All,
“Bipartisan Safer Communities Act” votes from Iowa Elected Officials:
FOR:
- Senator Ernst (R-IA)
- Representative Cindy Axne (D-IA)
AGAINST:
- Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
- Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA)
- Representative Mariannetter Miller-Meeks (R-IA)
- Representative Randy Feenstra (R-IA)
We’ve been in close contact with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) on the last few bills (like the bad sections of VAWA that were rolled into a recent spending bill) that gave money and power to agencies like the FBI and ATF. Ernst’s staff has been responsive and communicative. Representatives of IFC asked if the Senator would like to directly address the concerns of IFC members and this is the full content of the email we received.
Dear Members of the Iowa Firearms Coalition:
As Congress and our nation engages in discussions about our kids’ safety at school and our Second Amendment rights, I’d like to share with you my thoughts on legislation that has been considered and passed in the U.S. Senate.
First of all, I, like you and every American, am deeply saddened by the news of tragic events that have occurred across our country at the hands of horrific murderers and criminals, and my thoughts and prayers continue to be with the friends and families of the victims of these tragedies. The recent murders in Uvalde, Texas, Buffalo, New York, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, are heartbreaking and unconscionable. It remains important that we, as a country, review all of the surrounding evidence and specific factors that lead to these tragedies.
As a lifelong supporter of the Second Amendment, a proud gun owner, and a combat veteran, I’m adamantly opposed to any infringement on our constitutional rights. I carefully review any proposals put forward in the Senate and I believe that much of our efforts to prevent future tragedies need to focus on enforcing current gun laws, community engagement, and advancing mental health treatment – not on restrictions to law-abiding citizens’ Second Amendment rights.
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, led by Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), does not take away the rights of any law-abiding American. This bill addresses the specific problems that have led to horrific tragedies, including a need for additional mental health and school safety resources. This legislation provides needed investment for mental health care and necessary resources for school safety. It has no new restrictions, bans, waiting periods, or mandates for law-abiding gun owners. Furthermore, it includes strict and comprehensive due process requirements for any use of federal funds for extreme risk protection order programs. Therefore, states receiving federal funds will be required to provide pre-deprivation hearings before impacting any individuals.
I believe this is the best way to keep our kids safe and provide needed mental health resources, while also safeguarding Second Amendment rights for law abiding citizens. In fact, this legislation has the full endorsement of law enforcement groups across our nation, including the Fraternal Order of Police/International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and the National Association of Police Organizations.
Every American wants to keep our kids and our schools safe and provide folks access to mental health treatment, and this proposal helps do that without placing new restrictions on law-abiding gun owners. Let me be clear: I have been disgusted by the radical Left’s longstanding attempts to exploit horrific tragedies to pursue their partisan agenda, pushing a false narrative that the only way to stop murderers is to infringe on law-abiding citizens’ rights. They are wrong, and this bill shows that.
Please know that I will continue to keep your views in mind as this issue is considered by the Senate in the future. As always, please never hesitate to contact my office with your thoughts. As your senator, I will always strive every way possible to best represent you and our fellow Iowans, and that includes continuing to adamantly support and protect our Second Amendment rights.
God bless you and our Great United States of America.
Sincerely,
Joni K. Ernst
United States Senator
What do you think?
Screenshots for the authenticity of correspondence:
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I see Senator Ernst’s reply as a typical politician’s canned response. I do not believe that any law will not be twisted and abused by those in power. We this this played out everyday, throughout our country. I too, will be voting against her in future elections.
Here is a PRIME example of something that WENT WRONG but no one in Gov’t “THOUGHT” it could go wrong: “California Takes Down Firearms Dashboard After Gun-Owner Data Are Leaked”. I will not link the article here in case it is not permitted.
I ALWAYS look to “what could happen”. Guess no one in Gov’t believes in this axiom.
Do you mean this data breech???
Data breach involving California gun owners includes Fresno County CCW permit holders
Yes!
Senator Ernst is either: Seeing the Red Wave coming in November has decided to kiss up to current Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell with this vote of hers…probably to garner some plum committee assignments and positions when Republicans have control of the Senate. If this is why she voted this way, it is a treacherous stab in the back to her loyal Iowa citizens and voter supporters.
Or, Senator Ernst is so naive to believe the the very non-specific language about how “red flag” laws will be applied ( Furthermore, it includes strict and comprehensive due process requirements for any use of federal funds for extreme risk protection order programs.) fairly and equally by local judges, courts and law enforcement. With the recent weaponizing of Federal agencies….DOJ, IRS, BATF, DHS, NSA, etc….we CAN NOT take any chances with so called “red flag” laws being either fair or effective…..rather I believe they are unconstitutional and violate the due process provisions in our constitution that protect us all from unwarranted and unfounded prosecution. Red Flag laws are an extremely dangerous and slippery slope that only lead to massive abuse and tragedy for every day law abiding citizens of this great nation. Our founders knew that power corrupts….and put safe guards in place against the abuse of power. Unfortunately, our Senator Ernst either can’t or won’t recognize the current trend of the abuse of power toward ordinary American citizens. We must vote her out of office at her next election cycle.
As with all legislation, the devil is in the details. I do not trust that government officials will not abuse this new power. If we constantly freak out about the what ifs, we wouldn’t leave our homes. The only things that should have been in this bill: hardening targets and getting rid of gun free killing zones, money to mental health and opening institutions back up to house mentally Ill people. Enforce the laws already on the books! I know this is a problem for this whacked out crazy administration that only chooses which laws to enforce depending on the groups it affects.
The fact that you voted for a “red flag law” is all the information I need. See you at the voting booth.
Question: Does the “…pre-deprivation hearings (before impacting any individuals…”) allow for the one being DEPRIVED OF THEIR RIGHTS representation at said hearing? Is this a “legal trial” with the accused being represented by a lawyer…Does it allow for calling witnesses for the defense? Is the accused presumed INNOCENT, and does the existence of a FUTURE CRIME have to be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt?
She is a Politician. Her vote and response is an example of what Politicians do!
I am a Voter. On Election Day, I will step up and set an example of what Honest Voters do.
Each of us has to make our own decision. I have made mine.
For Liberty and Our Republic.
Question: Does the “…pre-deprivation hearings (before impacting any individuals…”) allow for the one being DEPRIVED OF THEIR RIGHTS representation at said hearing? Is this a “legal trial” with the accused being represented by a lawyer…Does it allow for calling witnesses for the defense? Is the accused presumed INNOCENT, and does the existence of a FUTURE CRIME have to be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt?