Candidates in the upcoming Republican primary runoff election have shared their opinions on President Joe Biden’s intentions to enforce measures against guns.
For example, “red flag laws” enable law enforcement to ask a court to temporarily take guns from someone who might be a threat to themselves or others. Supporters of red flag laws argue that they lead to a decrease in gun violence.
The Biden administration recently established the National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource, which gives training and support to various professionals responsible for implementing laws aimed at keeping guns away from people who could be a threat to themselves or others.
Regarding the necessity of the program, Asst. Att. Gen. Amy L. Solomon said in a press release, “This crisis cannot be solved at one level of government. We must use all of our resources and collaborate at the federal, state, and local levels to find innovative, evidence-based, and holistic solutions to help keep American communities safe.”
Although supposedly created to reduce “gun violence,” multiple Republican runoff candidates criticized the initiative.
“After I am elected, I will help push a constitutional amendment [to the Texas Constitution] banning red flag Laws — something the [state] legislature should have already done,” House District 91 Republican candidate David Lowe told The Dallas Express.
House District 91 incumbent Stephanie Klick (R-Fort Worth) did not respond to DX‘s inquiry.
House District 97 candidates Cheryl Bean and John McQueeney did not respond to DX‘s inquiry but previously spoke on the issue with another media outlet.
“We are fortunate to live in the strongest Second Amendment state in the country. But that doesn’t stop the federal government from encroaching on our rights with such things as new red flag laws or gun registration laws,” Bean said, according to the Texas Scorecard.
“We must do everything we can to ensure state sovereignty on second amendment rights and hold the line. As such, I intend to support all current legislation pertaining to Texan’s Second Amendment rights to own, possess, buy/sell, and carry ALL firearms. Additionally, I commit to oppose any legislation that infringes on these rights,” she added.
McQueeney told Texas Scorecard that he would support the Second Amendment.
“I am a strong defender of the 2nd Amendment and will fight to defend Constitutional carry and all of the recent 2nd Amendment victories in the Texas Legislature. I will also look for ways to strengthen our 2nd Amendment laws, including the prohibition of gun-free zones so that all law-abiding citizens have the ability to defend themselves and their families at all times,” he wrote.
District 12 congressional candidate John O’Shea criticized Biden’s plan, stating that Congress can halt such initiatives.
“Congress has the power to defund whatever entity is enforcing those red flag centers,” O’Shea told DX. “The Congress has the authority over the government's spending.”
Rep. Craig Goldman (R-Fort Worth), who is also a candidate for District 12, did not reply to DX‘s inquiry.
Both Senate District 30 Republican Primary runoff candidates also criticized Biden’s decision.
“We will be watchful. We have approved concealed carry, campus carry, open carry, and constitutional carry. We need to keep fighting against federal intrusion, efforts by large Democratic cities and counties to limit rights, and against lawyers who want to sue gun makers and sellers,” said Brent Hagenbuch, per Texas Scorecard.
“As a veteran and proud gun owner, I strongly support the 2nd Amendment. The government should not violate the right of law-abiding citizens to own and carry guns to protect their life, freedom, and property. I will firmly oppose any attempt to restrict this important constitutional protection—including so-called red flag flaws and unconstitutional federal overreach from agencies like ATF,” Jace Yarbrough told Texas Scorecard.
