At this point this and the second bill — an expansion of the number of days a dealer must wait to have background checks completed from three to 10 days — look to be symbolic. It’s meant to garner publicity and gin up demand from a public that only “knows” what it’s told about guns by those who want to swindle them out of their rights.
That means — barring an exploitable atrocity — the Republican-controlled Senate should be able to block the bills, and if they falter, President Donald Trump is believed to be prepared to veto them. He’s savvy enough not to burn all his bridges like he’s doing with “bump stocks” and other outlier RKBA issues that most gun owners believe (probably) won’t personally affect them. There are, of course, no guarantees, and politicians are creatures of self-preservation if nothing else, but the conventional wisdom says the gun vote is still a force you can’t cross certain lines with.
Those lines don’t appear as strong as they were a few years ago, though, and the fact that some Republicans appear ready to “compromise” with the gun-grabbers is something we will only see more of as long as those who do are allowed to get away with it. That’s why we see more and more coming out for “red flag laws,” and “bump stock bans,” raising the age to buy rifles, and even “assault weapon” bans.
As long as they keep getting rewarded after brazenly cheating on us, what’s their incentive to remain faithful?
We don’t need to rehash the flaws of “universal background checks” here, except to note an edict only the “law-abiding” will obey is hardly “universal,” and that no less an authority than the National Institute of Justice has admitted:
“Effectiveness depends on the ability to reduce straw purchasing, requiring gun registration…”
That’s certainly another of the incremental goals on the way down Nancy Pelosi’s “slippery slope,” but it’s a mask the more restrained in the gun-grab camp deem too early to pull off.
So, for now, we’re left with noise, with Democrat photo ops and with the media helping spook the herd to gin up demand for more infringements. But rather than just hunker down and wait for things to blow over, there is something productive gun owners can do with this latest betrayal: Learn who the “Republicans” are and do what you can to make them feel your pain.
“Republican” co-sponsors of this latest Intolerable Act were:
- Rep. Peter King (NY-2)
- Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1)
- Rep. Brian J. Mast (FL-18)
- Rep. Fred Upton (MI-6)
- Rep. Christopher H. Smith (NJ-4)
Joining them in voting for this attack on gun-owning constituents were:
- Vern Buchanan (FL-16)
- Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)
- Will Hurd (TX-23)
What incentive will voting for “Republicans” like these give the GOP to offer better candidates?
About David Codrea:
David Codrea is the winner of multiple journalist awards for investigating/defending the RKBA and a long-time gun owner rights advocate who defiantly challenges the folly of citizen disarmament. He blogs at “The War on Guns: Notes from the Resistance,” is a regularly featured contributor to Firearms News, and posts on Twitter: @dcodrea and Facebook.
I disagree with many of the comments here. Some of these Republican members have very strong pro-life records which is often a harder vote to make. I appreciate the article and don’t know the circumstances surrounding each member’s vote. I will be in touch with those I support regarding this vote. However, without knowing the complete story I cannot stop supporting them at this point.
Like the “bumpstock ban”, the “universal background check” is just one more UNJUST “law” I will freely IGNORE. I’ve committed no crime(s), and will NOT be held accountable for those that do. They’re going to have to TAKE MY GUNS, and the “price” will NOT BE CHEAP.
They are all traitors! Return to tar & feathers!
Theses people live in their own concrete world. The media and and rumor mill their only way of learning. All their anti gun won’t do a bit of good. Two nights ago I heard a noise outside. Looking outside I couldn’t see anything but a dead chicken lying on the ground. My husband fired a shot in the ground noise in the coop and quiet. Two chickens dead, three less eggs a day.. The cost of food would go up big time if a farmer can’t protect their livestock. Their fear of guns is because of their ignorance plain and… Read more »
I humbly suggest to the folks in those states to tell the Republican Party there to offer appropriate replacements or you don’t vote Republican. How is replacing these knot heads with Democrats worse?
Or you could vote for Libertarians who support your rights. All the time.
Democrats and Republicans: thugs, thieves and clowns, every damn one.
Cheers, Cutterjack
Buchanan, Vernon (FL)
Diaz-Balart, Mario (FL)
Fitzpatrick, Brian (PA)
Hurd, Will (TX)
King, Peter (NY)
Mast, Brian (FL)
Smith, Chris (NJ)
Upton, Fred (MI)
Lots of tough talk, but when are the local gun clubs and groups going to get one of theirs to run PRIMARIES against these RINO’s? You don’t need term limits to get rid of these traitors, primary them away.
And even if its a losing cause because they have the party machine behind them, a primary challenge forces them to spend money and time beating the gun guy back. Further, it provides an opportunity to debate the gun rights issues in public forums which helps educate the voters
Why vote republican? There is already way too many democrats in Congress. I am beginning to understand why so many people don’t bother to vote and just stay home and watch a movie.
Rep. Buchanan FL16 is my representation in Congress, how lucky I am that he’s doing so much our Second Amendment Rights. How humorous that Rep. Buchanan has portrayed himself as a protector of gun rights.
Please make sure you know what your local politicians are doing to protect your Constitutional rights. Thanks Vern I’ll
remember your love of individual liberties.
I would lol, but the comments, regarding ‘voting’ as the way to fix our issue are too sadly being promoted by the ill-informed. Our vaunted, esteemed, educated, intelligent Electorate, none of that which it is, illustrated in that last mid-term election how STUPID are the American people, at least those that do vote! Problem being, only less than 50% of voting age eligible people actually VOTE, and that 50% are stupid enough to believe that the likes of Pelosick or Scrumer should be given control of ANYTHING more important than ‘toilet watch.’ Americans, sitting on their hands, failing to become… Read more »
Submitting to liberalisms “extended” background check will gain Americans nothing. Liberals will scheme to disarm this nation no matter how many background checks are cleared. Americans should squelch future liberal anti-gun actions the most effective way of all. By burying them with 100% non-compliance!