The subject of guns came up at the White House press briefing this week, and much like everything else having to do with the 46th president, his administration's stance on gun control sounds fundamentally outdated. Mr. Biden's press secretary, Jen Psaki, is bully on scaling back Second Amendment rights and has been for some time. However, it appears she has missed something crucial regarding the gun control debate -- women are buying firearms in record numbers. So, why would a Democratic administration want to annoy a primary voting bloc? Perhaps it is because they are ignorant of current trends.
Chicks & Guns
According to The Firearm Industry Trade Association (NSSF), firearm sales have been going through the roof since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, retailers reported "a 95% increase in firearm sales and a 139% increase in ammunition sales over the same period in 2019." Guess who bought a boatload of guns and ammo? "The highest overall firearm sales increase comes from Black men and women who show a 58.2 percent increase in purchases during the first six months of 2020 versus the same period last year," wrote NSSF Director of Research and Market Development, Jim Curcuruto.
All this firearm activity was going on when Ms. Psaki was busy tweeting: "Gun registration yes yes yes. It is a public health emergency, and if any issue gets mothers out to the polls it should be this one." Had she equipped herself with the facts, Psaki would have noted that women purchase guns for self-protection by a 71% – 65% margin. Why take firearms out of the hands of women who value personal safety? Biden & Co. appear nothing short of tone-deaf in supporting legislation that would radically alter the way weapons and ammunition are purchased in America.
According to Liberty Nation's James Fite, a bill introduced in the House by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) is a wide-ranging piece of legislation that would redefine "the Second Amendment as we know it." In a comprehensive examination of H.R. 127, Fite detailed the multi-part bill:
"Applicants must be at least 21, pass a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check, pass a psychological evaluation, complete at least 24 hours of government-certified training in the use, safety, and safe storage of firearms, and pay for a special firearm insurance – which costs $800 per year."
But wait, there is more. There is also an effort to roll back The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act of 2005 (PLCAA). The White House press secretary said: "President Joe Biden looks forward to" repealing the "liability shields" that protect gun manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits. Psaki then doubled down, saying that gun control is a "priority" for the president.
A cursory scan of the internet reveals a plethora of websites dedicated to women who like firearms. There is an NRA-sponsored site called "Women on Target," as well as several female-operated sites, including Women and Guns, Gun Powder Gals, The Well Armed Woman, A Girl and a Gun Shooting League. There are also numerous forums outlining the top 10 firearms for women. Another website is a pictorial page hosted by Suburbanmen.com called "We Love Us Some Girls with Guns."
Since American women are in the midst of a love affair with firearms, Biden & Co. might want to note that this might not be the best time to get between a woman and her gun. Then again, that's probably never a good idea.
*The author is a card-carrying member of the NRA. Her weapon of choice for target-practice is a six-shot .357 magnum.
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