Gun Owners of America (GOA) has released alarming new findings that reveal how the FBI and ATF have been secretly monitoring law-abiding gun owners. In a recent Minuteman Moment episode hosted by Ben Sanderson, GOA detailed how the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) – meant to quickly verify gun buyers – has been weaponized to enforce California’s controversial assault weapons ban.
But it doesn’t stop there. The surveillance is happening at the federal level to help enforce state-level laws, many of which are arguably unconstitutional. According to Sanderson, this type of data collection is happening without judicial oversight, without the public’s knowledge, and without any valid federal criminal basis.
How the NICS Monitoring Scheme Works
Normally, when a person buys a gun through a licensed dealer, their background check data is supposed to be deleted by the FBI within 24 hours after approval. But GOA’s FOIA documents, as described by Sanderson, reveal that this isn’t always happening. Instead, a hidden program known as “NICS Monitoring” allows law enforcement – including federal agents – to track the gun-buying habits of people for up to six months, and possibly longer if they request an extension. The monitored individual is never notified, and no warrant is needed. According to Sanderson, this means a perfectly lawful gun owner could be watched by federal authorities simply because they bought a gun in another state.
Tracking Californians Beyond State Borders
William from Copper Jacket TV broke down how the DOJ and FBI are helping the California Department of Justice enforce Penal Code 30600, which bans so-called “assault weapons.” Thanks to GOA’s FOIA requests, it’s now clear that federal agencies are relaying information about Californians’ out-of-state gun purchases back to California authorities. William pointed out that this goes far beyond what the federal background check system was designed for. “There is no federal ban on these guns,” he said. “So why is the FBI helping California police its citizens in Nevada or Texas or any other free state?”
Monitoring for State Offenses, Not Federal Crimes
What GOA uncovered is that the FBI is using NICS data to track potential violations of state laws – not federal ones. This distinction matters. According to Langley Outdoors Academy, hosted by Braden Langley, this system enables federal law enforcement to monitor a Californian’s activity even when they’re legally buying firearms in other states. These activities, legal under federal law, become a basis for California to take punitive action once the gun owner returns to their home state. Langley emphasized that this is not California enforcement – it’s federal enforcement for state policy.
The Paper Trail: Documents Don’t Lie
Langley showed screenshots of the actual FBI monitoring forms, revealing a request system that allows law enforcement to list state penal codes like 30600, 30605, and others related to “assault weapon” violations. These forms are sent to the NICS Monitoring Service, which then alerts California law enforcement if the monitored subject attempts a gun purchase anywhere in the country. Langley stressed that this data collection has nothing to do with fighting federal crime and everything to do with backing California’s anti-gun agenda.
Unjustified Surveillance Triggers Outrage
Sanderson highlighted several absurd justifications federal agents have used for targeting individuals. One person was flagged for buying a shotgun during the George Floyd riots – on the assumption that they might use it for rioting. Another person was reportedly surveilled because the FBI believed her income was too low to justify gun ownership. And yet another was monitored for the apparent “crime” of buying, modifying, and selling firearms as a hobby. These examples, Sanderson explained, are evidence of the government targeting people based on lifestyle or assumptions, not crimes.
Federal Agencies Caught Enforcing State Gun Bans
Langley argued that this crosses a dangerous line. “It’s not California tracking gun owners across state lines. It’s the FBI and ATF doing California’s bidding,” he said. These are federal agencies, supposedly tasked with enforcing federal laws, now helping individual states carry out their own gun control agendas. This practice, Langley warned, sets a dangerous precedent: if the FBI can enforce California’s laws using federal databases, what’s stopping them from doing the same for New York, Illinois, or any other state with restrictive policies?
A Federal Database, State-Level Consequences
One key document cited by all three sources includes a section that makes it crystal clear: if a subject listed in a NICS monitoring request attempts to buy a firearm, the FBI will notify the requestor – often California DOJ – within four hours. That means even if someone legally buys a gun in Arizona, if they live in California, the FBI sends an alert to California law enforcement. The federal government is effectively tracking citizens nationwide to enforce regional bans. This directly contradicts the intended use of NICS as a background check – not a long-term surveillance tool.
No Warrant, No Review, No Oversight
The worst part, according to GOA, is the complete lack of legal accountability. There is no court order, no public notice, and no internal oversight required to launch a NICS monitoring request. William from Copper Jacket TV emphasized how disturbing this is: “These records are supposed to be destroyed after 24 hours unless something flags a legitimate issue. Instead, the FBI is hanging onto them and using them to monitor people who haven’t broken any federal laws.” GOA is calling this “data surveillance without due process.”
GOA’s Fight for Privacy and Freedom
Gun Owners of America has vowed to continue fighting against what they call a “rogue and unconstitutional program.” Sanderson explained that GOA is pressing the FBI for more answers and demanding that the agency shut down this shadowy monitoring operation. He called for FBI Director Cash Patel to account for the surveillance, especially since it appears to have no legal basis under federal law. GOA is also using its platforms to raise awareness, urging the public to get involved and call for congressional action.
A Quiet Expansion of Government Power
This isn’t just about one state or one law – it’s about the slow creep of federal agencies exceeding their authority. When a surveillance system designed to keep guns out of criminals’ hands is repurposed to track law-abiding citizens for buying legal products, something is deeply broken. It’s a story that shows how easily federal infrastructure can be bent toward political ends, especially when cooperation with aggressive states like California is treated as normal. Even if you don’t live in California, this should worry you.
Privacy Shouldn’t Be a Political Issue
Gun ownership aside, there’s a broader principle here: constitutional rights don’t end at state lines, and they certainly shouldn’t be violated by secret data tracking. Whether you’re a firearm enthusiast or just someone who values civil liberties, the idea that federal law enforcement is working behind closed doors to enforce state bans using federal tools ought to concern everyone. This isn’t just about the Second Amendment – it touches the Fourth Amendment, due process, and the very idea of federalism.
An Urgent Call for Accountability
The revelations from Gun Owners of America are more than just disturbing – they’re a warning. The NICS system, originally sold to the American people as a tool for public safety, is now being quietly turned into a nationwide monitoring apparatus. With no public debate, no congressional vote, and no warrants, the FBI and ATF are enforcing state laws using federal reach. If unchecked, this could open the door to mass surveillance for any state that asks – and that’s not just a Second Amendment issue. That’s a freedom issue.
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.