Arizona lawmakers passed a law prohibiting state and local law enforcement officials from enforcing federal gun laws that are inconsistent with state law ahead of President Joe Biden unveiling his administration’s gun control measures.
Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, signed the Second Amendment Firearm Freedom Act on Tuesday, as protesters from Moms Demand Action, a group bankrolled by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, gathered outside to protest.
“There is a lot of discussion out of Washington about congressional action around the Second Amendment, and this law was simply to protect the rights we already enjoy in Arizona,” Ducey said, advocating for the state to instead enforce existing laws.
Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone warned that the Second Amendment Firearm Freedom Act would create “confusion or challenges” for local police and sheriffs tasked with enforcing the law.
‘THIS IS THE BEGINNING’: WHITE HOUSE SIGNALS MORE TO COME ON GUNS
“You could make the easy argument saying it’s a state practice — the person has a right to bear arms, therefore, you’re in conflict with that,” Penzone warned last Thursday. “Now, you’re putting officers or deputies in this position, where they’re questioning whether or not some other entity will determine if it’s in conflict with the Second Amendment, therefore, do we act on it? And that’s where it creates problems.”
Several states have considered similar measures to the one taken by legislators in Arizona. The Missouri House in February passed a measure that, if enacted, would allow individuals to sue local police agencies for enforcing federal gun laws. The Utah state Senate is considering a bill that would prohibit state and local agencies from enforcing federal gun statutes.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
After Democrats were victorious in Virginia’s 2019 state elections, dozens of counties became Second Amendment sanctuaries. Gov. Ralph Northam signed sweeping gun control legislation in the state in April 2020. The legislation established a “red flag” program, which allows a judge to remove firearms from people deemed to be a danger to themselves or others, limited purchasers to one handgun per month, and required background checks for all gun sales in the state.
Biden unveiled a series of gun control measures Thursday in a Rose Garden address, including cracking down on “ghost guns,” pushing for states to implement red flag laws, and targeting gun violence in inner cities.
