Arizona Governor Signs Bill to Defy Any New Federal Gun Control Laws

[IceWizard]

Pistols and other weapons are displayed at a shooting range during the
“Rod of Iron Freedom Festival,” a guns and gun culture in America, in
Greeley, Pennsylvania on Oct. 12, 2019.
(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)






Arizona Governor Signs Bill to Defy Any
New Federal Gun Control Laws



BY JACK PHILLIPS
April 7, 2021
Updated: April 7, 2021



Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill that would prohibit police and sheriffs in the state
from enforcing new federal gun laws that violate the Constitution’s Second Amendment.

Proponents of the bill have argued that it would ensure that the rights of gun owners
are protected from what they have described as potential overreach by the federal government.

Critics of the bill have said that the law would undermine cooperation between Arizona law
enforcement and federal officials.

“The state of Arizona and its political subdivisions are prohibited from utilizing any financial
resources or state personnel to administer, cooperate with or enforce any law, act, order,
rule, treaty or regulation of the federal government that is inconsistent with any law of
this state regarding the regulation of firearms,” according to the text of the legislation.

President Joe Biden has said he is seeking a ban on certain firearms and gun magazines
in the wake of two mass shootings last month. Top Democrats such as Senate Majority
Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said two House bills that expanded background checks
would be taken up by the Senate, although it’s not clear when that will occur.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday told reporters that Biden
“will have more to say” about gun control measures on Thursday. Reports on Wednesday
said that Biden will unveil an executive order on gun control Thursday.

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said the Arizona law has a “political motivation.”

“It’s one of those emotional issues but as far as the impact on law enforcement, it will
create confusion or challenges more than benefits or protecting the Second Amendment,”
Penzone said to KTAR radio last week.

Gun control proponents such as Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety
sought to pressure Ducey into vetoing the measure. Moms Demand Action said it gathered
more than 2,000 signatures in the state and presented them to Ducey’s office.

“Nobody is trying to take away your guns, not for the protection of your family, your property,
nor your Second Amendment right to own them,” Democrat Arizona state Sen. Lisa Otondo stated.

Despite Otondo’s and other Democrats’ claims, gun sales across the United States have
skyrocketed in recent months amid fears of instability over last summer’s Black Lives Matter
protests and riots, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

About a week ago, the Arkansas Senate voted to block federal law enforcement officials
enforcing certain gun laws and regulations.

“It is more important now than ever that we protect our state rights,” Arkansas state
Sen. Trent Garner, a Republican, said of the passage of the bill. “Once [Democrats in the U.S. Senate]
get rid of the filibuster, guess what happens next? It is called packing the courts,” he claimed,
referring to statements from Democratic lawmakers that the 60-vote legislative be removed
in order to pass their agenda items.