Dear Neighbor,
Just a quick note to Second Amendment supporters to let them know a pair of bills that would compromise our Second Amendment rights are scheduled for House committee hearings starting at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday in Capitol Room 120.
House Democrats have caused confusion over exactly these hearings will take place by changing the location three times in 72 hours, from a school in Edina to another in Hopkins and, finally back on the Capitol campus. For many reasons, I thought it was a bad idea to have these hearings at schools. Just as questionable is that the House Democrat majority leader took cheap shots at gun owners, calling them “extremists” as he reversed course and moved the hearings back to St. Paul.
As for the gun bills themselves, below is an overview of the two proposals the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Division plans to hear.
Background Check Bill (HF8): While supporters of this bill claim this is about background checks for gun purchases, this bill creates new regulations that will prevent routine transfers between friends and family. In addition, permits to purchase would be limited to one firearm every thirty days, effectively creating a state level gun registry.
Studies show the vast majority of criminally acquired guns are obtained from illegal sources. California enacted a universal background check and a study conducted by UC-Davis found no changes in firearm homicide or suicide rates 10 years later.
We don’t need this bill. The bottom line is criminals aren’t pulling granddaddy’s gun off the mantle to perpetrate violence. Our state already conducts background checks and this bill would only serve to create more bureaucratic hurdles for law-abiding citizens exercising their Second Amendment Rights.
Red Flag Bill (HF9): Democrats have highlighted the need for a red flag law to "temporarily" seize guns from people perceived to be a threat to themselves or others. This bill violates due process and will not stop those who are intent on doing harm to others.
We have laws in place to remove guns from people who may be considered threats to themselves or others. Those going through mental crises can be placed on a 72-hour emergency hold for medical evaluation and potential commitment for further treatment. In cases of domestic violence, Minnesota statute currently directs officers to make an arrest if they believe that domestic violence has occurred in the preceding 72 hours or if the person poses a threat to the alleged victim.
This proposed law removes that due process – and treats people as guilty until proven innocent, which goes against the principles of our legal system – but it won’t save lives because criminals don’t ask for permission to use a gun. And, also of great concern is the fact this bill puts our law enforcement in harm's way by expecting them to knock on someone’s door and seize guns from someone who may not even be aware they have had a seizure levied against them. That’s a bad situation waiting to happen if this bill goes through.
It is very important for Second Amendment supporters to get to the Capitol for these committee hearings this week because we know full well the anti-gun people will come out in droves. I will do my part to deliver my message loud and clear and welcome you to reach out to me using the contact information found in this email if you plan to come to St. Paul for these hearings. I realize it is short notice but, unfortunately, that is par for the course with the way the Democrats are doing things in the House.
As always, I will do my best keep you posted as anti-Second Amendment bills come up.
-Steve