In a striking attack on the Second Amendment, House Democrats, led by Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), have introduced legislation proposing a staggering 1000% tax on AR-15s and other firearms categorized as “assault weapons.” This tax, also targeted at “high capacity” magazines, would effectively hike the price of a $500 gun to $5,000 and a $2,000 weapon to over $20,000. 

Such a proposal aligns with the Democrats’ relentless push to disarm law-abiding Americans.

This latest maneuver comes on the heels of a letter from Democrats to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), requesting more votes on gun control. This comes in response to the Republicans’ decision to recess early without addressing the issue. The Democrats’ letter bemoaned the “gun violence crisis that is the leading cause of death for children in America.”

The Democrats’ case for severe gun control measures falls back on emotional appeals and alarmist rhetoric. The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action asserts that gun control isn’t as effective against violent crime or gun violence as the Democrats claim. They cite multiple reasons, including that “criminals don’t obey gun control laws” and “cities with the strictest gun control have the highest crime rates.”

Take Chicago, for example. Despite being one of the cities with the strictest gun control laws in the nation, its residents have a 1-in-15 chance of being shot by age 40. Contrary to Democrats’ claims, their gun control measures do not seem to be a panacea for the societal issue of violence.

Gun control may not reduce crime rates, but it leaves potential victims more vulnerable. Thomas Jefferson poignantly remarked on the issue of gun control: “Such laws disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they encourage rather than prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.”

The irony here is palpable. While Democrats push for stricter gun control and levy accusations against “assault weapons,” their soft-on-crime policies and lax border control contribute to increased violent crime rates. Simultaneously, these same Democrat politicians enjoy the protection of heavily armed private or congressional security.

It’s also worth noting the language used in these discussions. The National Rifle Association has argued that gun control advocates use the term “assault weapon” as a deliberate attempt to confuse the public and further their agenda. According to the NRA, the term “assault rifle” should only apply to automatic weapons, not semi-automatic ones targeted by these controls.

As the Democrats strive to infringe upon the rights of law-abiding Americans, it becomes crucial for citizens to stay informed and vigilant. Because while this might seem like just another tax, the implications for our freedoms could be far more significant.