Gun Owners of America (GOA) has brought to light a government surveillance operation targeting law-abiding gun owners online. Ben Sanderson, host of Minuteman Moment, detailed how a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, submitted in 2020, finally yielded a revealing 35-page ATF document in late 2024. The document confirms that, for over a decade, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has been systematically monitoring social media platforms, gun forums, and message boards.
Five Years for the Truth to Come Out
GOA’s FOIA request sought information on whether the ATF was tracking online discussions about firearms. The lengthy delay in obtaining these records – nearly five years – raises concerns about transparency. Sanderson highlighted that the documents not only confirm long-standing suspicions but also reveal the agency’s deep involvement in observing both legal and illegal firearm-related discussions. The ATF’s activities include monitoring posts and cataloging information from public forums, even when no wrongdoing is detected.
The Internet Investigations Center and “Threat Indicators”
Jared Yanis of Guns & Gadgets 2nd Amendment News expanded on the ATF’s Internet Investigations Center (IIC), the division responsible for scanning online platforms for so-called “threat indicators.” The problem, as Yanis pointed out, is the lack of a clear definition of what constitutes a threat. The ATF’s surveillance includes everything from social media posts to forum discussions, and once a “threat” is identified – even if the individual is found to be acting lawfully – monitoring can still continue.
Monitoring Law-Abiding Citizens “Just in Case”
One of the most alarming revelations in GOA’s findings is that the ATF continues to surveil individuals even after determining they pose no legitimate risk. Sanderson criticized this approach, questioning why an agency tasked with preventing crime would invest resources into monitoring innocent citizens. This is where the agency’s behavior begins to resemble political overreach rather than criminal enforcement.
Gun Forums, Facebook, and the “Deep Web”
According to the documents obtained by GOA, the ATF considers widely used sites like Reddit, Facebook, Craigslist, and major gun forums – including AR15.com – as part of the so-called “Deep Web.” The classification itself is misleading, as these sites are publicly accessible, yet the ATF still claims their activities require heightened scrutiny. Sanderson noted that the agency even categorized different types of Facebook groups based on their privacy settings, illustrating a clear intent to monitor conversations at all levels.
Privacy Equals Suspicion?
Perhaps the most baffling statement in the ATF’s internal records is the claim that the more anonymity a firearms purchaser seeks, the greater the likelihood that their transaction is illegal. Sanderson called this conclusion “ridiculous,” pointing out that federal law has explicitly protected gun owners’ privacy since 1986, when Congress banned national gun registries. The ATF’s insistence that privacy equates to wrongdoing flies in the face of long-established legal protections.
Misstating the Law to Justify Surveillance
The ATF’s own document contains troubling misinterpretations of firearm laws. Yanis highlighted that the agency lists only four “legitimate” types of firearm transactions, all involving Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs). However, this omits lawful private sales between individuals, which remain fully legal under federal law. By ignoring the legality of private sales, the ATF appears to be laying the groundwork to push for more regulations, further infringing on gun owners’ rights.
The Role of Nicholas Speranza Jr.
A familiar name surfaced in the ATF’s records – Nicholas Speranza Jr., an ATF intelligence specialist. Sanderson connected him to previous GOA legal battles, particularly against the agency’s “zero-tolerance” FFL revocations. Speranza was directly involved in a case where an FFL was nearly shut down due to what GOA describes as illegal harassment by the ATF. That same individual’s involvement in the social media monitoring effort suggests a broader pattern of overreach within the agency.
Weaponizing the ATF Against the Public
Both Sanderson and Yanis emphasized that the ATF’s activities do not appear to be focused on violent crime or illegal firearm trafficking but rather on tracking and intimidating gun owners. This raises serious constitutional concerns about the erosion of both First and Second Amendment rights. If the ATF is monitoring social media users simply for discussing their rights, it signals a shift toward suppressing lawful gun ownership through surveillance and fear tactics.
Are Your Posts Being Used Against You?
One of the most disturbing takeaways from the FOIA revelations is the ATF’s apparent disdain for online privacy. Yanis highlighted how the agency mocks gun owners who wish to keep their firearm ownership private, implying that such individuals are either criminals or attempting to evade government oversight. This mentality is dangerous – it suggests that law-abiding citizens are being treated as potential threats simply for exercising their rights.
What Happens Next?
With a new presidential administration promising to rein in overreaching government agencies, Sanderson and Yanis both called for action against the ATF’s surveillance programs. The exposure of these documents provides gun rights advocates with a crucial opportunity to demand accountability. Transparency and oversight are critical, and as Yanis put it, it’s now up to elected officials to decide whether the ATF will be curtailed – or allowed to continue its aggressive monitoring of the gun community.
Why This Matters
Beyond the immediate concerns for gun owners, this case highlights a broader issue: government surveillance without clear oversight. If an agency can monitor social media posts of law-abiding citizens without cause, what’s to stop further expansion into other constitutionally protected activities? The GOA’s revelations serve as a reminder that unchecked power can quickly lead to abuse. The question now is whether anything will be done to stop it.
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.