by John Citizen
“This Just In!!!”The controversial house bill HR376 “Public Safety and Individual Responsibility Act” passed today by a hair thin margin, largely along party lines. The major points of contention revolve around new gun safety laws which would go into effect immediately and even are retroactive on certain “assault weapons”.
New restrictions would include ban on the following weapons and accessories: High capacity magazines (7 rounds or more), semi automatic hand guns higher than 45 caliber, High powered (308 caliber) semi automatic rifles manufactured after 1950.
In addition to these bans increased restrictions would be placed on conceal weapons permits, gun registration and limitations on firearm purchases. Firearm manufacturers would no longer be protected from lawsuits from victims of gun violence. There will be a minimum 10 day waiting period on the purchase of any firearm, and a 2 day waiting period for ammunition, regardless of conceal carry permits, type of weapon etc. these stipulations in addition to increased taxes and other restrictions have caused wide spread protests by the NRA as well as other gun rights groups.
Speaker Pelosi responded to criticism of the bill today, “Those who oppose this bill should take the time to read some of the heartbreaking stories from men such as Mr. Brady as well as the hundreds of law enforcement officers that died last year as a result of gun violence. This bill does not prevent law abiding citizens from owning firearms; it implements common sense regulations to ensure that our brave law enforcement officials, as well as everyday citizens, will not be put in danger in order to protect irresponsible distribution of potentially dangerous weapons.”
Sen. Feinstein who authored the initial Bill stated, “Finally our congress has had the ability to act on much needed legislation. To gun owners and sportsman, I say this is not an attempt to confiscate or infringe upon your constitutional rights; it is merely an attempt to protect all citizens from firearms getting into the hands of criminals. Furthermore this puts gun manufacturers on the same level as other purveyors of potentially dangerous products. We are giving gun manufacturers an opportunity to produce a safer product by allowing private citizens to hold them accountable for the products they make and distribute. ”
Sen. Boxer reported, “Just as the government was needed to hold big tobacco accountable for their share of the misery wrought from lung cancer and other complications associated with smoking, now gun manufactures have been sent a powerful message that they will no longer be able to avoid justice when their products are used to harm children or kill our police. The additional taxes allowed for in this bill will also be able to fund programs for victims of gun violence from counseling to prosthetics.”
Vice President of the NRA Wayne LaPierre responded with this, “I think the Congress would have never considered such a bill if we didn’t have an activist Supreme Court newly packed with President Obama’s radical appointees. It would not be at all surprising to find that a 5 to 4 majority will somehow read into the constitution the new restrictions, regulations and taxes that this “statist” congress and administration have passed. For all those who said it couldn’t happen here it is time to open your eyes to what judicial activism has done to not only the second amendment, but to the constitution as a whole.
Those who advocate this legislation will no doubt be surprised when the same court that writes legislation form the bench in their favor, eventually turns on them. It is a sad day for our Republic but the NRA is determined to support and defend our Constitutional right to keep and bear arms.”
President Obama plans to sign the bill into law on Wednesday along with various law enforcement officials and victims of gun violence.
Some Governors have already stated that they will not implement the bill as they believe it to be unconstitutional according to the 2nd and 10th amendments. State Law makers in Texas, Montana, Kentucky, Alabama and Mississippi have already passed protest legislation in response to the bill; with similar bills still pending in Georgia, Utah, Idaho, North Dakota and Virginia. South Dakota, North Carolina and Nebraska are also said to be considering similar action.
“This bill is an assault not just on the right to keep and bear arms, the very right that makes the rest of our right possible, it is an assault on state sovereignty specifically and our federalist concept generally. What may appear to be just an infringement on gun owners and gun manufacturers is really another just encroachment by an ever expanding federal government which is becoming less and less concerned with its constitutional limitations.” said Gov. Perry of Texas earlier today.
The NRA has already prepared for a long court battle over the constitutionality of the act. It is a foregone conclusion that the act will gradually make its way to the Supreme Court within the next 2 years.
(This reports is a work of fiction – or is it?)