He gained prominence in 2001, when he became the first blind person to acquire a concealed weapons permit to allow him to carry a firearm for self-defense.
[citation needed] Despite complete blindness, at age 14, McWilliams joined the Civil Air Patrol, where he had the opportunity to co-pilot many small aircraft.
At 27 he passed all shooting and written exams to receive his first concealed weapons permit from North Dakota in September 2000.
[citation needed] In 2005, he became a figure in the National Gun Debate when he publicly opposed a move by his home state's legislature to remove the shooting portion of the CCW permit, stating that such allowed the carrying of loaded firearms by individuals who may have no knowledge of safe gun operation.
In 2021, McWilliams obtained a permit to carry a loaded handgun from the state of Minnesota after two previous attempts in 2006 and again in 2016.