Georgia Bill Would Take on Federal Gun Control Past, Present and Future

ATLANTA, Ga. (Feb. 27, 2021) – A bill introduced in the Georgia House would take on Federal gun control; past, present, and future. Passage into law would represent a major step toward ending federal acts that infringe on the right to keep and bear arms within the state.

Rep. Philip Singleton (R) and a coalition of Republicans introduced House Bill 597 (HB597) on Feb. 23. Entitled the Georgia Second Amendment Protection Act, the legislation would prohibit any person; public officer, employee of the state, or political subdivision of the state, from enforcing or attempting to enforce any federal acts, laws, executive orders, administrative orders, court orders, rules, regulations, statutes or ordinances infringing on the right to keep and bear arms.

This legislation is similar to a bill moving forward in Missouri.

DETAILS OF THE LEGISLATION

The bill includes a detailed definition of actions that qualify as “infringement,” including but not limited to:

Any tax, levy, fee, or stamp imposed on firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition not common to all other goods and services and that might reasonably be expected to create a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens
Any registering or tracking of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition that might reasonably be expected to create a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens
Any registering or tracking of the owners of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition that might reasonably be expected to create a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens
Any act forbidding the possession, ownership, or use or transfer of a firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition by law-abiding citizens
Any act ordering the confiscation of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition from law-abiding citizens

The proposed law defines a “law-abiding citizen” as “a person who is not otherwise precluded under state law from possessing a firearm.”

Under the proposed law, infringement on the right to keep and bear arms would include the National Firearms Act of 1934, the Gun Control Act of 1968. Pres. Trump’s bump-stock ban, proposed federal “red-flag laws,” and any future gun control schemes implemented by the federal government.

The legislation includes a provision that would allow anybody who violates the law and knowingly deprives somebody of their right to keep and bear arms as defined by the law to be sued for damages in civil court.

“Sovereign, official, or qualified immunity shall not be an affirmative defense in such actions.”

EFFECTIVE

The federal government relies heavily on state cooperation to implement and enforce almost all of its laws, regulations and acts – including gun control. By simply withdrawing this necessary cooperation, states and localities can nullify many federal actions in effect. As noted by the National Governors’ Association during the partial government shutdown of 2013, “states are partners with the federal government on most federal programs.”

Based on James Madison’s advice for states and individuals in Federalist #46, a “refusal to cooperate with officers of the Union” represents an extremely effective method to bring down federal gun control measures because most enforcement actions rely on help, support and leadership from state and local governments.

Fox News senior judicial analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano agreed. In a televised discussion on the issue, he noted that a single state taking this step would make federal gun laws “nearly impossible” to enforce.

“Partnerships don’t work too well when half the team quits,” said Michael Boldin of the Tenth Amendment Center. “By withdrawing all resources and participation in federal gun control, states and even local governments can help bring these unconstitutional acts to their much-needed end.”

LEGAL BASIS

The state of Georgia can legally bar state agents from enforcing federal gun control. Refusal to cooperate with federal enforcement rests on a well-established legal principle known as the anti-commandeering doctrine.

Simply put, the federal government cannot force states to help implement or enforce any federal act or program. The anti-commandeering doctrine is based primarily on five Supreme Court cases dating back to 1842. Printz v. U.S. serves as the cornerstone.

“We held in New York that Congress cannot compel the States to enact or enforce a federal regulatory program. Today we hold that Congress cannot circumvent that prohibition by conscripting the States’ officers directly. The Federal Government may neither issue directives requiring the States to address particular problems, nor command the States’ officers, or those of their political subdivisions, to administer or enforce a federal regulatory program. It matters not whether policy making is involved, and no case by case weighing of the burdens or benefits is necessary; such commands are fundamentally incompatible with our constitutional system of dual sovereignty”

No determination of constitutionality is necessary to invoke the anti-commandeering doctrine. State and local governments can refuse to enforce federal laws or implement federal programs whether they are constitutional or not.

WHAT’S NEXT

HB597 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. It will need to have a hearing and pass out with a majority vote in order to continue on in the legislative process.

OTHER STATES

Similar legislation is also under consideration in a number of other states as listed below. Supporters are urged to contact their state senator and representative (find contact info here) to urge them to cosponsor and support. For all other states, suggested model legislation is available here (pdf)