Bill would stop administration from using a public health emergency as a loophole to impose gun control measures
U.S. SENATE – U.S.Senator Steve Daines joined a group of his Republican colleagues to introduce the “Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act” to prevent President Biden and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from declaring a public health emergency to impose gun control.
Earlier this month, the Governor of New Mexico instituted a public health emergency for the purposes of suspending the 2nd Amendment-protected carrying of firearms. This comes after years of activist groups encouraging the Biden administration, specifically HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, to take the same path to impose gun control by executive fiat.
“Democrats seem confused, but the Constitution is clear – the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed,” said Daines. “Washington bureaucrats will do anything to promote their gun-grabbing agenda, including abusing public health emergencies. I won’t stand for it, and I will always protect Montanans’ Second Amendment rights.”
The “Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act” is sponsored by Senators Mike Braun (R – Ind.), Thom Tillis (R- N.C.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and John Thune (R-S.D.).
This legislation is endorsed by the Gun Owners of America.
“Protecting the Right to Protect and Bear Arms Act”:
- Prohibits the President or their designee, from declaring an emergency pursuant to the National Emergencies Act or major disaster pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in order to impose gun control.
- Prevents the Secretary of Health and Human Services from declaring a public health emergency pursuant to the Public Health Service Act for the purpose of imposing gun control.
- Prevents any government official from prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or transfer of a firearm or ammunition during a disaster or emergency.