Staff Reports
Democratic Senator Martin Heinrich has been making headlines by taking a stance against reinstating an assault weapons ban. Despite being a hunter and NRA-endorsed, Heinrich voted against the legislation proposed by Senator Dianne Feinstein after the Sandy Hook school shooting. But this isn’t because he’s a heartless gun lover. The guy has been doing some serious deep thinking and Generation Y’all can take credit for that.
Heinrich, who hails from New Mexico, has been doing some major soul-searching as he watches his youngsters grow up learning to hunt and hide from mass shooters. It’s like two sides of a coin; one minute they’re bagging a deer, the next they’re doing active shooter drills. Talk about conflicting childhood memories!
“You can accept the fact that guns are a legitimate tool w/o accepting that you should be able to own firearms that are really designed to inflict mass lethality.” @SenatorHeinrich
An avid hunter formerly endorsed by the NRA, Heinrich seeks a new way.https://t.co/98ggJSJacB
— Methane Mad Man! (@vivarioarriba) December 7, 2023
So, Heinrich teamed up with Senator Angus King to draft their own gun violence prevention legislation, called the Go Safe Act. Their bill zoned in on assault-style weapons, aiming to regulate these guns by permanently fixing magazines and limiting the rounds. He’s not trying to strip away everyone’s guns—just the ones that can unload a truckload of ammunition in just a few seconds. Seems like a no-brainer, right?
Now, the NRA, predictably, is not impressed. They’re all hot and bothered about this bill, calling it the “most sweeping gun prohibition bill of the 21st century” and throwing around phrases like “blatantly violates” the Constitution. Classic NRA move, am I right?
But it’s not just Heinrich and King in this battle against assault weapons. They’ve got some Democrat buddies joining in, like Michael Bennet and Mark Kelly. They’re on a mission to chip away at the power of these deadly firearms, while still paying respect to the Second Amendment.
But, hold your horses! The road to passing this bill isn’t going to be a walk in the park. They’ve got zero Republican support, and we all know how that can turn out. Nevertheless, the gears are turning, and discussions are buzzing in the Senate as these lawmakers try to find a way to protect lives without stepping on any toes.
It’s no secret that the late Senator Feinstein was a strong advocate for an assault weapons ban, and it’s clear that Heinrich didn’t quite see eye to eye with her on that. But hey, at least he’s not compared to his time with her at the birds-eye view on immigration.
Heinrich has been on a mission to build a regulatory structure that doesn’t zero in on specific firearm models but focuses on the mechanical properties that make these guns dangerous. After all, he’s got an “engineering background” to flex. The guy is trying to cover all his bases by ensuring any legislation can withstand scrutiny in the current Supreme Court. He’s not just aiming for a temporary fix—this is a long-term play to make sure our kids grow up in a safer environment.
So, Heinrich’s a dad first, a senator second. His kids have experienced both the thrill of hunting and the terror of mass shooter drills. The struggle is real. But if his kiddos are wise enough to understand the need for change, then hey, maybe we adults can follow their lead. Let’s see if Heinrich and his crew can pave the way to a safer future for everyone.
Source: Washington Times
