The Second Amendment is among the most cherished of Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, especially to law-abiding gun owners. But lately, liberals and anti-gunners have systematically been attacking the fundamental right to bear arms as provided for in the 2nd Amendment and reaffirmed by the United States Supreme Court in recent decisions.
One U.S. Congressman is attempting to rectify that situation. Congressman Chris Collins (R-NY) introduced H.R. 3576 on July 28, 2017, and it was immediately referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. The bill, known as the “Second Amendment Guarantee Act” (S.A.G.A. Act) seeks to amend title 18, United States Code. It would limit States and municipal governments’ ability to “regulate conduct, or impose penalties or taxes, in relation to rifles or shotguns” more stringent than is provided under Federal law.
As expected, the bill has come under attack.
GOVERNOR ATTACKS BILL AS “RISK TO MILLIONS”
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo calls the legislation a “blatant political ploy.” He issued a statement on July 31, 2017, that said, “This disturbing bill puts New Yorkers in harm’s way — and to make it worse, there is no basis for it,” Cuomo said. “None.”
Cuomo said the bill would put millions of people at risk and that Collins was simply beholden to the gun lobby and special interest groups.
The Governor is not the only outspoken opponent to this piece of legislation. The federal policy director for the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Lindsay Nichols, called S.A.G.A. extreme and that it would impact almost every state.
DEATH KNELL TO NY’S SAFE ACT?
Gov. Cuomo has threatened to file a lawsuit if Congress passes S.A.G.A. because it would effectively negate New York State’s Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Act, Cuomo’s hallmark, major gun control law enacted in 2013. Under the SAFE Act, signed into law by Gov. Cuomo, the ban on certain rifles and shotguns was expanded to include semi-automatic guns with detachable magazines and also banned magazines that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition.
Rep. Collins introduced his bill in response to the SAFE Act, stating in his press conference, “This legislation would protect the Second Amendment rights of New Yorkers that were unjustly taken away by Andrew Cuomo.” Collins went on to add, “I stand with the law-abiding citizens of this state that have been outraged by the SAFE Act and voice my commitment to roll back these regulations.
The Judiciary Committee assigned the bill to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations on September 6, 2017, and is one of the 254 bills presently before this committee. There has been no action taken nor any hearing set on the S.A.G.A. Act.
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