Giffords Backs Call For Laws That Already Exist

Oh, Giffords. They’re the gift that keeps on giving. If they’re not trying to warn you over the inherent evils of muzzleloaders, it’s something else.

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Today, the organization is backing New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s call for new laws against domestic abusers getting their hands on firearms.

An anti-gun violence group founded by former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords backed Gov. Cuomo’s call Thursday to take away all firearms from anyone charged with a domestic violence offense.

“Firearms are far too frequently used to injure, threaten, or coerce victims of domestic violence,” said Nico Bocour, state legislative manager of Americans for Responsible Solutions.

Like Cuomo, Bocour noted that in nine of the 10 deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history — including recent tragedies in Las Vegas and Texas — the shooter had a record of attacking, threatening violence, or harassing women.

“The mere presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation makes it five times more likely the woman will die — that’s why it’s critical to have mechanisms in place to ensure that domestic abusers can no longer access them,” Bocour said.

For all the pontification about how dangerous these folks are, they’re missing the fact that the law already bars them from owning firearms.

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No one is talking about arming domestic abusers. No one at all.

Plus, as noted, it’s already illegal for them to own guns. The law doesn’t give a lot of wiggle room for domestic abusers.

Unless, of course, it’s not about domestic violence but about anything they think can be labeled as domestic violence. Without an actual bill, it’s impossible to know exactly where they’re trying to go with this, but for the most part, it’s stated purpose is already covered.

I’m not the only one who is skeptical, either.

New York State Rifle and Pistol Association President Tom King, an NRA board member, told the Daily News he first wants to see the legislation Cuomo introduces before commenting.

“What we found with this governor and a lot of other people, the devil is really in the details. What he says it is, isn’t always what it is,” King said. “I want to see what else this law attempts to do.”

King said that under current federal law, firearms are required to be surrendered upon domestic violence convictions, though he argued that states don’t always adequately report such convictions. He added that many state judges in New York are already suspending firearm licenses after domestic violence arrests.

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Cuomo claims he’s trying to shore up a loophole, but there isn’t one. A loophole is something that will allow you to do a thing that would otherwise be illegal.

Those convicted of domestic violence aren’t allowed to own firearms. There’s no way they’re legally allowed to do so, thus there’s no loophole.

Which makes me very concerned about what will actually be in Cuomo’s bill. If he thinks there’s a loophole, it’s entirely possible he’ll try to bar another group who he feels is somehow part of the problem. That means some New Yorkers may be barred from owning guns in that state despite being eligible elsewhere.

And that’s something we definitely need to keep an eye out for.

 

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