difference,” Stone said.