On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed controversial legislation allowing the state to disarm Americans whom the courts consider to be too dangerous to exercise their Second Amendment rights. The legislation passed on a largely party-line vote and was applauded by President Joe Biden (D).
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Katie Boyd Britt said she opposed the bill and does not support additional gun laws.
"Gun grabbers use so-called 'red flag laws' as a gateway to push their disarming agenda," Britt told 1819 News, following passage of the legislation in the House. "In reality, a 'red flag law' is an abridgment of the Second Amendment and can be abused to take away the right to self-defense with no due process. I do not support additional gun laws that infringe upon our Second Amendment rights. As Senator for Alabama, I will be a champion for preserving and strengthening our God-given Second Amendment rights.”
Supporters say that the legislation establishes extreme risk protection orders, empowering courts to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others.
Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07) said on social media, “Across our nation and right here in Alabama, the epidemic of gun violence is turning our communities into battlefields and leaving our families broken. We in Congress cannot continue to mourn these senseless killings without taking action to prevent them. Now is the time to come together and advance common-sense solutions that will protect our children and families.”
“The Second Amendment, like all other rights, is not absolute,” Biden stated on June 2. “We should also have national red-flag laws so that a parent, a teacher, a counselor can flag for a court that a child, a student, a patient is exhibiting violent tendencies, threatening classmates, or experiencing suicidal thoughts that makes them a danger to themselves or to others. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have red-flag laws. The Delaware law is named after my son, Attorney General Beau Biden.”
Britt shared legislation she plans to champion in response.
“I will introduce a bill to ensure that no state that implements an unlawful and unconstitutional red flag law can be entitled to federal dollars,” Britt said. “Alabamians are proud to exercise our Second Amendment rights for hunting and self-defense — but that is not the purpose of the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment exists to protect citizens from tyranny. Armed citizens are empowered citizens. This is why liberals want to disarm populations to take control — without firearms, Americans can be pushed towards anything.”
Britt is running against Congressman Mo Brooks (R-AL05) for Senate in the June 21 Republican primary runoff. Brooks is also staunchly in favor of Second Amendment rights and opposes red flag laws.
The eventual Republican nominee will face Libertarian John Sophocleus and Democratic nominee Dr. Will Boyd in the Nov. 8 general election.
The red flag legislation now goes to the U.S. Senate for their consideration.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandon.moseley@1819News.com.
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