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CAPITOL HILL REPORT
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Fewer Thoughts and Prayers More “Action”
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This week both Chambers reconvened after spending the last month working in their home districts. The House Judiciary Committee has been busy working on three pieces of gun-related legislation.
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 House Democrats are using the recent atrocious acts of violence against innocent people in Texas and Ohio to continue their campaign against “thoughts and prayers.” As Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) put it, “We’ve had enough thoughts and prayers to end gun violence. Now is the time for action…” Tuesday, the three bills passed on party lines through the Committee, making way for their passage on the House Floor.
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The first bill, H.R. 1236, or the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019 is what is commonly referred to as a red-flag law. If enacted, the legislation would give grants to states for the purpose of identifying individuals determined to be a danger to themselves or others. If this determination is made, a person’s gun can be confiscated without notice or an opportunity for the individual to discuss the decision. In his opening remarks, Ranking Member Doug Collins (R-GA) rightly pointed out that “…it’s unthinkable that this bill doesn’t require a law enforcement officer to independently substantiate the claim and that there are no penalties for making a false claim against someone.” Red-flag laws, like H.R. 1236, should be “unthinkable” because they violate every American’s Constitutional right to both the Second Amendment and due process.
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The second bill the Committee considered was H.R. 1186 or the Keep Americans Safe Act. This legislation bans magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, making sale or ownership of these magazines illegal. Millions of Americans already own and use guns with these magazines safely. As Collins said, H.R. 1186 will keep these weapons “in the hands of criminals who will use them to victimize law-abiding citizens.”
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Lastly, the Judiciary Committee considered H.R. 2708, or the Disarm Hate Act, which prevents a person convicted of a misdemeanor hate crime from obtaining a firearm. This legislation will threaten a person’s First and Second Amendment rights through its vague definition of hate crimes.
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It is disappointing that these measures were voted out of Committee and now head to the House Floor. Eagle Forum will continue to monitor these bills and fight against all attempts to dismantle the Second Amendment.
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Questions or legislative concerns, please don't hesitate to contact our D.C. Executive Director Kirsten Hasler directly via email at [email protected]Â or phone at 202-445-8531.
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