Congressman Lance Gooden (R-TX) | Democrats Overstep on Gun Control

Congressman Lance Gooden (R-TX) | Democrats Overstep on Gun Control

A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Our Second Amendment cemented the right of all Americans to own firearms. The federal government has enacted many gun control laws since the first one in 1934, yet criminals continue to have easy access to firearms through trafficking, the black market, or theft. Passing additional legislation will have not stop killers.

The Democrats’ proposals for gun control will not eradicate mass shootings, suicide, or violent crime. If our government were to create a mandate requiring citizens relinquish their AR-15’s, not one gang member or criminal would comply. According to the National Institute of Justice, “gun-related homicide is most prevalent among gangs and during the commission of felony crimes.” Only law-abiding citizens would be stripped of their inalienable rights.

The plans proposed by Democrats go too far. For example, increasing background checks on private gun sales may seem like a compromise between opposing camps, but it further violates rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Individuals would be required to use a licensed dealer to sell or transfer a firearm, including heirlooms, to family members. The burden of this law would fall to decent people, not criminals.

The same is true with “Red Flag” legislation. These laws permit individuals to petition to order confiscation of firearms from a person who may commit a crime in the future. While masked as a hopeful compromise, it’s just another excuse for the state to strip certain people of their civil liberties.

The old saying - “Give an inch, they’ll take a mile.” – holds true. Gun control proponents have one clear agenda: abolishing the Second Amendment. I took an oath to protect the Constitution and will continue to defend it.