ANALYSIS – The Senate now appears set to pass reasonable and bipartisan gun safety legislation. And this is a very good thing.
This is due to key Republican support for the measures which include providing billions of dollars in mental health grants to states, restricting gun buying for convicted domestic abusers and individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders, and strengthening background checks for gun buyers between the ages of 18 and 21.
The bipartisan framework gained momentum after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) endorsed it Tuesday.
Ten other Senate Republicans, led by Sen. John Cornyn (Texas), the chief Republican negotiator, have already signed onto the framework.
While some leftist activists see this as a win for gun control, it isn’t.
These common-sense gun safety measures are a far cry from banning guns, banning AR-15 style rifles, or ‘high capacity’ magazines, as the radical left wants.
Republicans rightly rejected all Democratic proposals to restrict gun ownership, including universal background checks, banning people between the ages of 18 and 21 from buying AR-15-style rifles and a 21-day waiting period for 18- to 21-year-olds for all gun purchases.
What they backed are reasonable ideas that will help keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals, domestic abusers and mentally ill individuals and boost funding for mental health treatment, which is the root cause of most mass shootings.
Some of these popular proposals, which I back, were included in the thoughtful column written by actor Matthew McConaughey which I wrote about here.
The Hill reported that:
McConnell said a poll of gun owners presented by Cornyn at the Republican lunch on Tuesday showed “support for the provisions of the framework is off the charts” and “overwhelming.”
The GOP leader specifically highlighted the proposal in the framework to give the National Instant Criminal Background Check System access to the juvenile crime records of gun buyers between 18 and 21 years old, praising it as “a step in the right direction.”
As for the more controversial ‘Red-Flag’ laws. Per my comments in my earlier piece, The Hill noted that:
Cornyn emphasized the legislation will not create a national red flag law to take guns away from people deemed a danger to their community. Instead, the bill would provide money to states to implement their own gun safety laws.
This is key. As I noted in my piece, I would support so-called ‘Red Flag’ provisions similar to the ones enacted by Republicans in Florida: “But only if it is done at the state and local level.”
I added:
As the 2nd Amendment states: Congress can pass no law to abridge our right to bear arms.
These court orders must also not have any connection to ‘no-fly’ or other government watch lists which are notoriously faulty.
And this current legislation avoids all that.
“Some have mischaracterized this provision as an incentive for states to pass a red-flag law, but that’s something I’m trying to avoid,” Cornyn said on the Senate floor Tuesday. “Congress should not only send federal funding to those states, but also other states that are doing things to deal with people in crisis.”
Meanwhile, the National Rifle Association (NRA) is laying low, saying it won’t take a position on the framework until it sees legislation. According to Cornyn, who has an A+ rating from the group, they did offer “suggestions, advice, I guess, or technical pointers” after members began drafting the legislation.
Republicans should back this gun safety framework because it’s good legislation, but it’s also good politics less than five months ahead of the midterms.
It’s an especially winning issue for suburban women, whom Republicans have struggled to appeal to in the last two election cycles and are rightfully fearful of their shootings at their kids’ school. ADN
I’ll do my own gun safety thank you. And I will never be controlled. Start with locking up anyone making threats and keep them for several years. And keep violent felons locked up. Being a felon with a gun should be mandatory no bail, no parole and 25 years
These psychopaths are let go in a ever revolving door, and these incidents are occurring more frequently because of George Soros DA’s who won’t lock them up because they’re after an Agenda 21.
As usual these stupid ass holes who want your gun rights eliminated are trying to convince
some weak Republicans to jump on the band
wagon To make laws to satisfy there
deep seated need to make the world less safe for the average family who will never hurt anyone using a gun or any other kind of weapon. We must let these Marzist commies know they will never let them take our means to protect our families. Some one said just say No. That applies to what we the lawful public
are saying to The Marzist commies.
Won’t matter. Crazy is as crazy does.
Red flag laws are Unconstitutional to begin with. None of this so called “gun control” is good at all. Anyone who supports red flag laws needs to read upon on them and understand they are guilty until proven innocent and do not get representation when it goes in front of a judge. If someone doesn’t agree with you, or a pair you made is social media, all they have to do is turn you in on red flag laws and bam, there goes your guns and your rights. I didn’t agree with Trump’s stance on them either as he supported them as well.
“Shall NOT be INFRINGED!” Second Amendment is written Law. The nut cases are most likely fringe insane Democrats. Republicans who would sign onto removing guns from lawful good citizens are no better than tyrants who setup these incidents. We know who you are and we know what you want to do. You’ll have to remove mine from my COLD DEAD HANDS!
There should be no federal funding to encourage the states to develop their own red flag laws. The subject (victim) of an exparte red flag hearing has no idea of what is going on and no chance to defend himself or get a lawyer. So much said for being innocent until proven guilty. These red flag laws are unconstitutional as they violate protections under several of the amendments. Also the risk to officers having to enforce these rulings is high.
Bull crap. None of these so called additions would not have stopped the various attacks. Again punish the honest gun keeper not the crook who does not follow the law. There are all kinds of laws on the books …….which are not enforced…ex: felon with a gun caught doing a drive by….let us say. Even if found not guilt of the crime……the law about felon would still apply…..This should be automatic applied above and beyond any other sentence/charge….But seem to be overlooked. and as far as mcconnel goes,,,,,,hope finally when the reps take over a investigation (true one not on for the photo ops) of mcconnell and his WIFE and there connections to china. Wonder how much connection they have and what they get for doing what the CCP tell them to do? He is a rino and may be even a traitor depending on his/hers china connection.
Once again we are being duped into surrendering our Rights with Laws that no Criminal will follow!
John CORNYN the RINO POS! Needs to be RECALLED BACK TO THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS! And REMOVED from ever representing the REPUBLIC of TEXAS AGAIN!
Amen to that but not only Cornyn and the Rino’s (including 2 from NC and one old codger from KY) supporting these so called “red flags” need to be removed due to their lack of knowledge for the Constitution as written. Enforce the current laws!
There’s only one “common sense” gun control law in this country and that’s the 2nd amendment. Period.
Clean up gun crime and illegal weapon selling in major American cities.
Leave law abiding gun owners alone!
No one as of yet has been able to explain where an 18 yr crazy with a part time job at McDonalds, was able to acquire two very expensive rifles, body army, and load of ammo along with a new pick-up truck? What happened to background checks. This kid was already menace killing cats for fun. Instead of trying to punish the populace why don’t we bring back mental institutions because this obviously where this kid belonged. You will not be taking my guns because of your stupidity. Nor will you be taking away my due process.
Gun control is not common sense. Gun free zones are the choice of shooters almost 98% of the time. Common sense would be to arm teachers and administrators and have armed security. Mental illness and antidepressants is the place we need to address to stop these shootings. Also violent video games are also very impressive on young minds, even the military has trained with them.
This so called “article” and authors “opinion” is pure nonsense.
Red Flag Laws are what they say. The ability to remove weapons from law abiding citizens and AMERICAN CITIZENS for any reason so deemed by anyone., including gun grabbing gun haters.
I am sick of RINOS, and I have contacted my Senators and have told them neither I, or any member of my family, including same minded church members, will vote for ANY Republican that does not pledge before election, to NOT support Cocaine Mitch for majority leader.
We will not vote for a lying, Commie Democrat, and they ALL are, but will not vote for a RINO, either.
Enough is enough.
They need to address how to take the guns out of the hands of the criminals instead of the law bidding citizens. They also need to add a penalty for people who report false accusations out of spite. Enforce the laws that are already on the books.
This guy is a jackass. Why are you telling us that negotiating away our rights is a good thing? The legislation being hyped here is a duplicate and expansion of laws already on the books. My Texas Senator, sellout John Cornyn, has lied to us in Texas several times—stating he is a staunch 2A supporter, while repeatedly calling for Red Flag laws which remove due process and shift the burden of proof onto the citizen, after anonymous claims are made through secret hearings to a judge. That is Unconstitutional! There is no such thing as “Common Sense Gun Legislation “, there is only unconstitutional infringement. If you want to shill for the establishment tyranny by trying to convince us that these unconstitutional measures are “great legislation “ because they aren’t as restrictive or even MORE unconstitutional like the democrats want, then YOU are a big part of the problem!!