Desperate to give Democrats something they view as positive to campaign on this fall, the House of Representatives voted narrowly to resurrect a federal “assault weapons” ban last night. As Speaker Nancy Pelosi laughably claimed, the black rifle prohibition bill isn’t about taking away anyone’s guns . . .
The bill prohibits the sale, manufacture, transfer or possession of semi-automatic assault weapons, as well as high-capacity magazines. And, contrary to what the gentleman on the other side of the aisle said, it requires safe storage for lawfully owned assault weapons already in our communities. It’s not about taking guns away from people who should have them. It’s about safe storage. You have a problem with that? And it strongly supports our law enforcement who are heroes, who should not have to confront weapons designed for the battlefield, instead in our communities.
To be clear, this is a very special day in the Congress of the United States, that history will record as one designed to save lives.
Of course it is. America’s most prominent gun rights organizations reacted thusly . . .
From the Firearms Policy Coalition:
The House of Representatives passed H.R.1808, which would, if enacted, criminalize the lawful and constitutionally protected conduct of millions of Americans.
In a time of economic recession, gross overreach and abuse of power by the federal government, and cascading governmental policy failures at all levels, 217 depraved representatives, including the deciding votes cast by Republicans Jacobs (NY) and Fitzpatrick, voted to violate natural rights and our Constitution, choosing to promote policies that would imprison peaceable people who have done no wrong.
There is no world in which American gun owners bend the knee and comply with this evil legislation. Further, if H.R.1808 is enacted, FPC Law will swiftly and aggressively take all actions necessary to fight and enjoin the bill.
And to all of those who supported and passed this immoral legislation, we say simply this: “Fuck you. No.”
From the Second Amendment Foundation and CCRKBA:
Passage…by the U.S. House of Representatives of a ban on so-called “assault weapons” is a slap in the face to tens of millions of law-abiding firearms owners, including the 24 million citizens who lawfully own such firearms and have harmed nobody.
Supporters of this outrageous legislation have once again demonstrated their willingness to throw honest gun owners and their Second Amendment rights under the bus, rather than deal with the genuine problems of gang violence, lenient prosecutors and judges, and the weakening of our law enforcement agencies.
Today, House Democrats literally voted to penalize law-abiding gun owners for crimes they did not commit, while blaming firearms rather than criminals and their enablers. It will do nothing to reduce or prevent crime, and will instead further erode the Second Amendment, which appears to be the ultimate goal of these gun control proponents.
From Gun Owners of America:
Gun Owners of America and nine partners from the firearms industry, sent a letter to Congressional leadership, urging them to reject any “Assault Weapons” Ban. The full letter can be viewed here. GOA’s No Compromise Alliance is composed of business partners representing all aspects of the firearm industry, and they are dedicated to further strengthening the bonds across the industry in defense of Americans’ Second Amendment Rights.
Kaily Nieman, GOA’s Director of Development, issued the following statement:
“GOA and our industry partners believe wholeheartedly in the preservation of liberty, whether it be defending commonly-owned firearms or ensuring protections from frivolous litigation, we stand together against the unconstitutional actions of Congress. We understand firsthand the attack on our Second Amendment and we are honored to have strong partners on the frontlines of this fight.”
Aidan Johnston, GOA’s Director of Federal Affairs, added:
“It’s so exciting to see members of the industry join us in opposition to this unconstitutional bill. GOA is at the forefront of this fight, and we will continue to lobby our elected officials on Capitol Hill to reject this legislation for what it is—a direct assault on your rights.”
From the National Rifle Association:
Barely a month after the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen, gun control advocates in Congress are spearheading an assault upon the freedoms and civil liberties of law-abiding Americans. The promises made in HR 1808 are nothing short of a lie based on willful ignorance of the disastrous 1994 Clinton Gun Ban which failed to produce any significant drop in crime.
With more than 24 million potentially-banned firearms in common use, these draconian restrictions fall in blatant opposition to the Supreme Court’s rulings in Bruen, Caetano v. Massachusetts, and DC v. Heller. Their refusal to recognize this reality places everyone at risk.
Any legitimate attempt to address our nation’s surge in violent crime cannot commence until anti-gun legislators step away from the radicals who defund our police departments, support prosecutors who refuse to prosecute dangerous criminals, and promote no cash bail policies that have turned once proud communities into a playground of lawlessness and fear.
From the National Association for Gun Rights:
A California-style gun ban is one step closer to going national.
Yesterday, just before jetting off on a month long vacation, Nancy Pelosi and the House Democrats wanted to capitalize on the opportunity to trample on law-abiding American gun owners.
By a vote of 217 to 213, Pelosi’s House advanced H.R. 1808, a ban on common semi-autos, to the U.S. Senate.
This bill would ban commonly-owned rifles, shotguns, and handguns based solely on cosmetic features.
Unfortunately, Republicans Chris Jacobs (NY-27) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) joined in with the anti-gun crowd to ensure Nancy Pelosi’s crown jewel passed.
And it was only a few weeks ago that 15 “Republican” Senators caved and voted to send a massive gun control package to President Biden’s desk.
That is why the threat of H.R. 1808 must not be taken lightly by law-abiding gun owners.
The first step to fighting back is to flood the Senate with petitions from angry pro-gun voters like you.
So as Congress enters their tax-payer funded summer recess, it’s time to double down the pressure on the U.S. Senate by signing your “No Assault Weapons Ban” petition immediately.
