U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)-– On June 12, 2022, a group of 10 Republican and 10 Democrat senators agreed on an “outline” on a proposed gun control bill.
Significantly, 10 Republicans are needed to overcome the filibuster in the Senate if all 50 Democrats join in passing a particular bill.
Few details have been seen about the “outline.” The details are critical. Broad “outlines” are not legislation and have no force of law.
Senator Murphy of Connecticut appears to be the prime mover on this push. He is quoted by voanews.
He said the agreement would provide unspecified “major funding to help states pass and implement crisis intervention orders (red-flag laws) that will allow law enforcement to temporarily take dangerous weapons away from people who pose a danger to others or themselves.”
Murphy said there would be “billions in new funding for mental health and school safety, including money for the national build-out of community mental health clinics.” He said the legislation would “close the ‘boyfriend loophole,’ so that no domestic abuser — a spouse or a serious dating partner — can buy a gun if they are convicted of abuse against their partner.”
He said the legislation would include a prohibition against people buying guns for others and enhance background checks for gun buyers under 21. Both the Buffalo and Uvalde mass shootings were carried out by 18-year-olds.
In addition, Murphy said the law, if approved by Congress, would clarify “who needs to register as a licensed gun dealer, to make sure all truly commercial sellers are doing background checks.”
Red-flag laws do not appear to produce measurable results. They can be very effective at undercutting fundamental Constitutional rights. The wording used in this reporting, does not bode well:
will allow law enforcement to temporarily take dangerous weapons away from people
Once taken, it can be complicated to regain possession of firearms from “law enforcement.” All weapons are “dangerous.” All people are potentially dangerous.
Temporarily often becomes indefinite, which often becomes permanent.
What is a “boyfriend loophole”? It is not a legal term but rather Orwellian propaganda meant to deceive. There is no “boyfriend loophole” in federal law.
The term is meant as a way to expand the prohibited status of people who commit domestic violence to people who are in casual relationships. It is a way of expanding the list of people prohibited from exercising their Second Amendment rights.
Misdemeanors are inherently less serious than felonies. The details here are important and unspecified so far.
Prohibition against a person buying guns for others.
There is already a prohibition against people purchasing guns for others in federal law. Watch for this to be expanded so than no one is allowed to buy a firearm for anyone else. This may be a way to push for a ban on private sales.
Enhanced background checks for those under 21. Almost certainly unconstitutional, this appears to be a waiting period measure. Watch for this to be used as justification to ban private sales.
Clarification of who is a gun dealer. This is a double edged sword. A clear definition of what constitutes “doing business” has been sought for decades. It seems unlikely a good definition can come from this administration. Watch for a definition where it is hard to obtain a Federal Firearms License, but easy to be prosecuted for not having one.
The Senators who signed on to this “outline” are, from the Epoch Times (Phone numbers have been added):
Republicans who signed on.
- Linsey Graham, South Carolina 202-224-5972
- Mitt Romney, Utah 202-224-5251
- John Cornyn, Texas 202-224-2934
- Thom Tillis, North Carolina 202-224-6342
- Richard Burr, North Carolina 202-224-3154
- Roy Blunt, Missouri 202-224-5721
- Bill Cassidy, Louisiana 202-224-5824
- Susan Collins, Maine 202-224-2523
- Rob Portman, Ohio 202-224-3353
- Pat Toomey, Pennsylvania 202-224-4254
The Democrats who signed on are:
- Chris Murphy, Connecticut 202-224-4041
- Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut 202-224-2823
- Corey Booker, New Jersey 202-224-3224
- Kyrsten Sinema, Arizona 202-224-4521
- Mark Kelly, Arizona 202-224-2235
- Chris Coons, Delaware 202-224-5042
- Martin Heinrich, New Mexico 202-224-5521
- Joe Manchin, West Virginia 202-224-3954
- Debbie Stabenow, Michigan 202-224-4822
Senate Majority leader, Chuck Schumer, is pressing for a vote as soon as possible before people are able to understand what is in the bill.
Crises legislation is a hallmark of bad legislation.
It is legislation that cannot be passed when subjected to rational thought and debate.
Senators listen to input. It may not sway their vote, but it may make them less enthusiastic.
About Dean Weingarten:
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of Constitutional Carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.
We need to close the “RINO Loophole”, so none of these assclowns is allowed to represent us in Congress.
These clowns on either side of the aisle can pass what they want and then it will be challenged in court and most likely be found unconstitutional. But you idiots go for it and then it will be proven to be a waiste of time and taxpayers money after the courts reject your crap to make lawbiding citizens accountable for the action of a few criminals .
Compromise to the libs always starts with half the cake. Then they want to negotiate for the other half. When the libs get done “negotiating” the supposedly conservative faction will be lucky if they can still smell the frosting. Negotiating away a Constitutional right (any of them) should always be a non-starter.
This is the sequel movie. Republicans were outmaneuvered again. “The framework wasn’t a bill, until it was.” Schmucker (sic) will hold a vote on the framework, which the ten turncoats will support. Then it’ll be declared a bill, with the details to be filled in by Demoncrat staffers in joint House and Senate reconciliation. The parliamentarian will determine that it was already passed as legislation. What is the outcome? 1. Gun Dealer will be defined as anyone who sells a gun. No FFL? Bad for them! 2. Buying a gun for someone else? You bought it 20 years ago, and… Read more »
It was my understanding the US supreme court ruled red flag laws unconstitutional. The Supreme Court rightly protected the sanctity of the home on May 17th’s landmark decision. The First District court’s inadequately reasoned “caretaking exception” is an example of a ruse often used by the state when individual rights prevent it from getting what it wants. This reaffirmation of both privacy and Second Amendment rights should give pause to advocates of red flag laws. Posing as defenders of public safety, red flag laws bypass the Second and Fourth Amendments while simultaneously abolishing due process If Caniglia v. Strom teaches us anything, it is… Read more »
McConnell has caved and you can bet that what comes out will be much worse that you think. Red flag should not be just a nonstarter it IS anti-constitutional (due process among other rights).
When will the ‘conservatives’ learn to fight these laws and learn what ‘compromise’ means? When the left wants to restrict the counter proposal should be ‘end the NFA, open the mg registry, delist silencers and short barrel rifles, and constitutional carry’ at a minimum and start the ‘compromise’ from there.