Jonathan Goldstein: On gun laws, don’t let Virginia come to Pennsylvania

There’s hardly a time in recent memory when gun laws have not been a topic of debate. 

While often overshadowed by issues such as the economy or immigration, guns unavoidably reappear in the public mind any time the media reports on a shooting. 

But when it comes to gun laws and gun-involved homicides, the facts matter. 

Unfortunately, facts are all too often missing from the public debate — particularly among those trying to cancel Americans’ constitutional right to bear arms.

These folks — lawmakers, activists, and media commentators alike — claim that ending gun ownership will end gun violence. But they are astoundingly wrong. 

For example, what if I told you that a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention task force found there was insufficient evidence to determine if any gun control laws actually worked in preventing gun violence?  

What if I also told that that in determining insufficient evidence, the task force looked at laws including those many anti-gun lawmakers are pushing right now, including bans on specific firearms or ammunition, restrictions on acquiring firearms, waiting periods for purchasing guns, firearm registration, licensing of firearm owners, child access prevention laws, and more? 

Moreover, what if I told you that what’s proven effective at curbing gun violence is enforcing existing law while — critically — intervening to help those who show indisputable indication that they are likely to commit violence?

Unfortunately, these facts — which should matter immensely in any gun debate — are too often stunningly absent. And the result is chilling for law-abiding firearm owners. 

For evidence, just look to Virginia. 

Last November, anti-2nd Amendment Democrat candidates won a majority in both chambers of that commonwealth’s General Assembly, as well as winning the governor’s office.

And although Democrats often claim they’re “not out to take away anyone’s guns,” within the first two months of holding power, they pushed 25 new laws — 25! — aimed at disarming the law-abiding citizens of Virginia. 

The website TheTrace.org, connected to the anti-gun group Everytown for Gun Safety, explained, “When Democrat [Governor] Abigail Spanberger was elected … in November, giving the party a governing trifecta, Democratic state lawmakers saw the opportunity” to restrict gun ownership “and took it.” 

What did they do? The list is long, and frightening. 

They moved to ban certain semi-automatic firearms, including many rifles, pistols, and shotguns that are commonly used by law-abiding citizens. 

They moved to ban legal adults under 21 from owning certain guns. 

They moved to ban the sale of magazines exceeding fifteen rounds. 

Think of your modern sporting rifle. If they have their way? Banned. 

They banned carrying firearms in certain public places, further restricting the constitutional right to “keep and bear arms.” 

They authorized the seizure of guns from individuals who haven’t been convicted of a crime. 

The list goes on. 

Gov. Spanberger claims she “supports the Second Amendment.” But has she even read it?  It specifically recognizes that “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Infringed doesn’t simply mean completely eliminated. It also means hindered. 

Virginia Democrats were just waiting for the right moment to execute their statewide gun grab. When voters gave them a trifecta, they gave them that moment. 

Here in Pennsylvania, we also have Democrat lawmakers who claim to support the Second Amendment. But make no mistake. Legislative Democrats in Harrisburg have already signaled exactly what they would do if they gained a trifecta this November. 

For example, they’ve proposed a lifetime firearms ban for non-violent infractions and misdemeanors. 

They’ve proposed banning certain modern sporting rifles and the sale of magazines greater than 15 rounds. 

They’ve proposed authorizing the seizure of guns from individuals who have not been convicted of a crime. 

If this sounds familiar, it’s because these things that Pennsylvania Democrats want to do but can’t because they don’t hold a trifecta are the same things Virginia Democrats are doing because they do hold a trifecta. 

Here’s the particularly frightening thing: Pennsylvania Democrats are very close to gaining a trifecta. They have a one-vote majority in the state House and control of the governor’s office. The only thing standing in their way is the Republican-controlled state Senate. And Democrats need to flip just two seats to control the Senate, too.  

Just two. 

Beyond a cautionary tale, Virginia is a glaring warning.  Our right to keep and bear arms is under direct and sustained assault. And this November’s elections in Pennsylvania will be a deciding front in the battle for our freedom. 

There’s much more to say — and many more facts to highlight in the face of too many myths. We’ll illuminate more of the truth, and dispel more falsehoods, in future installments. Stay tuned.

Jonathan Goldstein is a founding partner of Goldstein Law Partners and also owns a number of small manufacturing companies across Pennsylvania.