Congressman Lamborn Joins In Introducing Legislation to Defend Gun Owners From Anti-Second Amendment Policies

Statement

Congressman Doug Lamborn joined Congressman Ronny Jackson and 24 of their House colleagues in introducing the No User Fees for Gun Owners Act. This legislation would amend Title 18 of the United States Code and the National Firearms Act to ban any state or unit of local government from imposing any insurance requirement or any tax, user fee, or other similar charges as a condition of continued ownership of a firearm, pistol, or revolver.

"The right to bear arms is a fundamental right, protected by the Second Amendment," said Congressman Doug Lamborn. "America was founded on the principles of freedom, and over the past 244 years, that hasn't changed. No form of government, whether federal, state, or local, has the authority to tax or financially burden the exercise of an enumerated right. I was glad to join Congressman Jackson and my House colleagues and fight back against the Far-Left's attempt at eroding away our God-given right to keep and bear arms."

Congressman Ronny Jackson told AWR Hawkins of Breitbart: "As an adamant defender of the Second Amendment, I will ALWAYS fight against any attempt to erode our Second Amendment right to bear arms. The law passed in San Jose is just another example of the Far-Left's gun control agenda that has nothing to do with gun safety and everything to do with control. It's a slippery slope- if we do not stop the radical Left from enforcing these kinds of policies at a local level, they will soon become implemented at a federal level. This legislation is an important step to ensure this does not happen. It is essential that we fight to maintain our fundamental American freedoms, which includes every American's right to own a firearm. I urge my colleagues to join in support of the No User Fees for Gun Owners Act. We must ensure these Liberal attacks on gun rights do not become law."

Hunter King, Director of Federal Affairs, National Association for Gun Rights said: "To tax a constitutional right is absolutely preposterous and places an undue burden on law-abiding gun owners. A right that you have to pay a tax to exercise is not a right at all. You would not dream of imposing a tax to attend a church or to disseminate or read a newspaper, which are protected by the First Amendment. The National Association for Gun Rights wholeheartedly supports the No user Fees for Gun Owners Act."

Congressmen Lamborn and Jackson are members of the Second Amendment Caucus. Additional background from Breitbart can be found here, and bill text can be found here.

Background:

The San Jose City Council, in San Jose, California, recently passed a law mandating gun owners have liability insurance and pay an annual fee for simply owning a gun. Specifically, within six months after enactment, gun owners in San Jose, California, will have to pay an annual $25 fee per household and purchase gun insurance that covers losses and damages resulting from "any negligent or accidental use of the firearm." This legislation blocks these kinds of policies from being implemented in blue cities nationwide.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) and the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) have endorsed this bill.

Original cosponsors include: Lauren Boebert (CO-03), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Randy Weber (TX-14), Roger Williams (TX-25), Adrian Smith (NE-03), Mary E. Miller (IL-15), Tracey Mann (KS-01), Greg Steube (FL-17), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Tom Cole (OK-04), Mike Bost (IL-12), Rick Crawford (AR-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), Joe Wilson (SC-02), John Rose (TN-06), Jefferson Van Drew (NJ-02), Alex Mooney (WV-02), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Yvette Herrell (NM-02), Bob Good (VA-05), John Moolenaar (MI-04), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), and Ken Buck (CO-04).

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