President Biden’s gun control agenda is beginning to take shape. This week, his Administration has called on Congress to enact restrictive gun laws under the guise of common-sense reforms. In truth, these policies amount to an extreme government overreach that put our Second Amendment rights under attack.
The President has called for a ban on assault weapons. The term “assault weapons” is intentionally misused by gun control advocates so that it applies to a broad range of guns and, as a result, some of the most commonly owned guns would be subject to new regulations or even confiscation. Law-abiding citizens in Iowa would be forced to relinquish or register guns they legally own and safely use. This is a clear violation of our Second Amendment rights.
Congressional Democrats have wasted no time setting the stage for an even more radical agenda. The second day of this Congress, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D—TX) introduced H.R. 127, which if passed, would put an end to purchasing and owning guns as we know it in Iowa. This legislation would create a mandatory license and registration process for all guns, including those currently in circulation, create a national federal gun registry, raise the age to purchase and license a gun to 21 and make certain types of ammunition and magazines illegal. It would even require you to notify the U.S. Attorney General if you lend your gun to a friend. The real kicker? It would force all gun owners to pay $800 dollars a year for firearm insurance—effectively placing a hefty tax on all those who own guns and restricting responsible gun ownership only to those who could afford this price tag.
Responsible gun owners in Iowa should not be subject to an additional tax simply for exercising their Constitutional rights, and Congressional Democrats are trying to make the Second Amendment apply only to those who can afford it. This bill would punish those who already own guns, and make it more expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to purchase one in the future. It is an attack on our fundamental liberties and Second Amendment rights.
The Left’s approach to gun legislation is not about safety—it is rooted in expanding government control. It is obvious that those who craft these policies fundamentally do not understand the utility of guns – and harbor hostility toward those who own and use them. Meanwhile, amid the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, an increasing number of Americans have purchased firearms for the first time, particularly women. Many first-time buyers cited increasing violence across the country and fears about defending their families as the reasons for their purchase. The right to self-defense is foundational to our society. The federal government should never make it harder for law-abiding Americans to protect themselves or their families—doing so is in blatant violation of our Constitution.
The extreme proposals floated by the White House and Congress would make our country less free and less safe. I want to be clear: I will always stand up for our Second Amendment rights. Law-abiding citizens in Iowa and across this country have the inalienable right to keep and bear arms—and that right shall never be infringed.
