Democrats are forever looking to restrict lawful gun owners while doing nothing about actual gun crimes, or the criminals that use them to commit crimes.
In a recent move to tighten gun control, Democratic senators, spearheaded by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), have introduced the Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion Act (GOSAFE). This bill has raised concerns among gun rights advocates, who argue that its broad language could potentially prohibit a wide range of semi-automatic handguns. The contentious legislation, unveiled on Nov. 29, has been labeled by gun rights groups as “perhaps the most sweeping gun prohibition bill of the 21st Century.”
Gun Industry Calls Out GOSAFE Act for What it Is: MASSIVE Gun Ban! – Ammoland
The central aim of the GOSAFE Act is to restrict firearms capable of rapid firing, including accessories that enhance firing speed, and those capable of accepting magazines with a capacity of 10 rounds or more. Advocates argue that such limitations are necessary to curtail a firearm’s potential for causing significant harm in a short period.
Sen. Heinrich emphasized that the bill’s purpose is to keep “inherently dangerous and unusually lethal” firearms out of the hands of individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others. While gun control group Everytown praised the bill as “innovative,” the National Rifle Association (NRA) condemned it as a violation of constitutional rights.
Maine Senator Angus King (D) Proposes Dangerous New Legislation: GOSAFE ACT – Ammoland
GM
Everybody point and laugh at New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich for thinking his “i’M a FUdd” appeal matters.
Afterward, tell your Senators to reject the anti-rights GOSAFE Act at https://t.co/zDNpa324R5. pic.twitter.com/E4QPT4mkmB
— Firearms Policy Coalition (@gunpolicy) December 3, 2023
What the GOSAFE Act Proposes:
The GOSAFE Act proposes several regulations affecting the sale, transfer, and manufacture of various semi-automatic firearms. Key provisions include:
- Magazine Capacity Restriction: Semi-automatic rifles above .22 caliber must have a permanently fixed magazine capacity of 10 bullets or fewer. The bill also imposes a federal-level ban on magazines exceeding this capacity.
- Gas-Operated Rifle Restrictions: Gas-operated semi-automatic rifles above .22 caliber must have a permanently fixed magazine, prohibiting firearms capable of accepting larger capacity magazines.
- Modification Ban: The bill prohibits modifications such as bump stocks or Glock switches, along with a ban on build-it-yourself ghost gun kits.
- Government Approval for Designs: Future semi-automatic firearm designs require government approval before manufacture, and a list of prohibited firearms will be established.
#GOSAFE act is one of the worst gun control bills I’ve ever seen. Say goodbye to… -gas operated firearms -magazines over 10 rounds -detachable magazines in any gun -building guns & 3D printing -modifying your guns -and more I’m sure (Text)
Exemptions to the GOSAFE Act:
The bill includes exemptions to its sweeping scope, allowing certain firearms to remain unaffected. Exempted categories include bolt-action rifles, semi-automatic and recoil-operated shotguns, rifles or shotguns with permanently fixed magazines of 10 rounds or less, and handguns with permanently fixed magazines of 15 rounds or less.
Senators Martin Heinrich, Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Michael Bennett (D-Colo.), and Angus King (I-Maine) are co-sponsors of the bill, with no Republican support.
The GOSAFE Act. Same Pile of Crap, Different Name
Washington Gun Law President, William Kirk, discusses the GoSafe Act, a new bill to ban semiautomatic rifles which just happens to use different terminologies that other assault weapon bans, do not. Other than that, this is the same old ban wrapped in a different package. But, if enacted into law, this bill would do much more than just ban semi automatic rifles. This bill would also create a national magazine capacity limitation of 10 rounds and would also require all firearms manufacturers to get the Attorney General’s approval before any new design goes to market. So learn what this bill is truly about and arm yourself with education today.
Reactions and Concerns:
Gun control advocates, such as Everytown for Gun Safety, applaud the bill’s attempt to regulate what they term as “weapons of war.” However, the NRA’s legislative arm, the NRA-ILA, criticizes the GOSAFE Act, calling it the most sweeping gun prohibition bill of the 21st century.
The NRA-ILA highlights concerns about poorly drafted exemptions, particularly regarding semi-automatic handguns. They argue that the bill’s language could be interpreted to ban a wide range of handguns, raising questions about the clarity of the exemptions.
🚨 Legislative Action Alert 🚨
The GOSAFE Act is the most aggressive attack on our rights yet.
Demand your Senators say no to the latest disarmament absurdity at https://t.co/zDNpa324R5. pic.twitter.com/atsfgfYWnx
— Firearms Policy Coalition (@gunpolicy) December 1, 2023
Additionally, the NRA-ILA questions the bill’s ban on devices that “materially increase the rate of fire” of semi-automatic firearms, expressing uncertainty about its impact on various firearm upgrades designed for competitive or disabled shooters.
In summary, while proponents believe the GOSAFE Act is a necessary step to address public safety concerns, opponents, including the NRA-ILA, contend that it infringes upon Americans’ Second Amendment rights and could have unintended consequences for law-abiding gun owners. The debate over the bill is likely to intensify as lawmakers and advocacy groups weigh the balance between public safety and individual rights.
Major Points Discussed:
- Introduced by Democratic senators, led by Sen. Martin Heinrich, the Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion Act (GOSAFE) aims to restrict firearms with rapid-firing capabilities and high-capacity magazines.
- The bill proposes regulations such as permanently fixing magazine capacities for certain rifles, banning modifications like bump stocks, and requiring government approval for future semi-automatic firearm designs.
- While the GOSAFE Act has sweeping restrictions, it includes exemptions for certain firearms, such as bolt-action rifles, specific shotguns, and handguns with permanently fixed magazines of 15 rounds or less.
- The bill is co-sponsored by Democrats, including Sen. Mark Kelly and Sen. Michael Bennett, along with Independent Sen. Angus King. Notably, no Republicans have expressed support for the measure.
- Gun control groups, like Everytown for Gun Safety, praise the bill for addressing what they term as “weapons of war,” while the National Rifle Association (NRA) criticizes it as a potential violation of constitutional rights, citing concerns about poorly drafted exemptions and the impact on law-abiding gun owners.
Comments – Threads – Links
- The GOSAFE Act is one of the most aggressive rights violations yet. Many common-use firearms will be banned. Self-built firearms will be banned. Many self-modifications will be banned. Standard capacity magazines will be banned. – Firearms Policy Coalition
- Gun Groups Respond to King’s GOSAFE Act – Bearing Arms
- First Democrats said machine guns were dangerous and must be banned. Now it is semi auto guns that are dangerous and must be banned. Next it will be the bolt actions. They are after 100% civilian disarmament. The GOSAFE Act is a threat to our national security and freedom. – Isaac Holyk for U.S. Senate
- : NSSF flatly rejects the Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion (GOSAFE) Act, which would ban the sale of Modern Sporting Rifles and most other semi-automatic rifles. NSSF
The GOSAFE Act violates the Second Amendment. pic.twitter.com/HCegXjeAOi
— General Grievous 🇺🇸 (@DookusRoyal) December 2, 2023