Guns in the News: An Uncertain Future for Gun Owners
Originally published by USCCA
Rick Sapp 12/05/2020
There is little doubt that President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2021. This mean that the legislative and executive branches of our federal government will be in the hands of individuals who aren’t in favor of the Second Amendment.
The Road Ahead?
I’m holding my breath and buying extra ammunition because gun owners, hunters, sport shooters and collectors don’t have any idea what to expect in 2021. I fear that Joe Biden’s victory could lead to:
- Legislative strikes against “large-capacity” magazines. “Do you really need that many bullets to hunt a deer?”
- Prohibiting the private sale of handguns. “Closing the gun-show loophole!”
- Efforts to forbid youth hunts and to raise the age of personal gun ownership to 21. Although regulated by states, anti-gun organizations such as Moms Demand Action, Everytown for Gun Safety and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence will push for it. “Children shouldn’t be exposed to…”
- Legislation to further restrict the hunting of migratory waterfowl, ducks, geese and swans regulated by international treaties. “These birds are endangered. Besides, they’re cute and helpless.”
- A nationwide ban on lead ammo. “To halt the poisoning of wildlife and children.”
- Registration of semi-automatic weapons and confiscation of automatic weapons from collectors. “We know who you are. We know where you live.”
- A national registration requirement for anyone who owns a gun. “Well, you have to have a license to operate a car.”
- Nationwide “red flag” laws or ERPOs.
- Efforts to outlaw semi-automatic weapons — handguns, rifles and shotguns — in private hands and to regulate the carry or even the possession of knives and other edged tools.
- An attempt to crush concealed carry throughout the United States.
- A full-bore attack on the Second Amendment. “The framers didn’t intend…”
So Now What?
Now is not the time to hold our breaths or to wail about the past. We must stand unified in our beliefs. Take action by writing letters, contacting representatives and joining organizations that support the Second Amendment. We don’t know what the future holds for responsibly armed gun owners, but we must be vigilant in protecting the right to bear arms. Each and every one of us has a stake in it.
About Rick Sapp
Rick Sapp earned his Ph.D. in social anthropology after his time in the U.S. Army working for the 66th Military Intelligence Group, USAREUR, during the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Following his time in Paris, France, he worked for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service before turning to journalism and freelance writing. Along with being published in several newspapers and magazines, Rick has authored more than 50 books for a variety of publishers.