U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- President Biden’s nominee to serve as United States Secretary of the Interior, U.S. Representative Deb Haaland (D-NM), is yet another cog Biden hopes to fit into his administration’s anti-gun machine. Perhaps it would be more newsworthy if we only reported on Biden nominees that don’t support gutting the Second Amendment, but then we might have nothing to say.
As for Haaland, in her brief stint in Congress, to which she was first elected in 2018, she has made it clear she does not support the right to keep and bear arms. When it comes to guns, Haaland has expressed her desire to see most semi-automatic firearms banned under the guise of an “assault weapons” ban, even co-sponsoring legislation that would ban such firearms in 2019. She has also voted for so-called “universal” background check legislation, as well as so-called “Charleston loophole” legislation that would allow unelected government bureaucrats to cause indefinite delays for law-abiding Americans when they attempt to purchase firearms.
Considering the Secretary of the Interior has quite a bit of influence over hunting and recreational shooting policies on federal land, her support for gun bans and other restrictive gun control is clearly problematic. Not only would such measures be unconstitutional infringements on the Second Amendment, but they would negatively impact revenue raised through the Pittman-Robertson Act, which is used to help fund wildlife conservation efforts. Pittman-Robertson raises money through an excise tax on firearms and ammunition, so efforts to diminish what firearms may be sold, or that would discourage people from purchasing firearms, would lead to a decrease in funds available for conservation efforts.
But it gets even worse.
During testimony for her confirmation hearing, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) asked Haaland if she would commit to the concept of no-net-loss when it comes to federal land available for hunting – she refused. This concept, which has been codified in numerous states, would simply establish that if a certain area of federal land that had been available for hunting opportunities needs to be closed to public use for hunting, then an equal and comparable area should be opened to compensate for the loss to the hunting public.
Senator Daines also asked Haaland if she supports banning the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on public lands – again she refused to answer. Protecting traditional ammunition was something the previous administration had done not just in word, but in action.
And while the nominee claimed in her testimony that she would “look at the science” before imposing rules or restrictions that may impact hunters on federal lands, her past legislative efforts show she takes emotional, rather than scientific, positions on hunting.
Haaland has a history of co-sponsoring and voting for legislation that would place scientifically unwarranted restrictions on hunting healthy populations of grizzly bears, gray wolves, and countless other wildlife species, including in other countries. She has also called for banning trapping on all public lands, not for scientific conservation reasons, but, as she stated in her testimony because her “constituents were concerned about that issue….”
Clearly, Representative Haaland’s track record demonstrates that she would not protect the interests of hunters, recreational shooters, and sportsmen as Secretary of the Interior – as a result, the NRA opposes her confirmation. Her nomination currently awaits consideration by the full U.S. Senate, but a vote is yet to be scheduled. NRA-ILA will keep you apprised of any developments.
About NRA-ILA:
Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess, and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org
Not one of Creepy Joe’s nominees are qualified or capable of holding any position of responsibility. Their ideology precludes their nomination.
Any person that Biden will pick for an office that requires senate confirmation will have anti-gun traits or they won’t be picked by Biden.
Time for the republicans to play hardball and turn down these anti constitution picks the administration puts out there.
Either they follow the law and rights we have or they must get out of politics, enough is enough.
I am curious as to what oath these people take ? And why there’s no punishment when they break this oath ? Why should I take anything they say or do serious ? Go ahead make me a outlaw & I will start acting like one.
These people clearly do not care about the Constitution. It almost seems they are getting paid to ignore the Constitution. I guess that is why they get rich serving in an elected position. I wonder why the dumb asses get elected to start with. I also wonder if they think they will be spared when the great cleansing comes along. As Arny stated, “go ahead and make us outlaws and see what happens”.
With a “D” behind the name, there is almost never punishment for anything, including clear treason.
Women do not “look at the science” or “look at the law” before making a decision, they “look to their feelings” as evidenced by the Liberal woman on the SCOTUS.
Conservative Women do not do this.
Joe is ilegitiment in most peoples eyes so anyone he puts in any position in not legit either and neither is any executive orders he signs . The ilegit clown will be ignored for the next 4 years . Reptile swamp creature Joe can go F*** himself for the next 4 years.
I read with amusement that anyone actually thinks that “Joe” is doing any of these nominations. Mr. biden is less than a puppet figurehead, he is so effected by dementia that even when he reads the teleprompter he cannot deliver obama’s message well. Biden isn’t doing anything but taking naps in the whitehouse.
Haaland, Becerra, and many other nominees are completely unqualified to serve. It’s like the dimms are selecting the most radical leftists for each position available to ensure several get through to cause the most damage possible.
If Americans sit this one out they deserve whats coming.
Just putting all the pieces in place to finish over running and transforming America……and, possibly kicking off the Second American Revolution.
I, too, have trouble with traditional trapping. Still, her appointment bothers me. I am a tribal member and, if I were a senator, I would vote against her confirmation.
I found that telling the president at whitehouse.gov will get you blocked. I objected to nearly every nominee and policy of the Biden gang, and was blocked from commenting.