A federal “red flag” law, or a so-called Extreme Risk Protection Order, will not help President Donald Trump win the 2020 election, and will likely hurt down-ticket candidates.
President Trump’s “Red Flag” Announcement
Trump and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) announced support on Monday for a federal “red flag” law. Trump labeled the gun confiscation measure as “rapid due process.” Sorry, Mr. President, but court ordering the confiscation of firearms from an individual without an opportunity to argue their case is a violation of individual rights. Rights guaranteed by multiple Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America.
Watch Trump’s full address from Fox News below:
We must make sure that those judged to pose a grave risk to public safety, do not have access to firearms, and that if they do those firearms can be taken through rapid due process. That is why I have called for “red flag” laws, also known as Extreme Risk Protection Orders.
President Donald Trump, Monday August 6, 2019, announcing support for “red flag” laws
A “red flag” law by definition cannot include due process. Specifically, Trump’s decision to define it as “rapid due process” should be alarming to everyone in the country.
If the government can suddenly pick and choose when to apply due process, and when to use authoritarian enforcement measures for our supposed safety, the government is no longer serving the people. We would consider this is an act of tyranny and protection against tyranny is why we have the Second Amendment.
The entire concept of due process affords you the right to face your accuser, and defend yourself in a proper legal proceeding. This specifically applies to life, liberty, and property. Confiscating firearms and forcing people to remediate the situation in court after the fact does not follow due process.
Not a Path to Re-election
President Trump is not helping his campaign by supporting a “red flag” law.
Will the move bring in some independent voters? We doubt it will bring in a voting block that does not already support the President.
Will Trump’s support of “red flag” laws ensure an undervote from liberty-minded voters? You can bet on it.
To compromise and endorse the violation of the Constitution is an act that undermines the Republican Party platform, and Trump needs every Republican voter he can get to win in 2020.
In fact, we saw the results of Republicans supporting “red flag” laws in Colorado. Multi-term Congressman Mike Coffman and former Representative Cole Wist fell from grace largely due to their sponsorship of “red flag” legislation.
While our writers believe many of Trump’s policies are improving the country, we understand that all “red flag” laws are reprehensible, and a violation of the liberties and values we stand to defend.
If Trump and Graham do not make a 180 on their support for “red flag” legislation, they may face the silent backlash of an undervote.
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