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’ rightsThey 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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