(Republican Insider) – Fourteen Republicans sold out and sided with Senate Democrats to advance gun control legislation on Tuesday. The bill, opposed by the NRA, received a 64-34 vote in the first procedural hurdle.
“We will oppose this gun control legislation because it falls short at every level,” the NRA said in a statement. “It does little to truly address violent crime while opening the door to unnecessary burdens on the exercise of Second Amendment freedom by law-abiding gun owners.
“This legislation can be abused to restrict lawful gun purchases, infringe upon the rights of law-abiding Americans, and use federal dollars to fund gun control measures being adopted by state and local politicians. This bill leaves too much discretion in the hands of government officials and also contains undefined and overbroad provisions – inviting interference with our constitutional freedoms,” the NRA said.
Somehow, fourteen Republicans didn’t feel that way about the legislation which most certainly will open the door for governmental abuse and violations of the Second Amendment.
The GOP supporters were: Sens. John Cornyn of Texas; Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky; Lisa Murkowski of Alaska; Todd Young of Indiana; Joni Ernst of Iowa; Bill Cassidy of Louisiana; Susan Collins of Maine; Roy Blunt of Missouri; Thom Tillis and Richard Burr of North Carolina; Rob Portman of Ohio; Lindsey Graham of South Carolina; Mitt Romney of Utah; and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia.
“Some think it goes too far, others think it doesn’t go far enough. And I get it. It’s the nature of compromise,” Cornyn said, according to Newsweek. Cornyn led the Republicans working with Democrats to craft the bill.
“I believe that the same people who are telling us to do something are sending us a clear message, to do what we can to keep our children and communities safe. I’m confident this legislation moves us in a positive direction,” he said.
Except it doesn’t do that at all. It doesn’t address tougher consequences for violent crimes. It doesn’t address mental health in a meaningful way. It doesn’t do anything except make law-abiding citizens more susceptible to dangerous Red Flag laws that can be easily abused.
McConnell called the bill “a commonsense package of popular steps that will help make these horrifying incidents less likely while fully upholding the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.”
Meanwhile, Graham insisted the bill does not infringe on the Second Amendment, according to WCSC-TV.
“As a long-time gun owner and strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I have been horrified by the recent spate of mass shootings and the link between mental health and gun violence,” Graham said.
“I believe the legislation announced today has a very good chance of saving lives while at the same time protecting the rights of responsible gun owners. Unless you’re adjudicated mentally ill or a convicted violent criminal, your Second Amendment rights won’t be affected.”
Only problem is, the Red Flag laws can be invoked by anyone who claims that someone else is a danger to themselves or others. Americans are going to lose their Second Amendment rights in the absence of any criminal charges.
Republicans opposing the bill say it crossed a line.
Stopping gun violence starts with more funding for police and tougher sentences for the criminals who violate gun laws—not taking away due process from law-abiding gun owners.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) June 22, 2022
Tonight, I opposed the gun control legislation — released only an hour before the vote — that would infringe on law-abiding Americans’ Second Amendment rights.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) June 22, 2022
The bill calls for tougher background checks for gun buyers between 18 and 21 and banning domestic abusers from owning guns, among other provisions.
Unfortunately, mass shooters don’t typically have a history of being “domestic abusers.” While it certainly is important to protect women who are vulnerable to domestic abuse, this does nothing to address the main issue at hand, which is mass shootings.
Republican Sens. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania did not vote on the bill, Newsweek noted.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he hoped to pass the bill this week. There’s no doubt the House and Biden will move quickly to pass the bill into law.
Copyright 2022. RepublicanInsider.org
Republicans, If I could I would march on Washington and the 14 RINO’S in the Senate to prevent them from voting on their gun rights Red Laws. I live in West Virginia and the majority of men really like to hunt. I spent 20 years in the Army, so I do know how to use a gun, but I am in my 70’s and totally disabled. Americans, everyone who can needs to get up off their honches and march on Washington to take back our country. Have courage and God bless you all.
Americans, anyone who has a RINO in their state please vote them out of office. They are not representing the people who voted for them.