Misinformation can make it around the world twice before the truth can get its pants on.
Such is the case surrounding H.R. 4477, Fix-NICS bill before Congress that would help fix the current National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for guns. In a recent Facebook Post, Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY4) included several inaccurate statements regarding the specifics of this legislation. That misinformation has now gone viral being picked up by all sorts of groups to include Gun Rights, and Liberty minded, conservative groups such as Loudoun County Conservatives. They, in turn, are using this bad information for various reasons, be it to go after a supporter of the bill, promote another candidate, or raise money.
Congressman Massie got it wrong, as is usually the case when others are running with the bad information which leads to confusion, misinformation, and false narratives. This of course is never good, and actually counter to our mission of advancing liberty and freedom.
They have it wrong, it is that simple. Facts matter.
I am not here to cast blame or assign motivations to those engaged in the advancement of bad information other than to ask them to please get the facts and stop perpetuating falsehoods.
The NRA-ILA has been working this issue for a very long time on behalf of Gun Owners. As a person who has spent the better part of my adult life as a political activist fighting for the rights of gun owners, and has carried a gun professionally in multiple states and jurisdictions, I am really disappointed when bad information and ignorance impedes the real advancement of our Second Amendment rights. Make no mistake that is what is happening here.
Let’s don’t let ignorant enthusiasm ruin a real opportunity to advance Freedom.
Find below the NRA-ILA Fact Check regarding the issue.
CLAIM: “The bill will also advance former President Obama’s agenda of pressuring every branch of the administration (such as the Veteran’s Administration) to submit thousands of more names to the NICS background check database to deny gun purchases.”
FACT: The bill requires that federal agencies submit the names of anyone who is already prohibited by law from possessing a firearm to the NICS background check database. This differs from former President Obama’s efforts, in which he attempted to administratively create new categories of individuals who were prohibited from possessing a firearm. H.R. 4477, by contrast, is aimed squarely at individuals like the perpetrator of the recent murders in Texas, who should have been reported to NICS because of his disqualifying criminal history.
CLAIM: “The bill is being rammed through, without a hearing, in a very nontransparent process, and it will be passed by attaching it to the popular concealed carry reciprocity bill which already has enough votes to pass on its own.
FACT: The bill went through a very thorough and public markup session of its own. And like H.R. 38 the concealed carry reciprocity bill, the Fix NICS bill would also have enough votes to pass on its own.
More on H.R.4477, including sponsors, here. Please note, Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA10) is one of the original co-sponsors of the bill. Both bills, H.R.4477 and H.R.38 will advance our freedom and liberty.
