The Protecting Our Kids Act (H.R. 7910) is a comprehensive legislative proposal aimed at addressing gun violence and enhancing child safety through various gun control measures. Key components of the bill include:
- Raising the Minimum Age:
- Semi-Automatic Rifles: Increases the minimum age for purchasing semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21.
- Banning Large-Capacity Magazines:
- Magazine Limits: Prohibits the sale, manufacture, and transfer of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
- Enhanced Background Checks:
- Federal Background Check System: Expands background checks for all firearm sales, including private and online transactions.
- Safe Storage Requirements:
- Firearm Storage: Requires gun owners to safely store firearms in households with minors to prevent accidental shootings and unauthorized use.
- Ghost Guns:
- Regulation of Untraceable Firearms: Implements regulations on ghost guns, including serialization and background checks for gun kits and parts.
- Red Flag Laws:
- Extreme Risk Protection Orders: Encourages the implementation of red flag laws that allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others.
Impact of Voting Against the Bill
Voting against the Protecting Our Kids Act, as Clay Higgins did, can be seen as highly detrimental for several reasons:
- Child Safety:
- Increased Risk: Opposing the bill means rejecting measures that could prevent children from accessing firearms, thereby increasing the risk of accidental shootings and gun-related incidents among minors.
- Gun Violence Prevention:
- Missed Opportunity for Regulation: By voting against the bill, Higgins opposes regulations that aim to reduce gun violence through stricter controls on firearm sales and ownership.
- Large-Capacity Magazines: The rejection of the ban on large-capacity magazines allows for the continued availability of devices that enable mass shooters to inflict maximum harm quickly.
- Public Health and Safety:
- Background Checks: Enhanced background checks are critical for ensuring that firearms do not end up in the hands of individuals who pose a danger to society. Voting against this provision weakens the effectiveness of the existing background check system.
- Ghost Guns: Without regulation, ghost guns remain untraceable and easily accessible, posing a significant threat to public safety.
- Mental Health and Risk Assessment:
- Red Flag Laws: Red flag laws are designed to intervene before potential tragedies occur by removing firearms from those who are a danger to themselves or others. Opposing this measure can lead to missed opportunities for preventing gun violence and suicides.
Horribly, Clay Higgins’ vote against the Protecting Our Kids Act represents a rejection of comprehensive gun control measures that may greatly improve child safety and reduce gun violence. This judgment undermines efforts to protect vulnerable groups, prevent mass shootings, and promote public safety, exposing communities to the devastation caused by gun violence.