Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Gun Control Sneaks by Lackadaisical Republicans
The Houston Courant ^ | July 25, 2020 | A. Johnson

Posted on 07/25/2020 7:04:52 AM PDT by The Houston Courant

House Republicans were asleep at the wheel this week and missed a major piece of gun control legislation buried deep in the original text of H.R. 6395, a $740.5 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Tuesday—legislation they had unanimously voted out of committee.

While the House Armed Services Committee vote to move the bill to the Floor of the House of Representatives two weeks ago went swimmingly for interested parties, the road to the finish line was brutal.

Hundreds of amendments were proposed, and the parliamentary proceedings to sort through the mess forced members to physically stand on the chamber floor for a series of votes over the course of two consecutive days—excruciating work indeed. Eventually around 5:30 PM on Tuesday evening, the bill passed, 295-125 with a veto-proof majority. There were 9 Republicans not voting, 108 voting “yea,” and 81 voting “nay.”

With this final passage, the U.S. House of Representatives finished its work on this spending “masterpiece,” and more than half of Republicans were now on record in support of “red flag” gun confiscation orders (GCOs) for the Armed Services.

On page 343 of 1427 lay a section stating: “a military court protective order issued on an ex parte basis shall restrain a person from possessing, receiving, or otherwise accessing a firearm.”

Understood in context, Section 542 of the bill codified a new “red flag” gun confiscation order program enforceable against any person subject to the United States Code of Military Justice—meaning both active duty military and retirees, among others. Because these would be issued on an ex parte basis, the gun owner would get no notice, no attorney, and no ability to defend himself against the accusations—in short, no due process.

You might ask, what is gun control doing in an annual national defense appropriations package?

But anti-gunners had asked themselves a better question at least several weeks earlier: why not enact gun control in a national defense bill?

Gun owners should count themselves lucky that the final text of the 2021 NDAA will be determined through conference negotiations in the coming weeks with Senate Republicans and the White House.

GOA informed Congress of the danger in this bill and activated our members with an action alert to highlight this egregious gun control—urging representatives to vote “nay.”

But in the end, only some Republicans voted against the measure.

Was it because the other Republicans support gun confiscation orders?

Not exactly.

Republicans voted against a weaker form of “red flag” gun confiscation in the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization of 2019. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi refrained from bringing GCOs to the floor for a vote alongside universal background checks pursuant to a lack of support earlier this Congress, as well.

If Republicans in Congress are generally opposed to GCOs, why did they vote in favor of the bill?

Twenty-three Republicans failed to read the 1427-page bill before they voted it out of committee, and the rest of Congress spent more time drafting riders and divining their election polls than evaluating the legislation’s merit.

Establishment media reported that the upcoming vote was about whether to rename military bases presently named after Confederates, inciting the President to formally threaten a veto.

Rather than standing strong against gun control by voting against the legislation and force Pelosi to restart the legislative process, these 108 Republicans decided to vote on the cancel-culture issue they assumed would help distance themselves from Trump in their re-election bids.

Just like that, 108 Republicans went on record in favor of ex parte gun confiscation for our active and retired military men and women. This is what enabled “red flag” gun confiscation to pass the House of Representatives in a veto-proof majority with Republican support.

For now, there is strong support for the Second Amendment in the U.S. Senate, and this chamber will likely fight to remove this egregious language in conference negotiations. But the Senate is hardly composed of hard-working stalwarts, and no one can guarantee we will retain control of the Senate after the November elections either.

Even if Republicans do retain control of the Senate, this episode shows how easy it is for Republicans to “accidentally” pass gun control simply because they are asleep at the wheel.

It is said that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. Gun owners must be always on the alert to hold Congress accountable.

You can stay up to date on gun rights issues by signing up to receive Gun Owners of America’s action alerts.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: banglist; blogpimp; goa; guncontrol; liberty; ndaa
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-23 next last

1 posted on 07/25/2020 7:04:52 AM PDT by The Houston Courant
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: The Houston Courant

Lackadaisical Republicans, or complicit republicans? Sad that we have to even ask the question.


2 posted on 07/25/2020 7:10:26 AM PDT by Robert DeLong
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Houston Courant

Deep state Republicans from the Uni-Party.


3 posted on 07/25/2020 7:23:40 AM PDT by ConservativeInPA ("War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength." - George Orwell, 1984)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Houston Courant

This is one of many reasons the Republican party will revert back to complete, utter, total uselessness after Trump finishes two terms.

They’re only once removed from total uselessness right now. The time will be ripe for a new party.


4 posted on 07/25/2020 7:27:48 AM PDT by OKSooner (Saint Nicholas is a real Christian Saint from the 3rd and 4th centuries. John Durham does not exist.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Houston Courant
Democrats are the Cyborg out of the terminator, "It can't be reasoned with, it can't be bargained with. It doesn't feel pity of remorse or fear and it absolutely will not stop"

Republicans counter by flopping endlessly like a beached carp.

5 posted on 07/25/2020 7:43:34 AM PDT by caltaxed (ake)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Houston Courant

Like the bumpstock ban. Yeah, right. Kabuki. Trump started it well and they are just following his lead.. meanqhile the most weapons being sold now is to Abolish America crowd.


6 posted on 07/25/2020 7:46:23 AM PDT by momincombatboots (Ephesians 6... who you are really at war with)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Houston Courant

WEll, there goes the recruiting. I am not reenlisting. Freaging idiots.


7 posted on 07/25/2020 7:48:07 AM PDT by JudgemAll (Democrats Fed. job-security in hatse:hypocrites must be gay like us or be tested/crucified)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Houston Courant

I’m not happy with the wishy-washy Republicans who go along with this sort of rights infringement. Having said that, I also hate that a proposed act can turn into a 1417 page novel, with 32,568,712 amendments buried in it. (Okay, the 32 million amendments is a slight exaggeration, but you get my drift.) It’s just too damn easy to sneak crap like this in to a bill that is totally unrelated.


8 posted on 07/25/2020 7:49:23 AM PDT by deoetdoctrinae (Become a monthly donor and stamp out FReepathons.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Robert DeLong

“Lackadaisical Republicans, or complicit republicans?”

Complicit Uniparty RINOs.

Seekers of an indoctrinated, weaponless, order-following country of cheap labor.


9 posted on 07/25/2020 7:50:29 AM PDT by polymuser (It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and so few by deceit. Noel Coward)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Robert DeLong

“ Lackadaisical Republicans, or complicit republicans? Sad that we have to even ask the question.”
*******

GOP is just lazy, flat out lazy. Just want their paychecks and perks, let the Dems run things...


10 posted on 07/25/2020 7:50:37 AM PDT by snoringbear (,W,E.oGovernment is the Pimp,)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: OKSooner

“The time will be ripe for a new party.”

Will Trump & team get that started in term 2?


11 posted on 07/25/2020 7:52:23 AM PDT by polymuser (It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and so few by deceit. Noel Coward)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Robert DeLong
Lackadaisical Republicans, or complicit republicans?

They are complicit in their lackasicallity. Whatever, just don't blame us and put something in their for the Chamber of Commerce. We're good.

12 posted on 07/25/2020 8:01:05 AM PDT by AndyJackson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: The Houston Courant
I listened to part of it on C-Span. The R's lost a bunch of amendments on voice vote. They have the right to call the roll but they did not. They made a few speechjes about how they opposed this or that, or how deeply they cared about the military. But it was all talk.
13 posted on 07/25/2020 8:12:25 AM PDT by palmer (Democracy Dies Six Ways from Sunday)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Houston Courant; Robert DeLong
House Republicans were asleep at the wheel this week and missed a major piece of gun control legislation

And it should tell those of you who are still clinging to the idea that the GOP can be a force for good or can reverse or even slow the decline of this nation to please WAKE UP.

If you support or elect Republicans this is what you will get.

Things will not improve until the GOP is destroyed.

14 posted on 07/25/2020 8:15:05 AM PDT by Jim Noble (Think like youÂ’re right, listen like youÂ’re wrong)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim Noble

Well not so fast there Jim. You are painting with a wide brush, besides the alternatives are even worse.


15 posted on 07/25/2020 8:25:26 AM PDT by Robert DeLong
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: The Houston Courant

After 30 years no retiree is subject to the UCMJ. To prosecute a retiree prior to the 30 year mark requires the individual be brought back to full active duty first.

This is a red herring. Under the UCMJ the military can already confiscate your guns, technically, if you are on active duty and live in base housing. But you are suppose to store personal weapons at the armory if you live in the barracks or base housing. They just deny you access to the armory. If you live out in town, your spouse can keep the guns, but they can order you to the barracks and restrict you there. I have had been involved in situations where guns were removed or the member was removed. However, the guns still belong to the member and as in one case were returned as soon as the member was discharged.


16 posted on 07/25/2020 8:36:52 AM PDT by OldGoatCPO (No Caitiff Choir of Angles will sing for me)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The Houston Courant

the republicans that allowed this aren’t lackadaisical... they’re complicit. Big Difference.

AND that explains everything you need to know about who wants power and that you are all just pawns.


17 posted on 07/25/2020 8:42:56 AM PDT by Dick Vomer (2 Timothy 4:7 deo duce ferro comitante)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeInPA

Do not be surprised if the military wanted that amendment and Congress was asked by the DOD to include it. Gun violence on bases is almost non-exsistent. The DOD by in large has a lot of anti-gun types in leadership. In uniform and out.


18 posted on 07/25/2020 8:43:02 AM PDT by OldGoatCPO (No Caitiff Choir of Angles will sing for me)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: momincombatboots
"....meanwhile the most weapons being sold now is to Abolish America crowd."

Sorry, but I don't believe that. Show me the data. (Personal note...NRA Life Member).

19 posted on 07/25/2020 9:02:36 AM PDT by Wonder Warthog (No Longer Tolerating Trolls!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: The Houston Courant
"Even if Republicans do retain control of the Senate..."

You probably don't need to worry about that happening.

But right now everyone needs to stockpile as many weapons and as much ammo as possible because one of these days, maybe but probably not, there might actually be TWO sides fighting "Civil War II"; those weapons just might come in handy.

20 posted on 07/25/2020 9:09:12 AM PDT by PermaRag (WANTED: millions of patriotic gun owners who are willing to trade bullets for freedom)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-23 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson