Rep. Doug Collins Rakes Rep. Jerry Nadler Over "Red Flag Laws"

Above, Rep. Jerry Nadler.

Those who are regular readers of this blog know that I am adamantly opposed to the so-called "red flag" laws that the Democrats (and some Republicans) are backing after having been subjected to Commiefornia's (California, in case you are dense) "red flag" law in a restraining order application three years ago.

Ranking House Judiciary Committee member, Rep. Doug Collins, raked committee chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler over the coals over proposed "red flag laws".

Townhall.com reported:

On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee held a markup hearing on various pieces of gun control legislation. While discussing HR1236, the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019, commonly referred to as red flag laws, Ranking Member Doug Collins (R-GA) took swipes at Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY). In the past, Nadler has dubbed himself as someone who values civil liberties and due process. But, of course, we know that red flag laws defy both of those principles.  

"Mr. Chairman, thank you again for holding this markup today. Like you, I am concerned about addressing this important issue, addressing the issue of mass shootings to combating the discouraging laws plaguing our urban communities. I stand ready to work with you on sensible solutions that will, that could actually prevent, these atrocities. What I am not willing to do is support legislation that will not do anything to make us safer and will simultaneously infringes on the rights and liberties guaranteed by our Constitution. Unfortunately, all three of the bills we're considering today will do just that," Collins explained. "First, we'll be considering HR1236, the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019. While this bill may seem like a common sense measure, it's flawed in far too many ways to be worthy of this Committee's support." 

"Five months ago in an interview, one of the statements given by the Chairman, and you said this to one of your hometown papers: 'My original motive in politics, from the time I was probably 12-years-old, was civil rights, civil liberties and due process and I've always concentrated on them and that's why I've never changed,'" Collins quoted. 

Collins laid out the lack of due process and how that's dangerous to Americans' Second Amendment rights.  

"Well, I'm not sure what's changed but the bill before us today has some serious due process problems. Namely, the bill allows for confiscation of individual's firearms without notice or without an opportunity to be heard," Collins explained. "Even more egregious is the fact that ex-parte determination can be determined when a judge finds there's a 'reasonable cause' to believe the individual possesses a danger to himself or others [while] having access to a firearm. 'Reasonable cause' isn't even 'probably cause.' It's certainly less than clear and convincing evidence. Do we really want to surrender Americans' Constitutional rights to such a low standard without giving those citizens notice or an opportunity to be heard? What other rights are we willing to sacrifice in this manner?"

To read more, go here.