Weekly Spotlight 3/4/23 – 3/10/23
A Tale of Two States: Tackling “Boardroom Gun Control“
America’s federalist system of government grants states tremendous rights when it comes to implementing laws that fit unique geographies, population sizes and economies. Policies that are right for a small, midwestern state might not be well-suited to a large, coastal state. It’s a hallmark of our republic that has helped America prosper over the centuries. However, when core constitutional issues like the Second Amendment are at play, it also demonstrates stark contrasts between states remaining faithful to the words “shall not be infringed” and states bypassing them.
A recent example of this can be found in California and Florida, two states on seemingly polar opposite trajectories when it comes to Second Amendment issues. Specifically, it involves “boardroom gun control,” a phenomenon in which private corporations either willfully or are compelled to act as enforcers of gun control policies, ultimately hindering Americans’ ability to exercise their rights. For instance, some financial institutions have refused to do business with gun shops or gun owners associations.
A California state legislator recently introduced a bill to cement this misguided practice into law. The legislation would “prohibit financial institutions that do business with gun manufacturers from doing business with the state of California,” potentially impacting billions in state finances and pulling the rug out from under lawful businesses. Policies like these will restrict access to legal firearms well beyond democratically-established norms.
In contrast, Florida is tackling boardroom gun control the right way. The Florida Senate Banking and Insurance Committee recently approved a bill that would impose fines on any and all credit card companies that track gun and ammunition purchases. This is a hefty blow to efforts by big corporations that seek to impose their pro-gun control will on law-abiding gun owners. States should not be working hand in glove with big banks to restrict Americans’ God-given rights, and Florida is taking steps to ensure that doesn’t happen.
This issue has also reached the halls of Congress, where Rep. Jack Bergman introduced the Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination (FIND) Act to take aim at “boardroom gun control” at the federal level. H.R. 53 would “prevent any businesses that discriminate against firearm businesses or associations from contracting or subcontracting with the federal government – ensuring that federal funding is not used to further these harmful policies.” The USCCA-FSL stands behind this legislation, as well as states like Florida, that are defending the Second Amendment.
Voice your opposition to boardroom gun control NOW!
OTHER NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
- FOX5 San Diego: Concealed carry permits on rise in San Diego County after Supreme Court decision last year
The number of people looking to obtain a concealed carry permit has significantly increased in San Diego County following the Supreme Court decision last year that expanded access to these licenses — a rise which comes as California has begun exploring new measures to again narrow eligibility. Data obtained by FOX5SanDiego.com shows that the number of applications for concealed carry weapons has more than doubled in the county since last year’s decision in the Supreme Court case, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, which eliminated the requirement for prospective applicants to have “good cause” for carrying a firearm. Since the June ruling, the Sheriff’s department has received nearly 5,487 new applications for a concealed carry permit as of Feb. 16, with 998 applications coming in this year alone.
- Washington Examiner: North Carolina Could Be On Brink Of Eliminating Pistol Purchase Permits
The North Carolina General Assembly appears poised to repeal the state’s 110-year-old pistol purchase permit, but how exactly it’s accomplished remains unclear. House Republicans approved House Bill 50 in a party-line vote on Wednesday to repeal the state’s pistol purchase permit. The measure now heads to the Senate, which approved the same in a broader bill package last week. Senate Bill 41 was also approved in a party-line vote to repeal the permit that requires approval from the respective 100 county sheriffs. SB 41 includes measures to allow concealed carry of firearms at religious services that share locations with private or charter schools, and to launch a two-year firearm safe storage awareness initiative, as well.
- The County Press: County board opposes gun control legislation
In the aftermath of the fatal Feb. 13 incident at Michigan State University, the Lapeer County Board of Commissioners has passed a resolution instructing state lawmakers “to vote in opposition of all proposed gun legislation, such as Red Flag Gun Laws, that would deny a person of their right to not be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of the law, or their right to equal benefit, security and protection.” On Feb. 13, 43-year-old Anthony McRae of Lansing opened fire in MSU’s Berkey Hall and MSU Union, critically wounding five and killing Arielle Anderson, 19, Brian Fraser, 20, and Alexandria Verner, 20… Within days of the shootings, Michigan Senate Democrats introduced 11 bills to tighten gun regulations… On Thursday, the Lapeer County Board of Commissioners made their feelings known about that by unanimously passing the resolution in opposition to that legislation.
Gun rights advocates are backing a bill that would prevent state government agencies and pension funds from doing business with investment firms that boycott the gun industry. “If we can’t have normal commerce in America, then what good are your rights?” Iowa Firearms Coalition president Dave Funk said at a statehouse rally Wednesday. “…Financial institutions, credit processors, insurers and now freight companies have been increasingly boycotting the firearm industry and Second Amendment as part of the ‘woke’ ESG movement.” Funk said taxpayer money should never go to companies that are trying to restrict Second Amendment rights.