Chief editor of the Second Amendment Foundation's Investigative Journalism Project. Recovering newspaperman, tactical shooter, Army vet, ex-LEO, 1*, Rum snob.
Sarasota
Joined February 2013
- Tweets23.8K
- Following8.9K
- Followers8.8K
- Likes36K
Lee Williams retweeted
They fail in their oaths to support and defend the U.S. Constitution. #Guns #2A @NSSF @SN_Weekly_ @HT_GunWriter shootingnewsweekly.com/gun-c…
Lee Williams retweeted
This needs to be fixed!
After spending nearly FOUR YEARS in federal prison for committing no crime, I’ve learned patience. But patience has its limits.
They were quick to arrest me. Quick to raid my home. Quick to seize my property. Quick to strip me of my Freedom and Constitutional rights.
Yet nearly TWO MONTHS after receiving a FULL and UNCONDITIONAL Presidential Pardon, I’m still being denied the ability to purchase a firearm.
The government wasted no time taking my rights. Why is it taking so long to restore them?
Every day I’m wrongfully denied the ability to exercise my God-given Second Amendment rights is another day my Constitutional rights are being violated.
JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED.
Thank you, Lee Williams @HT_GunWriter , for exposing this continued government overreach.
Lee Williams retweeted
New Investigative Journalism Project Article by @HT_GunWriter! "As arsonists, rioters and looters swarmed the streets of Paris Sunday night, French police were completely ineffective and President Emmanuel Macron and his wife were off attending a concert, which featured Céline Dion.
Well-planned rioting and thievery are taking place throughout France and other European countries. Some say the actions are coordinated by the extreme far left and will continue unabated. France is still six months away from its next presidential election.
Europe is on fire.
Its victims are on their own.
Extreme anti-gun laws throughout the continent have helped fuel the fires.
France has some of the strictest anti-gun laws in the world.
For a permit to purchase a “sporting arm”—not a handgun or a semi-automatic rifle—the applicant must be 18 years old and possess a valid hunting license or a shooting club membership. The applicant must also have completed and passed a medical exam, a mental health exam, an extensive criminal background check and government-approved firearm safety training.
Once they’ve completed all of these legal requirements, they are required to submit an application to their local police. This alone can take months or even years. Many applicants have been rejected for no reason.
Even if they manage to pass the requirements and purchase a firearm, concealed carry is outlawed. Gun safes are required. Ammunition must be stored separately, and law enforcement can conduct an in-home inspection whenever they want..."
Read the full article here: saf.org/europe-on-fire-prove…
Lee Williams retweeted
After spending nearly FOUR YEARS in federal prison for committing no crime, I’ve learned patience. But patience has its limits.
They were quick to arrest me. Quick to raid my home. Quick to seize my property. Quick to strip me of my Freedom and Constitutional rights.
Yet nearly TWO MONTHS after receiving a FULL and UNCONDITIONAL Presidential Pardon, I’m still being denied the ability to purchase a firearm.
The government wasted no time taking my rights. Why is it taking so long to restore them?
Every day I’m wrongfully denied the ability to exercise my God-given Second Amendment rights is another day my Constitutional rights are being violated.
JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED.
Thank you, Lee Williams @HT_GunWriter , for exposing this continued government overreach.
Presidential pardon recipients still barred from buying guns
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has denied recent firearm purchases by both Pastor Russell Fincher and Patrick “Tate” Adamiak who were each pardoned by President Donald L. Trump nearly two months ago.
Adamiak tried to purchase an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thompson, which had engraved images of President Trump. Fincher tried to buy a Smith & Wesson Victory handgun. Each completed an ATF Form 4473, but each was denied by the FBI.
Both Adamik and Pastor Fincher received Presidential pardons, which were signed by President Trump Sept. 3, 2026, but neither man’s Second Amendment rights appear to have been fully restored.
ATF Director Robert Cekada was quick to point out that his agency had nothing to do with the denials.
“I am fully aware of that, but it has nothing to do with us,” Cekada said Friday morning. “We don’t block anybody. The 4473 goes to the FBI. Anyone who gets a denial on a background check gets denied by the FBI.”
The FBI requires members of the media to submit their question via email. Questions were sent Friday morning, but so far, the agency has not called or sent a response.
“It’s frustrating,” Fincher said Friday morning.
He ordered the Smith & Wesson handgun through a local dealer.
“I told him he’s going to have to sell it to someone else,” Fincher said. “If I want to buy a firearm, I guess now I have to buy it from an individual.”
Adamiak said he also experienced problems with a denial by the Pennsylvania State Police instant background check system.
“I filled out an appeal and mailed it to the state,” he said. “They won’t accept digital submissions, and they have up to 30 days to make a decision.”
The state and federal systems are not communicating, he said.
“We’re both cleared,” Adamiak said. “Every day we can’t get a firearm is a day we can’t defend ourselves. Our Second Amendment rights are being violated. We each have presidential pardons.”
The Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project wouldn’t be possible without you. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to support pro-gun stories like this.
@2AFDN
ALT Presidential pardon recipient Patrick “Tate” Adamiak completes an ATF Form 4473 on October 10, 2026 to purchase an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thomson, which featured engraved images of President Donald L. Trump. The transfer was denied by the FBI.
Lee Williams retweeted
The Trace goes ‘toxic’ over lead rounds , by @HT_GunWriter thegunwriter.substack.com/p/…
RT @LTC_Hunter: Well boys, there's good news, and there's bad news.
The good news is, your free men now.
The bad news is, you're not real…
This quoted post is unavailable.
Lee Williams retweeted
A full presidential pardon and the FBI still flags them at the gun counter. Two months is plenty of time to fix a database, so somebody over there is dragging their feet on purpose.
Lee Williams retweeted
Yeah, I went through the same thing. Took almost 6 months and multiple phone calls to reps and eventually getting my attorneys involved.
Lee Williams retweeted
Presidential pardon recipients still barred from buying guns , by @HT_GunWriter thegunwriter.substack.com/p/…
Lee Williams retweeted
Unfortunately I’ve been aware of this since it happened and was hoping it’d be fixed behind the scenes but it seems that’s not happening.
Seems like it should be an easy fix with a phone call from the right person… 🤨
Presidential pardon recipients still barred from buying guns
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has denied recent firearm purchases by both Pastor Russell Fincher and Patrick “Tate” Adamiak who were each pardoned by President Donald L. Trump nearly two months ago.
Adamiak tried to purchase an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thompson, which had engraved images of President Trump. Fincher tried to buy a Smith & Wesson Victory handgun. Each completed an ATF Form 4473, but each was denied by the FBI.
Both Adamik and Pastor Fincher received Presidential pardons, which were signed by President Trump Sept. 3, 2026, but neither man’s Second Amendment rights appear to have been fully restored.
ATF Director Robert Cekada was quick to point out that his agency had nothing to do with the denials.
“I am fully aware of that, but it has nothing to do with us,” Cekada said Friday morning. “We don’t block anybody. The 4473 goes to the FBI. Anyone who gets a denial on a background check gets denied by the FBI.”
The FBI requires members of the media to submit their question via email. Questions were sent Friday morning, but so far, the agency has not called or sent a response.
“It’s frustrating,” Fincher said Friday morning.
He ordered the Smith & Wesson handgun through a local dealer.
“I told him he’s going to have to sell it to someone else,” Fincher said. “If I want to buy a firearm, I guess now I have to buy it from an individual.”
Adamiak said he also experienced problems with a denial by the Pennsylvania State Police instant background check system.
“I filled out an appeal and mailed it to the state,” he said. “They won’t accept digital submissions, and they have up to 30 days to make a decision.”
The state and federal systems are not communicating, he said.
“We’re both cleared,” Adamiak said. “Every day we can’t get a firearm is a day we can’t defend ourselves. Our Second Amendment rights are being violated. We each have presidential pardons.”
The Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project wouldn’t be possible without you. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to support pro-gun stories like this.
@2AFDN
ALT Presidential pardon recipient Patrick “Tate” Adamiak completes an ATF Form 4473 on October 10, 2026 to purchase an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thomson, which featured engraved images of President Donald L. Trump. The transfer was denied by the FBI.
Lee Williams retweeted
Inefficient bureaucracy or something else?
Either way, this should be fixed right away!
Presidential pardon recipients still barred from buying guns
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has denied recent firearm purchases by both Pastor Russell Fincher and Patrick “Tate” Adamiak who were each pardoned by President Donald L. Trump nearly two months ago.
Adamiak tried to purchase an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thompson, which had engraved images of President Trump. Fincher tried to buy a Smith & Wesson Victory handgun. Each completed an ATF Form 4473, but each was denied by the FBI.
Both Adamik and Pastor Fincher received Presidential pardons, which were signed by President Trump Sept. 3, 2026, but neither man’s Second Amendment rights appear to have been fully restored.
ATF Director Robert Cekada was quick to point out that his agency had nothing to do with the denials.
“I am fully aware of that, but it has nothing to do with us,” Cekada said Friday morning. “We don’t block anybody. The 4473 goes to the FBI. Anyone who gets a denial on a background check gets denied by the FBI.”
The FBI requires members of the media to submit their question via email. Questions were sent Friday morning, but so far, the agency has not called or sent a response.
“It’s frustrating,” Fincher said Friday morning.
He ordered the Smith & Wesson handgun through a local dealer.
“I told him he’s going to have to sell it to someone else,” Fincher said. “If I want to buy a firearm, I guess now I have to buy it from an individual.”
Adamiak said he also experienced problems with a denial by the Pennsylvania State Police instant background check system.
“I filled out an appeal and mailed it to the state,” he said. “They won’t accept digital submissions, and they have up to 30 days to make a decision.”
The state and federal systems are not communicating, he said.
“We’re both cleared,” Adamiak said. “Every day we can’t get a firearm is a day we can’t defend ourselves. Our Second Amendment rights are being violated. We each have presidential pardons.”
The Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project wouldn’t be possible without you. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to support pro-gun stories like this.
@2AFDN
ALT Presidential pardon recipient Patrick “Tate” Adamiak completes an ATF Form 4473 on October 10, 2026 to purchase an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thomson, which featured engraved images of President Donald L. Trump. The transfer was denied by the FBI.
Lee Williams retweeted
A right delayed is a right denied. This is a violation of their civil rights. @AAGDhillon
Lee Williams retweeted
Ridiculous.
Presidential pardon recipients still barred from buying guns
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has denied recent firearm purchases by both Pastor Russell Fincher and Patrick “Tate” Adamiak who were each pardoned by President Donald L. Trump nearly two months ago.
Adamiak tried to purchase an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thompson, which had engraved images of President Trump. Fincher tried to buy a Smith & Wesson Victory handgun. Each completed an ATF Form 4473, but each was denied by the FBI.
Both Adamik and Pastor Fincher received Presidential pardons, which were signed by President Trump Sept. 3, 2026, but neither man’s Second Amendment rights appear to have been fully restored.
ATF Director Robert Cekada was quick to point out that his agency had nothing to do with the denials.
“I am fully aware of that, but it has nothing to do with us,” Cekada said Friday morning. “We don’t block anybody. The 4473 goes to the FBI. Anyone who gets a denial on a background check gets denied by the FBI.”
The FBI requires members of the media to submit their question via email. Questions were sent Friday morning, but so far, the agency has not called or sent a response.
“It’s frustrating,” Fincher said Friday morning.
He ordered the Smith & Wesson handgun through a local dealer.
“I told him he’s going to have to sell it to someone else,” Fincher said. “If I want to buy a firearm, I guess now I have to buy it from an individual.”
Adamiak said he also experienced problems with a denial by the Pennsylvania State Police instant background check system.
“I filled out an appeal and mailed it to the state,” he said. “They won’t accept digital submissions, and they have up to 30 days to make a decision.”
The state and federal systems are not communicating, he said.
“We’re both cleared,” Adamiak said. “Every day we can’t get a firearm is a day we can’t defend ourselves. Our Second Amendment rights are being violated. We each have presidential pardons.”
The Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project wouldn’t be possible without you. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to support pro-gun stories like this.
@2AFDN
ALT Presidential pardon recipient Patrick “Tate” Adamiak completes an ATF Form 4473 on October 10, 2026 to purchase an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thomson, which featured engraved images of President Donald L. Trump. The transfer was denied by the FBI.
Lee Williams retweeted
@FBIDirectorKash what the hell? Get your guys with the program. waronguns.com/a-right-delaye… @realDonaldTrump @HarmeetKDhillon
Presidential pardon recipients still barred from buying guns
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has denied recent firearm purchases by both Pastor Russell Fincher and Patrick “Tate” Adamiak who were each pardoned by President Donald L. Trump nearly two months ago.
Adamiak tried to purchase an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thompson, which had engraved images of President Trump. Fincher tried to buy a Smith & Wesson Victory handgun. Each completed an ATF Form 4473, but each was denied by the FBI.
Both Adamik and Pastor Fincher received Presidential pardons, which were signed by President Trump Sept. 3, 2026, but neither man’s Second Amendment rights appear to have been fully restored.
ATF Director Robert Cekada was quick to point out that his agency had nothing to do with the denials.
“I am fully aware of that, but it has nothing to do with us,” Cekada said Friday morning. “We don’t block anybody. The 4473 goes to the FBI. Anyone who gets a denial on a background check gets denied by the FBI.”
The FBI requires members of the media to submit their question via email. Questions were sent Friday morning, but so far, the agency has not called or sent a response.
“It’s frustrating,” Fincher said Friday morning.
He ordered the Smith & Wesson handgun through a local dealer.
“I told him he’s going to have to sell it to someone else,” Fincher said. “If I want to buy a firearm, I guess now I have to buy it from an individual.”
Adamiak said he also experienced problems with a denial by the Pennsylvania State Police instant background check system.
“I filled out an appeal and mailed it to the state,” he said. “They won’t accept digital submissions, and they have up to 30 days to make a decision.”
The state and federal systems are not communicating, he said.
“We’re both cleared,” Adamiak said. “Every day we can’t get a firearm is a day we can’t defend ourselves. Our Second Amendment rights are being violated. We each have presidential pardons.”
The Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project wouldn’t be possible without you. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to support pro-gun stories like this.
@2AFDN
ALT Presidential pardon recipient Patrick “Tate” Adamiak completes an ATF Form 4473 on October 10, 2026 to purchase an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thomson, which featured engraved images of President Donald L. Trump. The transfer was denied by the FBI.
Lee Williams retweeted
@TateAdamiak and Mr. Fincher STILL can't buy firearms!
The chances the @FBI and its Director @FBIDirectorKash don't know about these presidential pardons is close to ZERO. 👇
Presidential pardon recipients still barred from buying guns
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has denied recent firearm purchases by both Pastor Russell Fincher and Patrick “Tate” Adamiak who were each pardoned by President Donald L. Trump nearly two months ago.
Adamiak tried to purchase an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thompson, which had engraved images of President Trump. Fincher tried to buy a Smith & Wesson Victory handgun. Each completed an ATF Form 4473, but each was denied by the FBI.
Both Adamik and Pastor Fincher received Presidential pardons, which were signed by President Trump Sept. 3, 2026, but neither man’s Second Amendment rights appear to have been fully restored.
ATF Director Robert Cekada was quick to point out that his agency had nothing to do with the denials.
“I am fully aware of that, but it has nothing to do with us,” Cekada said Friday morning. “We don’t block anybody. The 4473 goes to the FBI. Anyone who gets a denial on a background check gets denied by the FBI.”
The FBI requires members of the media to submit their question via email. Questions were sent Friday morning, but so far, the agency has not called or sent a response.
“It’s frustrating,” Fincher said Friday morning.
He ordered the Smith & Wesson handgun through a local dealer.
“I told him he’s going to have to sell it to someone else,” Fincher said. “If I want to buy a firearm, I guess now I have to buy it from an individual.”
Adamiak said he also experienced problems with a denial by the Pennsylvania State Police instant background check system.
“I filled out an appeal and mailed it to the state,” he said. “They won’t accept digital submissions, and they have up to 30 days to make a decision.”
The state and federal systems are not communicating, he said.
“We’re both cleared,” Adamiak said. “Every day we can’t get a firearm is a day we can’t defend ourselves. Our Second Amendment rights are being violated. We each have presidential pardons.”
The Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project wouldn’t be possible without you. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to support pro-gun stories like this.
@2AFDN
ALT Presidential pardon recipient Patrick “Tate” Adamiak completes an ATF Form 4473 on October 10, 2026 to purchase an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thomson, which featured engraved images of President Donald L. Trump. The transfer was denied by the FBI.
Lee Williams retweeted
@FBIDirectorKash Know you're kinda busy, but maybe a look-see in some down time to see about fixing this!
Presidential pardon recipients still barred from buying guns
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has denied recent firearm purchases by both Pastor Russell Fincher and Patrick “Tate” Adamiak who were each pardoned by President Donald L. Trump nearly two months ago.
Adamiak tried to purchase an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thompson, which had engraved images of President Trump. Fincher tried to buy a Smith & Wesson Victory handgun. Each completed an ATF Form 4473, but each was denied by the FBI.
Both Adamik and Pastor Fincher received Presidential pardons, which were signed by President Trump Sept. 3, 2026, but neither man’s Second Amendment rights appear to have been fully restored.
ATF Director Robert Cekada was quick to point out that his agency had nothing to do with the denials.
“I am fully aware of that, but it has nothing to do with us,” Cekada said Friday morning. “We don’t block anybody. The 4473 goes to the FBI. Anyone who gets a denial on a background check gets denied by the FBI.”
The FBI requires members of the media to submit their question via email. Questions were sent Friday morning, but so far, the agency has not called or sent a response.
“It’s frustrating,” Fincher said Friday morning.
He ordered the Smith & Wesson handgun through a local dealer.
“I told him he’s going to have to sell it to someone else,” Fincher said. “If I want to buy a firearm, I guess now I have to buy it from an individual.”
Adamiak said he also experienced problems with a denial by the Pennsylvania State Police instant background check system.
“I filled out an appeal and mailed it to the state,” he said. “They won’t accept digital submissions, and they have up to 30 days to make a decision.”
The state and federal systems are not communicating, he said.
“We’re both cleared,” Adamiak said. “Every day we can’t get a firearm is a day we can’t defend ourselves. Our Second Amendment rights are being violated. We each have presidential pardons.”
The Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project wouldn’t be possible without you. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to support pro-gun stories like this.
@2AFDN
ALT Presidential pardon recipient Patrick “Tate” Adamiak completes an ATF Form 4473 on October 10, 2026 to purchase an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thomson, which featured engraved images of President Donald L. Trump. The transfer was denied by the FBI.
Lee Williams retweeted
It’s a never ending struggle
Presidential pardon recipients still barred from buying guns
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has denied recent firearm purchases by both Pastor Russell Fincher and Patrick “Tate” Adamiak who were each pardoned by President Donald L. Trump nearly two months ago.
Adamiak tried to purchase an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thompson, which had engraved images of President Trump. Fincher tried to buy a Smith & Wesson Victory handgun. Each completed an ATF Form 4473, but each was denied by the FBI.
Both Adamik and Pastor Fincher received Presidential pardons, which were signed by President Trump Sept. 3, 2026, but neither man’s Second Amendment rights appear to have been fully restored.
ATF Director Robert Cekada was quick to point out that his agency had nothing to do with the denials.
“I am fully aware of that, but it has nothing to do with us,” Cekada said Friday morning. “We don’t block anybody. The 4473 goes to the FBI. Anyone who gets a denial on a background check gets denied by the FBI.”
The FBI requires members of the media to submit their question via email. Questions were sent Friday morning, but so far, the agency has not called or sent a response.
“It’s frustrating,” Fincher said Friday morning.
He ordered the Smith & Wesson handgun through a local dealer.
“I told him he’s going to have to sell it to someone else,” Fincher said. “If I want to buy a firearm, I guess now I have to buy it from an individual.”
Adamiak said he also experienced problems with a denial by the Pennsylvania State Police instant background check system.
“I filled out an appeal and mailed it to the state,” he said. “They won’t accept digital submissions, and they have up to 30 days to make a decision.”
The state and federal systems are not communicating, he said.
“We’re both cleared,” Adamiak said. “Every day we can’t get a firearm is a day we can’t defend ourselves. Our Second Amendment rights are being violated. We each have presidential pardons.”
The Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project wouldn’t be possible without you. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to support pro-gun stories like this.
@2AFDN
ALT Presidential pardon recipient Patrick “Tate” Adamiak completes an ATF Form 4473 on October 10, 2026 to purchase an Auto-Ordnance semi-automatic Thomson, which featured engraved images of President Donald L. Trump. The transfer was denied by the FBI.
Lee Williams retweeted
I would like the think after a pardon is signed it gets sent directly through the different federal agencies to clear any red flags.
But I guess I'm asking too much from our govt.
