GOP Legislator Sides With Democrats On Universal Background Checks
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R -Illinois) attempted to justify his support for universal background checks as an altruistic gesture. Rep. Kinzinger was joined by another seven republicans in supporting H.R.8 also known as the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021.
The bill prohibits individuals from selling guns except through FFLs who would run the necessary background checks. People could only exchange firearms on shooting ranges or when it is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily harm. H.R. 8 passed the House with a 227-203 vote on Thursday.
Rep. Kinzinger released a statement saying that he believes that “background checks are critical to keeping firearms out of the wrong hands, and thus ensuring law-abiding gun owners are not hindered when making a legal purchase.”
He disputed that the bill would create a firearm registry, or prevent family members from loaning or gifting firearms among themselves. However, he stressed that loaning or gifting family members only applied for use at shooting ranges or when there was imminent danger. These two provisions exclude most self-defense scenarios. It also reduces the number of family members who can participate in this transfer.
“But I believe that in order to curb evildoers from having access to firearms, we have to be willing to make some changes for the greater good,” Rep. Kinzinger said. “This legislation by itself will not stop violence. It will help, but the core of our issues cannot be changed by laws. We cannot detect or deter evil by legislating. Accepting the reality that this evil exists is part of it, as well as holding those who commit these crimes accountable.”
Remarkably, Rep. Kinzinger acknowledges that the law would not stop armed criminals from victimizing law-abiding citizens. He also admits that holding criminals accountable would be the proper approach to addressing armed violence.
He also conveniently ignores that H.R. 8 would surely undermine the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. They would be prevented from transferring firearms to law-abiding family members and people in their lives. He also lacks a proper reason for supporting the bill and resorts to making vague political statements such as the bill would make a “better tomorrow for our children.”
It seems that Rep. Kinzinger is desperate to make a political statement. Consequently, he’s willing to bend over backwards to appease the gun grabbers.
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