According to William, the host of Copper Jacket TV, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has once again shown where it stands – and it’s not on the side of gun owners. In a recent video, 2025, William revealed that the DOJ under Attorney General Pam Bondi has filed a legal brief opposing Missouri’s Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA), continuing a federal push against pro-gun state laws that began under the Biden administration.
For many Second Amendment advocates, this news is not only disappointing – it feels like a betrayal. A new administration was supposed to shift gears, but instead, it appears the DOJ is still steering in the same direction.
What Is the Second Amendment Preservation Act?
Missouri’s Second Amendment Preservation Act is a bold state-level response to federal overreach. As William explains, the law essentially says Missouri will not assist the federal government in enforcing gun control laws that infringe on the rights of law-abiding citizens.
The law includes penalties for state or local officials who help the feds enforce what Missouri sees as unconstitutional firearm restrictions. It’s an act of state resistance – one that quickly became a target for legal challenges.
Hope for Change Under Bondi Falls Flat
When President Trump returned to office in 2024 and appointed Pam Bondi as Attorney General, many in the gun rights community had high hopes. William noted that expectations were set for a dramatic shift away from Merrick Garland’s aggressively anti-2A stance.
But those hopes have been fading fast. “I was just hoping for better,” William said, clearly frustrated that the Bondi-led DOJ is continuing to attack pro-gun state laws like SAPA instead of defending them.
The Legal Fight Reaches the Supreme Court
The battle over Missouri’s SAPA law has now reached the U.S. Supreme Court, and William was quick to highlight the significance of this. Missouri had asked the high court to hear the case after federal courts sided with the DOJ, declaring SAPA unconstitutional in its entirety.
Gun Owners of America and even the state of Nevada filed briefs supporting Missouri’s right to pass and enforce the law. But on June 10, 2025, the DOJ filed a 17-page opposition brief asking the Supreme Court not to take the case. Their conclusion? “The petition for writ of certiorari should be denied.”
DOJ Still Fighting the States
William expressed disbelief that the DOJ is still trying to crush state efforts to protect constitutional rights. “They are still fighting to overturn the Second Amendment Preservation Act,” he said. This isn’t just a continuation of Biden-era legal fights – it’s an intentional choice by Bondi’s DOJ to stick with policies many thought were on their way out.
This stance runs counter to the message that gun owners were expecting from a supposedly more pro-Second Amendment administration. “We haven’t seen anything major,” William admitted, reflecting on the lack of bold moves since Bondi took over.
Missouri Is Already Planning Its Next Move
Despite the DOJ’s efforts, Missouri is not backing down. William shared that the state has already introduced a new version of the Second Amendment Preservation Act, slightly altered, but with the same goal of shielding citizens from federal gun control.
That backup plan shows just how serious Missouri lawmakers are about this fight. If the Supreme Court declines to hear the case, they’re ready to go right back to work with a fresh bill that may be harder for federal courts to challenge.
Why the DOJ’s Opposition Matters
For many, the most troubling part of this story is what it says about the DOJ’s current mindset. As William put it, “They still don’t support the Second Amendment when a state’s just trying to protect their citizens.”
By asking the Supreme Court not to take the case, the DOJ is sending a message: states have no business standing in the way of federal firearm enforcement, even if that enforcement violates their residents’ constitutional rights. That position undermines both federalism and the right to bear arms.
This Feels Like a Broken Promise
It’s hard to watch the DOJ under new leadership continue on a path that was so widely condemned just a year ago. When President Trump returned to office, many thought this was the start of a new chapter for gun rights. The appointment of Bondi, while not universally praised, was supposed to mark a shift in tone and strategy.
Instead, what we’re seeing is legal inertia – or worse, political cowardice. William’s frustration is justified. This was the moment for the DOJ to support states like Missouri in reclaiming ground lost during the Biden years. And yet, they folded.
The Supreme Court’s Mixed Record on 2A
Another frustrating point William brings up is how inconsistent the Supreme Court has been on Second Amendment cases. “The Supreme Court has not been taking Second Amendment cases,” he said, pointing to a trend where major 2A issues are ignored or delayed.
Even though landmark rulings like Bruen and Heller exist, lower courts and the DOJ often act as if they don’t. And when the Supreme Court declines to clarify or reinforce its own precedents, it sends the signal that Second Amendment rights are somehow second class.
What’s Next for the SAPA Case?
The big question now is whether the Supreme Court will agree to hear Missouri’s SAPA appeal. If it does, the justices would have a chance to weigh in on the balance between federal and state authority when it comes to enforcing gun laws.
If the Court sides with the DOJ and refuses to take the case, Missouri will likely pass its revised SAPA bill. But that won’t solve the larger issue – states need clarity, and so do millions of gun owners who are caught between federal mandates and state-level resistance.
Gun Owners Must Stay Vigilant
William closed his video with a simple reminder: “I expected better. Or maybe I was just hoping for better.” His disappointment is echoed by many in the 2A community who feel abandoned by a government that promised to do better.
This case is a wake-up call. Regardless of who’s in charge, the battle to protect the Second Amendment isn’t won with elections alone. It takes pressure, participation, and persistence from citizens, state lawmakers, and legal advocates alike.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.