Atlanta, GA – On Tuesday night, the Senate voted to advance a gun control bill that, among other things, provides grants for states to implement ‘red flag laws’ and makes 18-20 year olds wait longer to exercise their constitutional rights. Fourteen Senate Republicans joined Democrats in voting to advance the legislation.  Senate Majority Leader Schumer says he expects to pass the bill before the Independence Day recess. In response, Tea Party Patriots Action (TPPA) Honorary Chairman Jenny Beth Martin released the following statement:

“When House Minority Whip Steve Scalise was asked if he supports ‘red flag flaws,’ he said they ‘happen to be unconstitutional.’  If that’s good enough for Scalise – who was shot by a deranged gunman five years ago – that should be good enough for the rest of us.  ‘Red flag laws’ are unconstitutional and impractical. Connecticut was the first state to implement a ‘Red flag law’ in 1999 but it didn’t stop the Newtown shooting in 2012.  Furthermore, 18-20 year olds should be able to fully exercise their constitutional rights, and it’s appalling that fourteen Senate Republicans voted to gut those rights.  What part of ‘shall not be infringed’ do they not understand?  If Senate Republicans can’t hold the line now, how can we expect them to hold the line if they win the majority in November?”   

While Ms. Martin’s two children were in high school, two would-be shooters were planning an attack on the high school and were caught before the attack.  They were convicted and sentenced to prison for decades.  

Last week, CNS News published Ms. Martin’s op-ed, Steve Scalise Is Right: ‘Red Flag’ Laws Are the Wrong Way to Go. To read it, click here.