Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the National Rifle Association (NRA) are speaking out after the White House’s latest executive order on gun control, which was announced earlier yesterday.
Both organizations heavily criticized the move, describing it as a misguided attempt to clamp down on gun rights and a distraction from the real issues.
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Erich Pratt, Senior Vice President of GOA, took direct aim at the timing of the announcement.
“The White House just made a huge mistake by reminding gun owners of Kamala’s radical, gun-grabbing agenda, with the election a mere month or so away,” said Pratt in a press release obtained by GunsAmerica.
“Kamala Harris just claimed responsibility for each infringement—every banned gun and part—by ATF in the last four years, so we are pushing back and calling her out,” he added.
Pratt’s comments highlight the frustration many 2A advocates feel about the policies being pursued by the Biden-Harris Administration. It’s pretty clear to all of us that the administration is overstepping by using federal agencies like the ATF to enforce unconstitutional gun control measures.
Aidan Johnston, GOA’s Director of Federal Affairs, also weighed in, pointing to the danger he sees in weaponizing background checks.
“Shockingly, Kamala Harris is weaponizing the ‘enhanced background check’ for young adults into a tool for gun confiscation,” he observed.
“If an existing gun owner goes to purchase a new firearm legally, the government may ‘red flag’ them instead and seize their currently owned firearms in the process,” he continued. “The chilling effect this could have on new gun purchases is unimaginable.”
The executive order contains several provisions that have triggered alarm.
Most Notable Executive Orders:
- The use of “red flag” laws to disarm gun buyers during an “enhanced background check”
- $135 million in federal funding offered to states as an incentive to pass and enforce “red-flag” gun confiscation laws and expand “enhanced background” checks
- Pressure on states to modify privacy laws, specifically to allow the federal government access to minors’ records in order to extend waiting periods for adults under 21 attempting to purchase firearms
- The creation of a task force to target homemade firearms, 3D-printed guns, and machine gun conversion devices
- A push for Congress to pass a federal ban on so-called “assault weapons” and bump stocks, along with mandatory “safe-storage” laws and expanded background checks to support the ATF’s gun owner registry
No doubt that these measures represent a serious threat to the 2A and are part of a broader plan to restrict gun ownership in the U.S.
In addition to the GOA’s response, Randy Kozuch, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), also issued a statement.
Kozuch took a broader view of the political context behind the executive order, stating that the Biden-Harris Administration is using the announcement to deflect attention from other, more pressing problems.
“This Executive Order is just one more attempt by the Biden-Harris Administration to deflect attention from their soft-on-crime policies that have emboldened criminals in our country,” said Kozuch.
“The orders are notably heavy on election-year rhetoric and light on substance,” he continued. “It’s no secret that Americans don’t feel safe under the Biden-Harris Administration, as evidenced by the record number of firearms being purchased for the defense of self and family.”
Kozuch’s comments reflect growing concerns about the current administration’s handling of crime and public safety. With violent crime rates on the rise in many urban areas, critics argue that focusing on restricting gun rights ignores the root causes of these issues.
Both GOA and NRA are pointing out the obvious. This executive order is part of a larger effort to curtail Second Amendment rights.
To some extent, we’ve all been on high alert as the administration continues to push for tighter gun control regulations.
The $135 million in funding attached to this executive order is particularly alarming, as it incentivizes states to adopt policies that will lead to more gun confiscations.
Additionally, the expansion of background checks and the push for Congress to pass “assault weapons” bans are a direct attack on gun ownership and individual rights.
GOA and NRA have promised to keep up the fight, with both organizations encouraging their members and supporters to stay informed and engaged in the ongoing battle.
As the 2024 election looms, it’s no time to sit on the sidelines. Get out there. Spread the word.
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