Sen. Kamala Harris has made it abundantly clear that, if she ever becomes president, she will use her new-found executive powers to restrict the sale of firearms throughout the United States.
There are two big problems with her proposal: first of all, Sen. Harris’ proposed executive order would violate a number of state and federal laws. Second, the President of the United States does not have the authority to unilaterally override federal laws to take away a right that is guaranteed in the United States Constitution.
Sen. Harris’ plan is to force gun dealers throughout the United States to run a background check on buyers before making a sale. Furthermore, the senator plans to expand the definition of “gun dealers” to include people who sell five or more guns every year. Her new definition runs contrary to the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which stipulates that gun dealers are those who devote time, attention and labor to dealing in firearms as a regular course of business, with the main objective of earning a living through repeatedly buying and selling firearms.
The PLCAA specifically states that only federally licensed gun dealers need to conduct background checks. Those who make occasional firearm sales, sell guns as a hobby, and/or sell part or all of a personal firearm collection do not need to conduct checks. Given the fact that the PLCAA does not criminalize gun sellers for offering a product that is legal to purchase and own in the United States, it is no surprise that Sen. Harris and her acolytes want to abolish it altogether.
In fact, Kamala Harris makes it clear that she intends to fully disregard the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act if Congress does not abolish it within 100 days of her taking office; that is, if she wins the presidency. Additionally, Sen. Harris is threatening to take gun sellers to court even if they are protected by the PLCAA – a foolish statement from a former prosecutor who should know better.
Ironically, liberals who are furious that President Donald Trump declared a national emergency at the border and diverted funds for the construction of a border call are overjoyed at Sen. Kamala Harris’ announcement. The fact that many who complain about presidential overreach by a Republican president are willing to embrace overreach by a hypothetical Democratic president is nothing short of hypocritical. Harris would set a dangerous precedent by revoking a law in order to reach her goals, and other presidents are sure to follow suit.
~ Patriotic Freedom Fighter
