For years, a war has been waged at the state and federal levels over the 2nd Amendment and the gun rights of American citizens. For those who are constitutional purists, the 2nd Amendment and the ‘inalienable right to keep and bear arms,’ is just that- inalienable. For them, it is not the place of government bureaucracy to decide who has the right to possess firearms, or the types of firearms and ammunition that is legal to possess in the first place.
Yet over the years, government and activists have succeeded in growing the regulations around gun ownership in America, with Red Flag Laws being perhaps the most unconstitutional example of all. For the last four years, having a pro-2nd Amendment President and split Congress has kept most new regulations on gun ownership at bay. But now, the arrival of the Biden presidency may very well mark the beginning of a new and aggressive push to further infringe on the 2nd Amendment.
If the campaign trail is any indication of which direction the Biden Administration will go, it appears increased gun control measures will be high on its wish list. Reporting from Axios in the summer of 2020 covers then-candidate Biden’s vision on gun control objectives for his future administration: “universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, more resources toward the enforcement of existing gun laws, a public push for the development of “smart guns,” and incentives for states to adopt “red flag” laws…”
And it appears Biden may now have broad support within the pro-gun control movement, including organizations representing victims of gun violence. One such organization, March for Our Lives, was founded by students and community members in Florida, following the Parkland School Shooting on February 14, 2018. Marking the third anniversary of the tragedy, Biden “…asked Congress to pass laws requiring background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and eliminating immunity for gun manufacturers,” reported CBS News. March for Our Lives publicly supported the President’s comments, lobbying him to go as far as naming a “Gun Czar.”
Seeing the Biden Administration as their moment to strike, many left wing politicians are indeed anxious to get as much gun regulation passed as possible. “My view is the bigger and bolder the better on gun violence prevention because we have a unique window of opportunity.” That’s what Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut had to say, according to Politico.
Democrats, with the support of the Biden Administration, are wasting no time in getting to work realizing their dream of complete government control of the 2nd Amendment. And their first move of the year is the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021. According to Fox News, this act “would further strengthen background check procedures before a federal firearms licensee may transfer a firearm to a person who is not a licensee.” Opponents of Universal Background Checks argue that requiring such intrusions between two private parties selling a legal good is wholly unconstitutional and does not apply to any other legal transaction.
Ultimately, we are only at the starting line of the Biden presidency, but one thing is clear. This Administration will be targeting the 2nd Amendment and will support the most radical elements of the anti-2nd Amendment Left. What they cannot pass via legislative action, could likely be targeted using the stroke of Biden’s executive pen. The 2nd Amendment will be under attack as long as Biden is occupying the Oval Office.
Image Credit: Photo by Jacob Boavista on Unsplash
