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Table of contents
- The Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act Reintroduced
- Legislation Overview
- Act Details
- Supporting Senators
- House’s Stance on The Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act
- Biden and Gun Control
- Previous Legislative Attempts
- Reactions to Current Administration
- Concerning Recent Events
- “The Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act” Endorsement s
The Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act Reintroduced
Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) and 20 GOP colleagues proposed a bill last week to prevent emergency-based gun control. Concurrently, Rep. Mike Cloud (R-TX) leads 29 Republicans to reintroduce a similar bill in the House, intensifying the legislative response.
Legislation Overview
“The Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act” (S.2911/H.R.5561) seeks to block the President, Health and Human Services Secretary, and other officials from using public health emergencies to enforce gun control.
Many said that public health emergencies would not be abused to impose gun control, but after we saw the vast expansion of executive power during COVID and the New Mexico Governor use a public health emergency to effectively suspend the 2nd Amendment in her state, no one can doubt that this needs to be addressed We need to set into law that no one can remove the right to defend ourselves and our families with the stroke of a pen.
— Sen Mike Braun (R-IN)
Act Details
- Blocks emergency declarations for gun control under the National Emergencies Act.
- Stops HHS Secretary from using the Public Health Service Act for gun control.
- Prevents restrictions on firearm or ammunition production and sale during crises.
Supporting Senators
Senators Thom Tillis, Kevin Cramer, Jim Risch, and others back this initiative.
House’s Stance on The Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act
Congressman Cloud’s reintroduced version in the House echoes the Senate’s concerns, with both legislations pointing to the repeated attempts by Democrats to use public health orders to infringe upon Americans’ civil liberties, notably their Second Amendment rights.
Biden and Gun Control
🚨@GovMLG's unconstitutional assertion of canceling the 1st and 2nd Amendments in an “emergency” echoes tactics seen in tyrannical regimes, not in a free America.
— NRA (@NRA) September 9, 2023
The NRA remains vigilant in protecting the rights of every American citizen. #nmleg pic.twitter.com/dsXA0uiiPw
Recent declarations by President Biden, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham have labeled gun violence as a public health emergency, subsequently leading to gun control measures.
SEE ALSO: CCRKBA Chair ‘Appalled’ Gun Grabbers Will Be On White House Payroll
Previous Legislative Attempts
Sen. Braun pushed similar legislation in 2021 and proposed an amendment in July. Congressman Cloud’s reintroduction solidifies bipartisan concerns.
Reactions to Current Administration
American gun owners express apprehensions about the Biden administration’s overreach. Congressman Cloud stressed the importance of Congress’s oversight role.
For a long time, radical left politicians have been open about their willingness to use executive authority and rob Americans of their Second Amendment rights. That is unacceptable, and it is Congress’ duty to prevent it. The Biden Administration, Governor Grisham, and others have exercised extraordinary executive power to push their liberal agenda and expand the power of the government. My bill would push back against any infringement on the Second Amendment and prevent the federal government from gaming the system to implement sweeping gun control regulations.
— Rep. Mike Cloud (R-TX)
Concerning Recent Events
The recent unilateral move by New Mexico’s governor has amplified worries.
Aidan Johnston from Gun Owners of America emphasized the misuse of ’emergency powers’ for infringing on Constitutional rights, referencing the actions during the COVID pandemic.
“This instance of New Mexico’s tyrant governor using a ‘public health emergency’ to unilaterally suspend the Second Amendment is just the latest example of public officials illegally using ’emergency powers’ to infringe on Constitutional rights,” said Johnston.
“We saw countless similar examples during the COVID pandemic, and lawmakers must act with a sense of urgency to ensure that President Biden and his anti-gun administration do not attempt something similar to these examples on a national level,” he added.
“The Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act” Endorsements
Gun Owners of America (GOA) endorsed both versions of the bill.
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It needs teeth. Immediate arrest/imprisonment pending trial, automatic 10 years for usurping the Bill of rights. We will see if any of them want to try again.