Posted on 01/18/2018 4:59:20 AM PST by marktwain
(1) On or after July 1, 2017, no public funds of this state, or any political subdivision of this state, shall be allocated to the implementation, regulation, or enforcement of any federal law, executive order, rule, or regulation regulating the ownership, use, or possession of firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories.The ATF no longer requires a chief law enforcement officer sign-off for National Firearms Act tax stamps. The bill would not affect those.
(2) On or after July 1, 2017, no personnel or property of this state, or any political subdivision of this state, shall be allocated to the implementation, regulation, or enforcement of any federal law, executive order, rule, or regulation regulating the ownership, use, or possession of firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories.
(e) Contrary to the contention of JUSTICE STEVENS' dissent, the Brady Act's direction of the actions of state executive officials is not constitutionally valid under Art. I, § 8, as a law "necessary and proper" to the execution of Congress's Commerce Clause power to regulate handgun sales. Where, as here, a law violates the state sovereignty principle, it is not a law "proper for carrying into Execution" delegated powers within the Necessary and Proper Clause's meaning. Cf. New York v. United States, 505 U. S. 144, 166. The Supremacy Clause does not help the dissent, since it makes "Law of the Land" only "Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance [of the Constitution]." Art. VI, cl. 2. pp. 923-925.What would the downside, if any, be if this bill were to pass?
One of them will effectively gut the enforecement of the National Firearms Act. It will place even more pressure for reform of the NFA, much of which never made any sense.
Good news. I hope it passes.
Playing devils advocate for a moment.
How does this differ from laws which prohibit state funds and employees from enforcing federal immigration laws?
First, immigration is clearly a federal function, while firearms laws are not.
But anti-commandeering laws can apply to federal immigration laws. The federal government cannot force state or local employees to enforce federal law.
If the state or local governments accept federal money with strings attached, then they accept the conditions that come with the federal money.
It doesn’t matter if it’s gun control or immigration, federal law is federal law and up to the federal government to enforce. While they cannot interfere with federal authorities enforcing federal law, state and local government cannot be required to enforce federal law or be required to aid federal authorities in enforcing federal law. That matter was settled by the Supreme Court back in the mid-1800’s.
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