Another round of bipartisan U.S. Senate negotiations is set to begin as they return from their Memorial Day break. Their focus will be on what response they need to take in response to the most recent wave of shootings across the US.
While increasing school safety is a focus any time they have these meetings, “red flag” laws that they have in places like Florida are on the table this time. These laws allow law enforcement to seize guns from people who are deemed to be a risk to themselves or others. Commonly enacted by a concerned friend or family member, the belief is that these laws help solve the problem by allowing them time to get better.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) has been leading the talks outside of sessions and has been the first to extend an olive branch across to Republicans. Speaking with CNN’s “State of The Union” on May 5th, he outlined where he expects things to go.
“Do some significant mental health investment, some school safety money, and some modest but impactful changes in gun laws. That’s the kind of package we’re putting together right now. That’s the kind of package I think can pass the Senate…There’s just a deep, deep fear for our children right now. And also, a fear that government is so fundamentally broken that it can’t put politics aside to guarantee the one thing that matters most to adults in this country – the physical safety of their children.”
Likewise, Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) has been bringing the right side to the table. As a negotiating member of the Senate, and with the left holding a slight voting edge, he is trying to toe the line here as the midterms approach. He spoke with CBS’s “Face the Nation” on May 5th as well. “I think there is a place to land that is consistent with the Second Amendment. It hasn’t been finally resolved but something in the space of expanding background checks I think is very – well, certainly is on the table and I hope will be part of a final package.”
To both of these men, the idea of red flag laws is the solution America needs. In states like New York, people like Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul are pushing for the institution of even further sweeping gun rights. They have already turned the AR-15, or any shoulder-fired rifle really, into a gigantic plastic toy with limited accuracy. All in the name of “safety”.
What they forget is just how broad and pinpointed the Second Amendment is. “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
Broken down, this means that the people have the right to form a militia if needed to keep the American people free. They are allowed to keep and take up arms if necessary to do so. The Government will do nothing to stop this. Every gun regulation they make upon the people of the US is infringing upon this right. While many like to argue that they couldn’t have imagined things like a semiautomatic pistol, an AR-15, or the power of a shotgun, it’s a moot point.
The idea behind the second amendment wasn’t just about hunting as some want to allege. It was behind keeping Americans safe. From all enemies, foreign and domestic. This means from our own government as well as the threat of invaders. It also means we should have the right to be armed like our government is. Not ½ as well, or ¾; but the exact same. The militia that represented our states and the arms our people privately held was the same as our military. Without that level playing field, the balance of equality the founding father wanted to ensure we had is gone.
