Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Confiscation or "Mandatory Buyback"?

Monday, October 21, 2019

Confiscation or "Mandatory Buyback"?

It is interesting to watch certain Democrats struggle when trying to convince law-abiding gun owners how “reasonable” it is for the government to take away your firearms.  Do the anti-gun groups and candidates pushing confiscation honestly believe you’ll be fooled?

The Democrat plan to confiscate your firearms isn’t in question. In fact, the plan was laid bare by Robert Francis O'Rourkewhen, during the third Democrat Presidential Debates, he proclaimed, "Hell yes, we're gonna take your AR-15, your AK47." Prior to this broadcast, most Democrats were more subtle, promoting what they euphemistically called a "mandatory buy-back" program for most semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and handguns (so-called "assault weapons"). In the hope of capturing voters, they opted to soothe instead of share, and continually shied away from admitting the true goal: confiscation.

But as the saying goes, if it looks like a duck…

Leading up to the fourth Democrat debate, the effort to disguise confiscation as something else continued.  Pete Buttigieg, the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, complained in an interview with Snapchat's Good Luck America about the Democrats’ "fight over confiscation," which was distracting from other, more palatable infringements on your Second Amendment rights.  Buttigieg's comment seemed to be a continuation of his spat with O'Rourke earlier this month in Las Vegas.

After the Good Luck America interview was released, another Democrat presidential "hopeful," New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, decided he needed to chastise Buttigieg for simply telling the truth.  Booker tweeted, "Calling buyback programs 'confiscation' is doing the NRA's work for them, @PeteButtigieg — and they don't need our help."  Interestingly, Booker didn't challenge the idea that "mandatory buyback" schemes, which he proudly supports, and confiscation are really the same thing.  His complaint was over the accepted terminology for confiscation, not the confiscation itself.

Of course, part of NRA's "work" is exposing the lies of the anti-gun movement, and bringing the truth to light.  We welcome any "help" in that arena, even if it comes from hyperbolic Democrats who fundamentally misunderstand firearms.  Buttigieg may be wrong about promoting other anti-gun policies, but at least he is honest about another Democrat’s desire for confiscation.

To be clear, though, he hasn't said that he is entirely opposed to confiscation.  He's merely said he is opposed to talking about it right now.

And that kind of makes sense, politically.  The four Democrat candidates that are leading in the polls--Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, former Vice President Joe Biden, and Buttigieg--have all referred to supporting a "voluntary buyback" scheme, rather than confiscation.  Booker, O'Rourke, and California Senator Kamala Harris have all called for confiscation, and are all struggling in the low- to mid-single digits.

This week, during the fourth debate, banning AR-15s and other "assault weapons" was again brought up.  And the sparks flew between Bittigieg and O'Rourke.

Moderator Anderson Cooper asked O'Rourke how his "mandatory buyback" would work if, as O'Rourke has claimed, police would not be going door-to-door to confiscate firearms.  After insulting every single lawful owner of an AR-15 by claiming their firearm is a "potential instrument of terror," "Beto" then stated he expects everyone to simply follow the law.

And that may very well be the case, for those who wish to remain law-abiding.  But those who have malice in mind will not.  Those who have acquired the tools of their criminal trade illegally will not.  And while NRA strongly encourages gun owners to obey gun laws and work to change those with which they disagree, there are many otherwise law-abiding citizens who, when faced with a law they feel is unjust or unconstitutional, will simply not comply.

Cooper pressed O'Rourke to explain how he intends to treat those who currently own AR-15s and similar firearms, and do not turn them in, if his ban were to become law.  The candidate said, "If someone does not turn in an AR-15…then that weapon will be taken from them."

…if it swims like a duck…

O'Rourke went beyond mere confiscation, though, and offered a chilling, Swalwell-like statement about "other consequences from law enforcement."

Mayor Buttigieg was given an opportunity to speak on the subject, where he made clear that the confiscation plan is not off the table for him.  He suggested that if O'Rourke could come up with a more developed scheme, "I think we can have a debate about it."  Harkening back to the anti-gun rally in Las Vegas earlier this month, when O'Rourke all but called Buttigieg a coward for not currently supporting confiscation, the South Bend Mayor slapped down the failed Texas Senate candidate when he stated, "I don't need lessons from you on courage."

Before the back-and-forth between Buttigieg and O'Rourke devolved into a full-blown slap-fight, Cooper allowed some of the other candidates on the stage to weigh in on banning semi-automatic firearms.

Senator Booker pretended to be concerned about how the candidates "talk to each other and about each other," then began talking about his gun licensing scheme without talking about the confiscation plan he has already stated he supports.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar talked about a number of anti-gun proposals, did not say that she specifically opposes confiscation, but has stated in the past that she supports "voluntary buybacks," rather than confiscation.

Senator Warren talked about treating semi-automatic firearms like AR-15s the same as fully-automatic firearms, invoking the registration and taxation scheme under the National Firearms Act (NFA).  She also called for an end to the filibuster in the Senate to help ram through gun control legislation.

Senator Harris then grossly underestimated the number of so-called "assault weapons," saying there are only five million, when most estimates put the number at over 15 million for just AR-15s.  Perhaps she is trying to minimize the impact her anti-gun efforts will have on law-abiding Americans by lying about how many will be affected.  She also repeated her audacious plan of using her executive authority as President to do what has already been done.  While she didn't actually say she supports confiscation on the debate stage this week, she has stated support for it in the past.

Former Vice President Biden stumbled through his statement next.  He talked about the failed Clinton gun ban of 1994-2004--trying to take sole credit for its passage--brought up registering AR-15s under the NFA--presumably to show he doesn't support confiscation--and spoke of repealing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA).

The last candidate given an opportunity to speak about confiscation was former HUD Secretary Julián Castro.  He stated he is opposed to confiscation because he does not want to see police going door-to-door to implement the policy, as he expressed concerns over "police violence."

So, while some candidates sparred over what to call the confiscation scheme, others made clear their opposition to it…for now.

…and if it quacks like a duck…

While the Democrat debate ended Tuesday night, the debate over what to call gun confiscation continues.  In fact, on MSNBC the following day, O'Rourke spoke to Joe Scarborough to make sure everyone understood his position; and his preferred terminology.  While Scarborough correctly referred to the plan as confiscation, O'Rourke claimed it was not, and continually referred to a "buyback."

Scarborough labored to get the candidate to admit confiscation is his goal, suggesting a hypothetical Texas rancher who simply does not feel a ban on AR-15s is just or constitutional.  In response, O'Rourke said that, as with any law, "there have to be consequences," and in Scarborough's hypothetical scenario, "there would be a visit by law enforcement."

Look, if you have to send law enforcement to someone's house to remove their lawfully acquired property under threat of penalty, you can try to say that's NOT confiscation

…but it is probably a duck.

TRENDING NOW
Colorado: Mandatory Storage Bill Passes General Assembly and Semi-Auto Ban Temporarily Removed from Calendar

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Colorado: Mandatory Storage Bill Passes General Assembly and Semi-Auto Ban Temporarily Removed from Calendar

In a temporary reprieve for Colorado gun owners, the semi-auto ban HB24-1292 has been removed from the calendar. But we cannot let our guard down as gun control advocates can bring it up for a vote at ...

The U.S. Supreme Court Looks at Government “Blacklists”

News  

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

The U.S. Supreme Court Looks at Government “Blacklists”

Much of the attention this past week in the United States Supreme Court was the oral arguments in National Rifle Association of America v. Vullo, No. 22-842, a First Amendment case on whether government officials ...

Colorado: Semi-Auto Ban Passes Committee and Sensitive Places Bill Hearing Rescheduled for Today!

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Colorado: Semi-Auto Ban Passes Committee and Sensitive Places Bill Hearing Rescheduled for Today!

Yesterday the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on House Bill 24-1292, the semi-auto ban, that lasted over 12 hours where hundreds of patriotic Coloradans overloaded the committee with opposition testimony. The hearing concluded with an ...

NRA Files Amicus Brief Asking Supreme Court to Hear Antonyuk v. James

News  

Second Amendment  

Monday, March 25, 2024

NRA Files Amicus Brief Asking Supreme Court to Hear Antonyuk v. James

In response to the NRA’s victory in Bruen, which secured every American’s right to carry arms, NY passed the “Concealed Carry Improvement Act,” severely restricting carry throughout the state. The 2nd Circuit upheld many of ...

25 years and one PLCAA Later, Chicago is Still Harassing Gunmakers

News  

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

25 years and one PLCAA Later, Chicago is Still Harassing Gunmakers

On March 19, the city of Chicago filed suit against handgun manufacturer Glock. Seeking to shift responsibility for the city’s woeful governance, Chicago’s lawsuit blames the popular firearm manufacturer for the third-party criminal misuse of ...

Washington: Governor Signs Anti-Gun Legislation

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Washington: Governor Signs Anti-Gun Legislation

Today, Governor Inslee signed five anti-gun bills into law that were recently passed by the Washington State Legislature. The bills include:

Anti-gun Democrats Seek to Undermine Law Passed to Protect Veterans’ Rights

News  

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Anti-gun Democrats Seek to Undermine Law Passed to Protect Veterans’ Rights

Last week we reported on a major breakthrough on behalf of veterans who risked losing their Second Amendment rights because of a long-running scheme by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report certain beneficiaries ...

Colorado: Semi-Auto Ban Scheduled for Floor Vote Today!

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Colorado: Semi-Auto Ban Scheduled for Floor Vote Today!

Today, the House is scheduled to vote on HB24-1292, the ban on semi-automatic firearms. Please contact your legislators today by using the button below and urge them to OPPOSE HB24-1292!

Louisiana: Firearms Bills on the Move - Take Action Now!

Monday, March 25, 2024

Louisiana: Firearms Bills on the Move - Take Action Now!

A number of firearm-related bills, including enhanced preemption, are moving in the Louisiana Legislature. It's critical that NRA members and Second Amendment supporters get involved to keep the momentum going!

Pennsylvania: Senate Committee Passes Full Inclusion Sunday Hunting

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Pennsylvania: Senate Committee Passes Full Inclusion Sunday Hunting

On Wednesday, the Senate Game & Fisheries Committee voted 7-4 to pass Senate Bill 67 to the Senate floor for a vote. 

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.