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Gun Owners of America’s Erich Pratt took his message straight to Capitol Hill this past week, delivering pointed testimony before the Senate on what he described as ongoing threats to the Second Amendment. Chief among them, a massive federal gun owner database.
Speaking before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Pratt got straight to the point. He argued that what the ATF has built is effectively a national registry in everything but name.
“In 2021, GOA exposed that the Biden administration had accumulated 54 million gun owner records in a single year,” Pratt told lawmakers.
He went further, citing ATF admissions that the database has grown to nearly 1 billion records, with roughly 94% already digitized, making it searchable and, in his view, vulnerable to abuse.
“This is gun owner registration, pure and simple,” Pratt said.
That concern framed much of his testimony. Pratt repeatedly warned that such a database could be used as a roadmap for future confiscation efforts.
“That is a confiscation list waiting to be used,” he told the committee. He cited historical examples both in the United States and abroad.
Pratt specifically referenced past actions in places like New York City, where firearm registration efforts were later followed by bans and enforcement actions. As well as international examples like Australia and Venezuela.
Beyond the registry issue, Pratt also criticized the continued defense of Biden-era firearm regulations, including the pistol brace rule and the ATF’s “engaged in the business” rule, noting that legal challenges are still ongoing.
“The fact that a Republican DOJ is still defending Biden-era gun rules… should tell us everything,” he said.
Pratt urged Congress to take direct legislative action. They could back proposals like the No Registry Rights Act, which would require the destruction of the database entirely.
He also emphasized what he described as measurable differences between lawful gun owners and criminals. He told senators that concealed carry permit holders “commit crimes at a lower rate than the police,” while noting that armed citizens stop a significant share of mass shootings in areas where carry is allowed.
At its core, Pratt’s message was straightforward: the Second Amendment, he argued, is under pressure not just from legislation. But from bureaucratic systems that track and regulate lawful ownership. It’s time to shut down the ATF’s de facto gun registry.
“Right now, our rights are under attack by databases, by bureaucrats, and by government attorneys,” he said.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
– Licensed Bowhunter, Hunter, and Trapper – Experienced in ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.
