In the ever-evolving landscape of gun control debates, House Democrats recently made a noteworthy move. A staggering 1,000 percent excise tax has been proposed on items they’re labeling as “assault weapons” and high-capacity magazines. Spearheaded by Rep. Don Beyer from Virginia, this bill is supported by 24 of his Democrat colleagues, even as Republicans narrowly hold the majority in the House.
For context, Beyer had put forth a similar proposal just last year. That legislation aimed at imposing the same heavy tax on any semiautomatic weapon with a capacity to hold over 10 rounds. This move was a quick follow-up to a collective sigh from over 100 Democrats who were disgruntled over the lack of any gun control bills put to a vote in the current session.
But that’s not all. Reports suggest that the Biden administration is mulling a new rule to expand upon the “Bipartisan Safer Communities Act,” enacted last year. This provision seeks to mandate individuals profiting from gun sales to obtain a federal license and ensure background checks. Presently, only federally licensed dealers are obliged to run these checks, and a dealer is typically characterized as someone whose primary income source is from selling firearms.
The Justice Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are diligently sculpting this rule, slated for completion in late 2024. The emerging rule might establish a definitive number of transactions to determine a dealer, with many gun-control advocates rooting for a bar as low as five sales annually. This push also includes stricter scrutiny on businesses bypassing registration through avenues like bank records and storage unit leases.
Gun control group Giffords, established by former Democratic Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona, is in strong favor of these changes, as are Democratic Senators like Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy. However, this unanimous accord isn’t mirrored across the aisle. Organizations such as Gun Owners of America (GOA) are gearing up to contest these shifts.
GOA has expressed its concerns, stating that Republicans should never have consented to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. They believe it has been misused without any tangible benefits to gun owners or enhanced safety in the country. GOA urges Congress to voice its dissent during the public notice phase and actively work towards refuting this perceived overreach.
In conclusion, as the gun control debate remains a pivotal issue in America, it’s crucial for us to maintain a balanced dialogue that respects individual rights while ensuring public safety. The road ahead is long and winding, but with respectful discourse and genuine consideration of all perspectives, we can navigate the complexities together.
