Gun Control

Of the many pieces of legislation that House Democrats have forced votes on recently, there were two bills that stood out. They both had to do with gun control, and unsurprisingly they were liberal, progressive, and would do nothing to stop the tragedies like we saw in Colorado.

Bipartisan Background Checks Act

• House Dems championed this extreme gun control legislation that will infringe upon our Second Amendment right to bear arms. The so-called "Bipartisan Background Checks Act" was yet another liberal attempt to suppress the rights of law-abiding citizens. While the left says this is common sense reform, we know it is far from reasonable. Universal background checks won't deter criminals from getting firearms through the black market or theft, and it would likely lead to a national gun registry. This "bipartisan" legislation was simply this: progressive and extreme gun control.

Enhance Background Checks Act

• This bill had only one end goal: infringe upon the Second Amendment until it no longer exists. By eliminating the 3-day period the FBI has to conduct a federal background check and delaying it for an indefinite period of time, the right to bear arms is entirely in the government's hands. If passed by the Senate, this extreme measure would curb the rights of millions of Americans to protect themselves and their loved ones, and it would dismantle a provision meant to protect our Second Amendment rights. 

Bottom Line:  Democrats say they want more gun control to protect lives.  The reality is that's just a smoke screen.  What's really at play here is that they don't want citizens to have weapons, only the government.  A study in 2008 found that 78% of all gun crimes are committed by people who have illegal weapons.  And the vast majority of legal gun owners, are law abiding citizens who never harm anyone.

Biden's First 50

Earlier this month we reached the 50 day mark of President Biden's administration. Typically, the 100 day mark is the barometer for how a President is doing - but in just 50 days we have seen exactly how Joe Biden governs. He has put pen to paper and signed a record number of Executive Orders, while also taking direction from the far left side of his party. It's clear that President Biden has been on a 50 day drive to divide, and that must come to an end. The Biden Administration can change course, but it will be up to them to do so.

If you didn't get a chance to read my op-ed on President Biden's first 50 days in office, you can read it here.

Around the District

A question I get a lot is "how often is Congress in session?"  Well, other than the month of August, Congress is in session every month of the year. We periodilly take one week recesses called District Work Periods where members work and visit with people back home.   This past week was one of those weeks.

It was great touring Walker Baptist Hospital earlier this week. While this area has been hit hard by the Coronavirus, there were only three COVID-19 patients there when I visited - a sure sign of improvement.

I spoke at a lunch meeting of the Lamar County ALFA group.  In the photo above I'm joined by Joe Anders of the Tuscaloosa ALFA group who also serves on ALFA state board of directors.  And by Will Gilmer, President of the Lamar County ALFA.

I also got a chance to meet with several Shoals area mayors.  From left to right, Kerry Underwood (Tuscumbia), Steve Stanley (Sheffield), Sandra Burroughs (Lexington), Mike Lockhart (Muscle Shoals) and Andy Betterton (Florence).

One FInal Note

I hope you will join me in praying for our neighbors just to the south.  They were hit hard by Thursday's tornadoes.  Down in Calhoun County in Congressman Mike Roger's district, five people were killed, including three from one family.  The 4th District knows the tragedy of deadly tornadoes all too well, so we know what they are going through.  Those people, especially those who lost loved ones, are in need of our prayers.