Candidates in the upcoming Republican primary runoff election have shared their thoughts on President Joe Biden’s plans to implement anti-gun measures.
“Red flag laws,” for instance, allow law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily seize firearms from someone who could potentially pose a danger to themselves or others. Advocates of red flag laws claim that such laws lead to a reduction in gun violence.
Recently, the Biden administration created the National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource, which provides “training and technical assistance to law enforcement officials, prosecutors, attorneys, judges, clinicians, victim service and social service providers, community organizations, and behavioral health professionals responsible for implementing laws designed to keep guns out of the hands of people who pose a threat to themselves or others.”
Commenting on the need for the program, Asst. Att. Gen. Amy L. Solomon said in a press release, “This crisis cannot be solved at one level of government. We must use all of our resources and collaborate at the federal, state, and local levels to find innovative, evidence-based, and holistic solutions to help keep American communities safe.”
Although purportedly created to curb “gun violence,” several Republican runoff candidates criticized the initiative.
“After I am elected, I will help push a constitutional amendment [to the Texas Constitution] banning red flag Laws — something the [state] legislature should have already done,” House District 91 Republican candidate David Lowe told The Dallas Express.
House District 91 incumbent Stephanie Klick (R-Fort Worth) did not respond to DX‘s inquiry.
House District 97 candidates Cheryl Bean and John McQueeney did not respond to DX‘s inquiry but previously spoke on the issue with another media outlet.
“We are blessed to live in the strongest Second Amendment state in the country. But that doesn’t stop the federal government from encroaching on our rights with such things as new red flag laws or gun registration laws,” Bean said, according to the Texas Scorecard.
“We must do everything we can to ensure state sovereignty on second amendment rights and hold the line. As such, I intend to support all current legislation pertaining to Texan’s Second Amendment rights to own, possess, buy/sell, and carry ALL firearms. Additionally, I commit to oppose any legislation that infringes on these rights,” she added.
McQueeney told Texas Scorecard that he would support the Second Amendment.
“I am a strong defender of the 2nd Amendment and will fight to defend Constitutional carry and all of the recent 2nd Amendment victories in the Texas Legislature. I will also look for ways to strengthen our 2nd Amendment laws, including the prohibition of gun-free zones so that all law-abiding citizens have the ability to defend themselves and their families at all times,” he wrote.
District 12 congressional candidate John O’Shea criticized Biden’s plan, stating that Congress can halt such initiatives.
“Congress has the power to defund whatever entity is enforcing those red flag centers,” O’Shea told DX. “Congress has the power of the purse.”
Rep. Craig Goldman (R-Fort Worth), who is also a candidate for District 12, did not respond to DX‘s inquiry.
Both Senate District 30 Republican Primary runoff candidates also criticized Biden’s move.
“Vigilance will be the mission. We have passed concealed carry, campus carry, open carry, and constitutional carry. We must continue to fight against federal encroachment, big blue cities’ and counties’ efforts to restrict rights, and against trial lawyers who want to sue gun manufacturers and retailers,” said Brent Hagenbuch, per Texas Scorecard.
“As a veteran and proud gun owner, I’m a firm believer in the 2nd Amendment. The government has no business infringing the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms to defend their life, liberty, and property. I will steadfastly resist any attempt to limit this vital constitutional protection—including so-called red flag flaws and unconstitutional federal overreach from agencies like ATF,” Jace Yarbrough told Texas Scorecard.