Democrats pass the first of many bills to reduce Second Amendment rights

Statement

his week, the Democratic controlled House of Representatives passed H.R. 8, an effort at gun control that failed to include any conservative ideas. Democrats claim H.R. 8 would reduce gun violence by expanding background checks and requiring the transfer of firearms between individuals and a federally licensed firearm (FFL) dealer only. In reality this bill would only take away the rights of law-abiding citizens.

As much as the left would like to convince everyone that universal background checks work, they don't. California is a great example of this. In 1991, California became the first state to pass a law that required universal background checks for firearm purchases. Since its passage, numerous studies have shown that universal background checks have failed to decrease the number of gun homicides.

Not only do universal background checks not work, 77 percent of individuals in state prisons for firearm crimes didn't purchase their guns legally. According to the Department of Justice, these criminals got their firearms through theft, the black market, drug dealers or on the street.

If signed into law, H.R. 8 would cause more harm than good. For example, if an individual wanted to borrow a friend's rifle for a hunting trip one weekend, that friend could face up to a year in prison or a $100,000 fine. If a victim of domestic violence wanted to protect themselves from their abuser and borrowed a gun from a friend who wanted to ensure their safety, that friend could also spend up to a year in prison or a $100,000 fine.

Along with H.R. 8, Democrats also introduced H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act, which narrowly passed the House. H.R. 1112 extends the background check period from three days to 10 days and takes away an FFL dealer's ability to sell a firearm to a purchaser if a background check is not completed in that timeframe. If signed into law, H.R. 1112 would require the 10-day process for a background check to start over again if not completed, essentially allowing the federal government the ability to perpetually deny a law-abiding citizen the ability to purchase a firearm.

The facts are plain and simple: these bills won't stop gun violence. I continue to be a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment. That's why I will continue oppose legislation that is an assault on our Second Amendment rights.

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