Reality Takes A Bite Out Of Beto’s Gun Control Vision
Opinion By Larry Keane
Ammoland.com
August 24, 2019
USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- It seems that the gun control ideas of former Congressman and Texas Democrat Robert “Beto” O’Rourke don’t travel well. They didn’t even survive a trip across the Texas state line into Arkansas.
O’Rourke is pushing a campaign platform that embraces an aggressive gun control agenda. It’s another of O’Rourke’s campaign reboots, this time on the heels of the horrific crime that happened in his hometown of El Paso. Instead of recognizing the blame lies with the murderer who committed the heinous crime, O’Rourke’s presidential bid shifted blame to gun rights groups and Congress because they won’t pass poorly drafted and constitutionally-suspect legislation that would not have prevented the tragedy in El Paso or Dayton.
Among O’Rourke’s suggestions are the creation of a national firearms ownership licensing scheme and registry database. Anyone wanting to exercise their Second Amendment rights, under this scheme, would need to do much more than pass the required National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) verification required today.
Beto’s Gun Control Wish List: The plan would call for:
Gun buyers to be over 21, so 18-year-old adults fully vested in their rights would have their Second Amendment rights held in abeyance. A carve-out would exist for those under 21 with hunting licenses to possess a firearm for hunting, but nothing else.
States would administer their own licensing programs, which can be more stringent.
In the absence of a state firearms licensing system, the federal government would administer licenses.
Gun buyers would be screened and authorized by local law enforcement.
Gun buyers would also be required to successfully complete certified gun safety training (without detailing what and who administers the training).
Renew licenses every five years.
Register all guns.
All new guns would be microstamped (even though the technology isn’t feasible or reliable and can be easily foiled by criminals).
Limit gun sales to one a month per individual. Name another constitutional right that is rationed by the government?
Declare anyone or any business that sells five or more guns, a “business,” subject to ATF regulation.
All firearms transfers, even between family members, would need to be completed with a universal background check. Persons seeking a federal gun license would be required to undergo a background check.
Ban on standard capacity magazines and suppressors.
Implementing a mandatory confiscation of modern sporting rifles, labeled as a “national buyback program for banned assault weapons and handguns.” Handgun buybacks would be voluntary. Rifles, not so much. Those who don’t volunteer will be subject to fines.
Increase excise taxes on gun manufacturers and fine gun traffickers to fund the confiscation plan.
Declaring “gun violence” a public health emergency and spend $320 million annually for the CDC and NIH to study gun violence. What pill to take to cure criminal violence is still forthcoming.
Not So Fast
But a funny thing happened when O’Rourke road-tested his newfound plan. His ideas weren’t warmly received by the public at an Arkansas gun show.
The Rest…HERE
