H.R.5717 and S.3254 were some of the worst gun control legislation we’ve seen. Bills like this should definitely get your attention if you are a gun owner in the USA. The leftist elitists in this country are working in ways you never imagined. In short, if you have firearms or have thought about getting a firearm for self defense, it is absolutely imperative that you stop and do everything possible to oppose new bills like H.R.5717 and S.3254 every time they are proposed.
We have seen bills introduced here and there that threaten our gun rights almost every year. The intent behind them is to chip away at our rights little by little in such a way that you really don’t notice. Pretty much along the lines of the boiling frog theory. The Gun Control Left figured it would be an excellent time to sneak through the most unconstitutional, anti-gun legislation the country has ever seen while America was being distracted by Covid-19. This bill included every piece of anti-gun legislation that has ever been introduced all in one bill.
If H.R.5717 and S.3254 were to have passed, it would have ended all gun rights in this country with one fell swoop.
Here is a brief breakdown of what was in it.
Federal Firearms Owner’s License
Title 1 required the American citizen to have a Federal Firearms Owner’s License to purchase, acquire, or possess firearms or ammunition. In short, this means the individual must pass a firearms training safety course that includes a written test and a shooting qualification. How is a person to become skilled enough to pass a shooting qualification if they aren’t able to purchase a firearm to learn with? I can only imagine how ridiculously difficult they would have made that shooting qualification should legislation like this ever pass.
To be clear, if you are a gun owner today, in order for you to buy ammo after this bill would have passed, you would need a Federal Firearm Owner’s License.
The individual may be granted the license only after the Attorney General had determined him/her eligible. Far from how the 2nd Amendment reads.
This bill also placed a restriction on the number of guns an individual could purchase to one firearm per month.
Firearms and Ammunition Tax
If H.R.5717 passed, it would have imposed a 30% tax on the sale of all firearms. Furthermore, it would have placed a tax of 50% on all ammunition.
Assault Weapons Ban
First of all, let’s make it clear that there is no such thing as an “assault weapon”. The term assault weapon is nothing more than a term made up by the media and the government. The same holds true for the term “assault rifle”. There is no such thing as an assault rifle. The AR found in the names of some sporting rifles does not, and has never meant, Assault Rifle. It stands for Armalite Rifle. Again, the media has coined the AR to mean Assault Rifle to push an agenda.
Let’s discuss what firearms fall under their definition of an assault weapon and would have been banned if this bill passed. You simply may not believe it. I will only cover the most blatant and invasive definitions in the interest of brevity.
- A semi-automatic shotgun that has one of the following – a fixed magazine that can hold more than 5 rounds, has a forward grip or a pistol grip, a stock that can collapse or fold in some way, or the ability to accept a detachable magazine.
- A semi-automatic pistol that has one of the following – a threaded barrel, a stabilizing brace of some sort, a foldable or collapsable stock, a barrel shroud, or allows for the attachment of a second pistol grip.
- A semi-automatic rifle that has one of the following – can hold more than 10 rounds, has a threaded barrel, a detachable magazine, a stabilizing brace of some sort, a pistol grip, a foldable or collapsable stock, a barrel shroud, or allows for the attachment of a second pistol grip.
- The bill went on to list all variants, copies, or duplicates of any AR or AK variety in addition to well over 150 other rifles or pistols listed in the bill.
- This is, by far, the farthest overreaching gun ban bill that has ever been introduced in the history of the United States. If this bill passed, you would be a felon if you owned any firearms that meet any of this criteria. Chances are, you do.
Red Flag Law or Extreme Risk Protection Order
This proposed federal bill would have instated red flag laws at a national level removing this decision from the states. What this essentially means is your right to possess a firearm for self defense or any other lawful purpose lies in the hands of virtually anyone.
For example, if an ex-girlfriend wants to “get back” at her ex-boyfriend, all she would have to do is make up some story that the court believes is “reasonable” to have every one of her ex-boyfriend’s firearms confiscated. Let’s take this example one step further. What if we reverse it? Let’s say the ex-boyfriend wanted to harm the ex-girlfriend, but she inconveniently takes her self defense seriously and is armed. All the ex has to do is file an Extreme Risk Protection Order request against the ex-girlfriend, her firearms will get confiscated by law enforcement, and now she is a sitting duck with no way of defending herself against her estranged ex-boyfriend.
It is important to recognize that this bill detailed that these orders require due process. It is also important to recognize that the courts are typically very liberal and that their decision is solely based on what they deem to be “reasonable”.
Firearm Storage
Most of my students know my position on firearm storage and how it should prevent all unauthorized access. In other words, you should purchase adequate firearm storage before buying the firearm. H.R.5717 would have made it a crime if your firearms were not adequately secured with a penalty of up to five years in prison and/or a $500 fine.
Waiting Period
A new seven day waiting period would have been imposed on any new gun purchases. Remember, this is at the federal level.
Private Transfers
H.R.5717 also required that any firearm private sale or transfer of any kind must go through a licensed dealer. Gone would have been the days a family member could gift or bequeath their firearms to another member of the family or to a friend and be done with it.
In Conclusion
I have tried to cover the most intrusive articles of these bills. There is plenty more that I didn’t cover, but I hope this at least gives you the idea of what our government is up to. If H.R.5717 or S.3254 were to have passed, it would have been the end of our gun rights in this country. It would have done great harm to the ability of the American citizen to defend themselves against violent criminals and a tyrannical government. Please do your part to oppose future bills that are introduced like this. It’s the only method we have to preserve what liberty we have left. You can easily contact Congress and oppose this any bill here.
Be safe,
Joe Shahoud
Joe Shahoud is the owner and lead instructor at Safe Family Defense LLC, a firearms training academy that serves the greater Columbia, SC area specializing in pistol, concealed weapons permits, personal defense, and general education in personal safety. Visit their classes page to see what is available and enroll.
Joe is also the owner of Safe Family Safes, an online retailer that specializes in fast-access smart gun safes and other gear essential to the concealed carry lifestyle.
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