Welcome to the weekly edition of Second Amendment Watch, a recurring feature that focuses on incidents or issues that either attack or defend the Second Amendment.

Last week I wrote about Representative Mike Honda’s (D-California) proposed legislation that aims to restrict home gunsmithing, prohibit sale or possession of certain body armor, and prevent 3-D printing of gun parts. In the same article, I also pointed out that Democrats likely view their minority in the House and Senate as an opportunity to propose progressive legislation that caters to their base, while blaming all of their failings on Republicans. It was brought to my attention by a reader that I had been remiss to mention that Republicans do the same thing. Republicans would have done the same thing in the past and they will again in the future when they are once again the minority. But right now it is the Democrats turn to be sycophants to their progressive base.

Another Democrat Representative, Lois Capps (D-California), took advantage of the opportunity last week by introducing a “Pause for Safety” bill into the House of Representatives. Capps represents the Santa Barbara area, where nearly eight months ago a psychopath stabbed, shot, and ran down innocent civilians with his car. Representative Capp’s invited the father of one of victims, Richard Martinez, with her to attend the State of the Union address last week. While introducing the legislation she used Martinez as a reference.

From Representative Capps’ official House webpage:

“It has been nearly eight months since the Isla Vista community – and the nation – was rocked by the unspeakable violence in I.V.,” Capps said in a prepared statement. “And the State of the Union is an important time to highlight that we will not let this issue fade without action. Mr. Martinez has dedicated his life to making sure that not one more family has to endure the pain he has. I will continue to work with him and my Congressional colleagues to push forward on Pause for Safety and other important measure to make our communities safer.”

Capps’ bill, H.R. 410, would create a national gun violence prevention order and warrant law. The law would encourage states to set up a program for the “temporary” seizure of guns from an individual at the request of family or close associates. The legislation also would offer states that comply with the program offsetting grant funds to assist with setting up the programs through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

When you start to dig into the definitions of “close associates” the bill becomes even more frightening. Close associate is defined as a dating partner, friend, co-worker, neighbor, or any other person who has a relationship with the individual.

You better be courteous to co-workers, neighbors, and anyone that can justify a relationship with you. If Representative Capp’s has her way, they could have the power to strip you of your Second Amendment right to bear arms.

This bill would be a huge blow to individual rights. Unfortunately, California already cracked Pandora’s Box open last October when very similar legislation was signed into law by California governor Jerry Brown as a knee jerk response to the Isla Vista murders.

Capps’ bill likely won’t make it out of the House Judiciary Committee, but still serves to satiate those that crave more gun control. As per usual, progressives are trying to solve a very complicated problem, with a one size fits all, top down solution. Things are not that simple. Not every person that has mental health issues is a risk to go on a shooting spree. Additionally, an individual who is a threat to harm themselves or others may not be pacified by taking their guns away; they could even be agitated by the action.

Mental health problems are a serious issue throughout the world, but taking guns away, even temporarily, from individuals identified as crazy by “close associates” does not solve the problem. Turning the force of government on some of the most vulnerable individuals in society does little to help those afflicted with mental health issues.

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