U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. and Congressman Alex Mooney issued a stern letter this week to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Office of Justice Programs (OJP). They demand accountability over accusations that the DOJ has manipulated the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to unlawfully fund ‘red flag’ gun laws.
The letter suggests the DOJ has corrupted the Act’s intention, allegedly incentivizing pro-gun states to implement gun seizure laws. This purported action appears to contravene the statute’s text, Congressional intent, states’ rights, and the Bill of Rights.
Passed by the 117th Congress, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act established the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program. The intent was to finance controversial Extreme Risk Protection Order programs, also known as ‘red flag’ laws, while maintaining strict due process.
Sen. Marshall and Rep. Mooney and 29 additional members of Congress assert that since the Act’s passage, no state has adjusted its laws to meet these due process requirements. Regardless, all states that applied for ‘red flag’ law funding have received it without upholding Congress’s imposed ‘due process’ stipulations.
The letter further contends that the Act was not designed to “require or incentivize states to adopt red flag laws.” Federal law prohibits the use of grants for lobbying to influence legislation adoption.
SEE ALSO: DOJ Announces $200 Million Spend on Red Flag Laws
The letter cites Idaho, Montana, and Wisconsin as states without ‘red flag’ laws that have disavowed using grants to promote or enact such laws. These states are, thus, in clear compliance with the requirements established by the 117th Congress.
However, states and territories without ‘red flag’ laws, including Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Minnesota, and West Virginia, have received funding for such programs’ creation and implementation. Congressional members argue that this indicates the federal government’s attempt to coax these states into adopting ‘red flag’ laws.
www.gunsamerica.com/digest/bidens-doj-bribing-states-to-adopt-gun-confiscation-laws/