The Senate voted 65-33 this evening to pass their radical gun control package, crafted in the wake of recent tragedies such as the one that took place at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas last month.
As previously reported, this legislation contains several provisions that are clear violations of law-abiding Americans’ Second Amendment rights.
While the legislation does include some rational measures, the restrictions on law-abiding citizens are too great.
The two most glaring violations of Second Amendment rights are the expanded background checks on would-be purchasers between the ages of 18 and 21 and the millions of dollars in funding that states would be provided with to enforce “red flag laws.”
Would-be buyers in the 18-21 age group could be subject to a waiting period of up to 10 business days – potentially up to two whole calendar weeks – before being able to purchase a firearm.
Through funding provided by Byrne JAG grants, states will be given additional dollars to support “extreme risk protection orders” (ERPO’s). Those orders – known colloquially as “red flag laws” – temporarily require a person to surrender their firearms to law enforcement officials and also do not allow individuals to purchase or possess firearms or ammunition.”
Senate Republicans who supported today’s legislation were Mitch McConnell (R-KY), John Cornyn (R-TX), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Richard Burr (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Todd Young (R-IN), Rob Portman (R-OH), Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Mitt Romney (R-UT).
Fox News reported earlier this week that House Republican Whip Steve Scalise is planning to do all he can to stop the legislation from making it through his chamber. However, his efforts may not go far enough as Democrats still outnumber Republicans in the House.
The House Freedom Caucus officially took a position on the legislation two days ago when it was formally introduced in the Senate. The group of conservative Republicans took issue with the bill’s provisions that would enhance the implementation of red flag laws by backing pre-existing state laws with federal dollars.
OFFICIAL POSITION: The House Freedom Caucus opposes any legislation, including the Senate framework, that implements “red flag laws” and other unconstitutional gun control provisions.
Full statement: pic.twitter.com/zqQoTFPNoL— House Freedom Caucus (@freedomcaucus) June 22, 2022
Congresswoman Lauren Bobert – another member of the House Republican Conference and a prominent gun rights defender – joined Laura Ingraham on Fox News yesterday to slam the Senate’s anti-Second Amendment bill.
It’s turns out Texas has both parties represented in the U.S. Senate!
I joined @IngrahamAngle tonight to expose the unconstitutional Senate gun grab! pic.twitter.com/CYrfx4L7Cp— Rep. Lauren Boebert (@RepBoebert) June 23, 2022
House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik has also issued a statement in opposition of the Senate’s legislative package.
In her eyes, “this bill contains unconstitutional gun control provisions and allows the implementation of red flag laws that take away due process rights. It would restrict men and women who are able to serve in our military from purchasing a firearm and would strip the Constitutional rights of gun owners by broadening the scope of punishment for even nonviolent misdemeanors. As this blatant government overreach seeks to make gun owners second-class citizens, I will continue to stand up for the Constitution and push for solutions, including advocating for increased mental health resources across the country.”
As the legislation now moves to the House, many more Republicans are sure to make their opposition to the legislation known with insiders predicting a floor vote as soon as 9:00 AM Friday morning.