Last Friday, Conservative Review published an Op-Ed by Congressman Dave Brat (Virginia, 7th District) articulating five things the next Congress could do to preserve the 2nd Amendment Rights of Americans. Click on the link above and read the entirety of the Congressman’s thoughts. If not (shame on you) I’ll post several excerpts from the article here.
The five things Congressman Brat argued Congress could do are: 1. Pass Concealed Carry Reciprocity 2. Pass Congressman Miller’s Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act 3. Pass Congressman Bishop’s Lawful Purpose and Self Defense Act 4. Block legislation superseding due process through government watch lists 5. Encourage the next President and Attorney General to faithfully execute the laws already on the books.
First, the House should take up and pass Concealed Carry Reciprocity. There were two such bills in the House this Congress, H.R. 923 the “Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act” sponsored by retiring Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind. (B, 80%) and H.R. 986 the “Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act” sponsored by Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C. (D, 61%). Both bills, of which I am a cosponsor, would dramatically expand the right of concealed carry permit holders. Gun owners should not have to seek permission to exercise their constitutionally protected rights.
While Congressman Brat is discussing what Congress can do to preserve our Gun Rights, he’s also (by default) letting us know what we can do to support the efforts of Congressmen Stutzman and Hudson. You can call your Congressman or woman and tell them that you eagerly support H.R.923 and H.R.986.
Second, the House should take up and pass H.R. 2001, the “Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act” sponsored by Jeff Miller, R-Fla. (C, 73%), similar legislation that provides Veterans due process protections, or restrict federal funds from being used by the Veterans Administration (VA) to categorize individuals as “mentally defective”. The VA has been using legal definitions to disarm lawful veteran firearm owners.
H.R. 2001 is a no-brainer. That our government would target the men and women who have faithfully served our country in uniform to relieve them of their 2nd Amendment rights is disgraceful; and Congress ought to put a stop to that immediately.
Third, Congress should reel in the administrative state by passing H.R. 2710 the “Lawful Purpose and Self Defense Act” sponsored by Rob Bishop, R-Utah (D, 65%). According to the sponsor, “This bill will reign in the Obama Administration and the ATF [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives]. The ATF has attempted to ban ammunition used in the popular AR-15 rifle. The bill will eliminate the ATF’s illegitimate authority to prohibit this .223 caliber ammunition.”
Just about everyone I’ve gone shooting with over the last couple of years enjoys their AR15. The AR15, while probably not ideal for home defense (Shotguns, and .45 caliber ammunition fired from my Glock 30, may be more productive for the home) is fantastic for target practice due to its accuracy. There are much larger caliber weapons that are far more dangerous in the hands of those looking do cause harm, so it is extraordinary that politicians have focused on a rifle discharging .223 caliber ammunition. Besides, we’ve already seen what bad people can do with a knife or with homemade explosives. So what are Democrats really after?
Fourth, block any and all attempts to pass legislation that could jeopardize individual’s due process through secret government watch lists. There has been a substantial push from some in Congress to ban the ownership of firearms for those on terrorist watch lists. Terrorists should not be allowed to purchase or possess firearms. Terrorists caught trying to purchase a firearm should be immediately taken to court, the transfer of the firearm should be blocked, and the terrorist arrested — end of story. At the same time, wrongfully listed Americans, like Representative Tom McClintock, R-Calif. (B, 85%) should not be denied their right to purchase a firearm.
Let’s be honest about what Democrats are really after. They are looking for any “legal” means to take guns away from US citizens. They don’t care from whom they are taking those guns away, be they Congressmen or Veterans. They just want to take the guns.
If, according to anti-gun politicians and organizations, everyone who is denied the transfer of a firearm as a result of a NICS denial is a dangerous person, why is the DOJ not interested in enforcing current law? Anti-gun politicians and presidential administrations can’t call for the expansion of the NICS system, but then neglect their duty to enforce current law. Anti-gun politicians simply want to make it harder for lawful citizens to own firearms. The House should be encouraging the administration and the Attorney General to faithfully execute the laws on the books.
There is a great deal that Congress can do in reaction to recent attempts on our 2nd Amendment rights by liberal Democrats. Reach out to your representatives and let them know that you want them to do everything in their power to put a stop to the liberal assault on gun rights in this country.
