For years, online activism was brushed off as meaningless noise. But that mindset is disappearing fast. According to Tiffany Coutris of Gun Owners of America (GOA), the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, is now a serious political weapon. In the latest episode of One in the Chamber, she explains how Second Amendment advocates are shaping federal policy just by showing up online.
“Remember when people used to say internet activism isn’t real activism?” Coutris asks. “Well, that’s starting to change.” And the proof is starting to pile up.
Under Trump, X Is Making Waves
GOA’s Tiffany Coutris says that during the second Trump administration, they’ve seen several actual policy shifts come straight from grassroots pressure on X. Whether it’s government agencies rolling back bad rules or public officials reversing course after online backlash, X has become a tool for more than just venting.
This is a big deal. “We’re seeing key policy and decision-makers from within the White House have their eyes trained on X,” Coutris explains. While Trump himself prefers Truth Social, many in his administration rely on X to gauge public opinion – and respond accordingly.
A Platform Rebalanced by Elon Musk
One reason this strategy is working now, Coutris says, is because Elon Musk stripped away much of the censorship that plagued the platform during the Biden years. “X has become more of a level playing field for ideas,” she explains. GOA believes this opened the door for gun owners to engage more freely, without worrying about shadowbans or deplatforming.
Even CNN admitted that X is now more representative of the American electorate than any other social media platform. Tiffany cited data showing party affiliation among regular X users split almost evenly between Republicans and Democrats. That balance makes it fertile ground for political persuasion.
Where News (and Policy) Breaks First
Coutris emphasizes that X is no longer just about memes and hot takes – it’s where major political events are unfolding first. “Biden announced his dropping out of the 2024 presidential race on X before his own staff even knew,” she says.
That level of visibility means that when a Second Amendment issue starts trending, it can catch the attention of decision-makers fast. And that visibility is being used deliberately. GOA is urging all gun owners to create X accounts and join the fight by boosting important messages and calling out lawmakers who stand in the way of gun rights.
From Online Pressure to Real Policy Shifts
You might wonder: does this really work? Coutris says yes – and offers proof. Take, for example, the nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. When Senator Joni Ernst hesitated to support the nomination, large X accounts began to pressure her publicly. Users flooded her mentions with criticism, and within a week, she changed her stance and voted in favor.
That might not seem like a Second Amendment issue at first glance. But it shows how public opinion online can shape real-world political behavior. And when that pressure is applied to gun policy? The results are even more dramatic.
Trump Signs Executive Order Protecting 2A
One of the biggest wins, Coutris says, came on February 7, when President Trump signed an executive order creating the Second Amendment Enforcement Task Force. The goal of this task force is to identify violations of the Second Amendment and correct them – a direct result, according to GOA, of online activism.
“X is emerging as a real tool for change in this way,” Coutris states. And the Justice Department has clearly taken notice. GOA and its allies have used the platform to raise awareness on individual cases, and the response from the DOJ has been surprisingly swift.
A Pistol Brace Case Gets Dropped
The DOJ recently charged a man with illegal possession of a short-barreled rifle based on the presence of a pistol brace – a clear contradiction of multiple court rulings. GOA, along with the Firearms Regulatory Policy Coalition (FRPC), sent a formal letter urging the DOJ to drop the charge.
When that didn’t work fast enough, they posted a video and shared it widely on X. Their grassroots network got involved, amplifying the message. Within days, DOJ backed down and dropped the charge. According to Coutris, “We heard that key people had seen our messaging on X.” That’s not just a win – that’s proof of influence.
The Hoover Case: A Gag Gift Becomes a Federal Felony
GOA is also pushing the DOJ to reverse its position on U.S. v. Hoover, a case involving YouTuber Matt Hoover, aka CRS Firearms. Hoover sold metal cards etched with a vague outline of a lightning link – an auto-sear device that can convert an AR-15 into a machine gun.
There’s no evidence anyone actually used the card to build a machine gun, but Hoover was still convicted of selling unregistered machine guns. Tiffany Coutris calls the conviction “an unprecedented attack on the gun community.” GOA is urging the DOJ to support vacating the ruling and is using X to rally attention around the case.
Selling Replicas Lands Navy Sailor in Prison
Another case that GOA is fighting is U.S. v. Adamiak, involving Navy sailor Patrick Tate Adamiak, who’s serving time until 2042 for selling non-functional weapon replicas and parts kits online. According to Coutris, none of the items were operational firearms. The ATF allegedly had to tamper with the items just to make them seem dangerous at trial.
Despite that, Adamiak was convicted. GOA wants the DOJ to change course, ask for the conviction to be overturned, and consider Adamiak for a presidential pardon. They’ve taken that message to X as well, urging supporters to spotlight the case.
Suppressor Possession Gets a Harsh Ruling
A third case GOA highlights is U.S. v. Peterson. George Peterson, an FFL holder, was charged with possessing an unregistered suppressor in his home. No other crimes were alleged. The Fifth Circuit upheld the charge, stating suppressors aren’t “arms” under the Second Amendment.
“That’s completely ridiculous,” Coutris says. GOA argues suppressors are indeed arms and should be protected. They’re urging the DOJ to drop its opposition to a rehearing and reconsider its stance under the Bruen decision, which demands historical justification for any firearms regulation.
This Is More Than Just Tweets
There’s something fascinating about how a few well-timed posts can shift federal action. It shows that gun owners don’t need to wait for lawsuits or rely on politicians alone. The people have power – but only if they use it. When you flood a lawmaker’s mentions, or get a DOJ staffer to read your thread, you’re playing in the same arena as lobbyists and lawyers.
The GOA’s strategy isn’t complicated. It’s grassroots, direct, and incredibly modern. They’re treating X like a digital version of town hall protests, and for now – it’s working.
Where It Goes From Here
GOA’s call to action is simple: get on X, follow their updates, and help make noise. As Coutris explains, “Until recently, the power of social media hasn’t been used to alert the administration to things they need to change or work at.” But that’s changing fast.
Whether it’s getting charges dropped, pushing for pardons, or shaping how the DOJ thinks about gun laws, X has become the new battleground for Second Amendment rights. And the more voices join in, the harder it becomes for those in power to ignore.
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.