In a series of detailed reports by William of gun rights YouTube channel Copper Jacket TV, the public has learned that federal agencies may have been secretly monitoring lawful gun owners across state lines – triggering a formal investigation by U.S. Senator Rand Paul. The revelation comes from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by Gun Owners of America (GOA).
The documents, which were accidentally sent unredacted, exposed a coordinated data-sharing program between the FBI, ATF, and state governments like California. According to William, this program allowed federal agents to track private Second Amendment activity for up to 180 days – regardless of whether that activity was legal in the state it occurred.
The NICS Monitoring System: A Hidden Surveillance Tool
The program centers on the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) – a federal system run by the FBI. While originally designed to flag criminal background issues during gun purchases, the system was allegedly used by federal agencies to help California monitor its residents’ gun activities even when they were out of state. “This is absolutely out of control,” William said, warning viewers that the government was using federal systems to help states enforce unconstitutional firearm laws outside their jurisdiction.
California’s Long Arm Reaches Across State Lines
The FOIA documents revealed how California law enforcement and DOJ officials would enter residents’ names into the federal NICS monitoring system. If the person attempted to buy a firearm out of state, the FBI would notify California, which could then pursue enforcement action under state laws – even though the purchase itself may have been completely legal in the state where it occurred. “It’s like California is acting like a national government,” William explained in his video, calling the scheme a violation of both state sovereignty and individual rights.
Senator Rand Paul Launches Investigation
In response to the bombshell, Senator Rand Paul sent a formal letter on April 10th, 2025, to ATF Acting Director Daniel Driscoll. The letter, displayed and read aloud by William, demands original, unredacted copies of records related to the monitoring program. Paul specifically wants data on how many people were tracked, for how long, and for what reasons. He also asked for documentation on any potential legal justifications – or lack thereof – used to defend the surveillance, as well as any misuse or abuse by agency personnel.
Years of Secret Surveillance?
This isn’t a new program. In an earlier video by Copper Jacket TV, William emphasized that this system had been in place for years. He said that it appears to have originated under a previous administration, but is still active today. “It looks like they’ve been doing this since at least 2020,” William stated, adding that “the ATF even tried to block the release of the documents once they realized what they’d done.” The program wasn’t just an overstep – it was something that had been deliberately hidden from the public.
Unconstitutional Enforcement of State Laws
One of the most serious issues raised by William and the GOA is the idea that federal agencies were enforcing state gun laws that don’t exist at the national level. For example, California’s Penal Code 30600, which bans so-called “assault weapons,” was listed in the documents as a justification for NICS monitoring. Yet, there is no such federal ban, and several other states – including Nevada, Texas, and Arizona – have no equivalent restrictions. “Why should California have any say in what you do in another state?” William asked.
Personal Data Shared Without Consent
The forms used in this program asked for personally identifying information, such as name, date of birth, and address. Once submitted, the information could be used to track a person’s gun purchases for up to six months. According to William, that’s a blatant intrusion into personal privacy. “This should terrify anyone who believes in the Bill of Rights,” he said. “Even if you’re doing everything legally, the government is still watching you – and reporting back.”
New Leadership, Old Problems
William acknowledged that there has been a change in leadership at both the FBI and the ATF. With Patel now heading the FBI and Driscoll at the helm of the ATF, there is hope that these agencies will cooperate with the investigation and allow the truth to come out. Still, William warned viewers not to expect too much too soon. “I don’t have high hopes that anyone will be held accountable,” he said, “but at the very least, we might be able to stop this practice from continuing.”
How Does This Happen in America?
Perhaps the most shocking element of this story is how quietly it unfolded. It wasn’t exposed by a watchdog agency or a whistleblower, but by pure accident – a bureaucratic oversight in redacting a FOIA release. “We were never supposed to see this,” William pointed out. “That should scare you. It means there could be other programs out there that we don’t know about yet.” If the GOA hadn’t filed the FOIA request – and if someone at the ATF hadn’t forgotten to hit the black marker – this might never have come to light.
State Surveillance by Proxy
It’s hard not to see this for what it is: state surveillance by proxy. States like California appear to be using federal muscle to enforce local laws beyond their own borders. That’s not just a legal gray area – it’s a full-on constitutional crisis. Imagine if Texas started using federal systems to track out-of-state abortions, or if New York monitored residents visiting states with different COVID rules. It’s the same idea, and it’s dangerous no matter what side of the issue you’re on.
The Role of Gun Owners of America
None of this would have come to light without the persistent work of Gun Owners of America. William repeatedly credited them for digging up the documents, explaining the content, and distributing them to the public. “GOA deserves a ton of credit,” he said. “They’re the reason this is even on Congress’s radar.” In an age where the ATF and FBI are often painted as untouchable, GOA’s work reminds us that transparency and accountability still matter.
Eyes on April 24th
Senator Paul gave the ATF until April 24th, 2025, to respond with the requested documents. What comes next could shape the conversation around gun rights and federal overreach for years to come. For now, the most important thing is awareness. As William urged, “Share this story. Talk about it. Make a big enough stink that they can’t ignore it anymore.” This is more than just about guns – it’s about whether the federal government has the right to watch you when you cross state lines, just because your home state doesn’t like what you’re doing.
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 writes about homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Whether it’s canning vegetables or setting up a rainwater harvesting system, Lisa’s goal is to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.