Red states like Iowa, Georgia and Ohio are seeking to adopt state bans that stop law enforcement from enforcing federal gun control laws. Lawmakers in these states are weighing bills built around a Missouri law prohibiting the enforcement of unconstitutional policies.
Iowa, Ohio, Georgia, and other red states, are weighing in-state bans on the enforcement of federal gun controls deemed infringements on gun rights. https://t.co/uTfnjJ2HM1
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) February 26, 2023
Proponents of the bills say that they will stop law enforcement from enforcing gun restrictions, such as a rule that limits the use of pistol braces used to stabilize pistols while firing.
Rep. Jeff Shipley (R-IA), who is the main sponsor of the legislation, explains that the pistol brace rule is another instance of the Biden administration using law enforcement to do its “dirty work.”
The movement is supported by Carroll County Attorney John Werden, who says that the measure is a way of pushing back against federal overreach and infringement on state rights.
“I don’t see this as a liberal or conservative issue. I see it as a states’ rights issue,” he said.
In November, the people of Iowa voted in favor of a constitutional amendment that expands slightly on citizens’ gun rights protections stated in the Second Amendment of the constitution.
“The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed,” the amendment reads. “The sovereign state of Iowa affirms and recognizes this right to be a fundamental individual right. Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.”
Aside from Missouri, other states like Nebraska, Arizona and Montana have a ban on federal gun control enforcement. On Feb. 8, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland declaring that the pistol brace rule would not be enforced in his state.
“This decision further erodes the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Montanans. Our right to keep and bear arms is integral to Montana’s and our nation’s rich heritage, and this rule directly violates our long-held traditions,” he wrote.
Garland added that the design and intent of stabilizing braces, which is to assist disabled veterans in firing large-format pistols, were not considered in the federal pistol brace rule.
In a tweet at the time, he said, “Our right to keep and bear arms is integral to Montana’s and our nation’s rich heritage. That’s why we prohibited the enforcement of federal gun bans in Montana, like ATF‘s pistol brace rule.”
Our right to keep and bear arms is integral to Montana’s and our nation’s rich heritage. That's why we prohibited the enforcement of federal gun bans in Montana, like @ATFHQ's pistol brace rule. pic.twitter.com/Hq34yU16PZ
— Governor Greg Gianforte (@GovGianforte) February 9, 2023
