Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
So we are now hearing that Obama may simply issue an executive order implementing various gun control schemes that are unlikely to make it through Congress. Granted, the source of the information is Joe Biden, so we might just see a whole lot of walk back on this soon, but....
It got me thinking and wondering.
I know how the People of the Gun feel about such a move. It ranges from utter disbelief to threats of violence against cops that come around seeking to enforce such an order. Molon labe is a fairly common term nowadays in the 2A community. I suspect that things will not go well at all should Obama issue such an order.
What I'm curious about, however, is how conservatives who are not gun owners might be willing to do.
For example, would you contribute to legal efforts against such an imperial overreach?
Would you write your elected officials?
Would you urge your local/state officials to ignore and nullify the unconstitutional power grab (this includes voting against them or joining a recall movement)?
Would you join protests and demonstrations organized by People of the Gun?
Would you be willing to aid and abet gun owners who seek to disobey the law, or circumvent it (e.g., help them hide their weapons at your house)?
Would you, perhaps, do nothing, because it's the right thing to do, no matter the problems with the idea that the President can abrogate Constitutional rights via executive order?
There are other possibilities, I suppose, but I'm just curious what the people who don't own guns would be willing to do to support Second Amendment rights if it were commanded via executive order.
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Feb '12
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
I would duck.
Apr '11
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
Good question. I don't think I would break the law, or seek to personally confront it. I certainly would vote against anyone supportive of such actions, and I might even give money to something like the NRA to fight the president in the courts. I just don't see what he can do with executive orders really. I think this is just Biden blowing smoke out of his you know what.
Jun '12
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
My concern with such an order has nothing to do with guns. Just where does the President get the authority to issue such an order? As an executive he is tasked with implementing Federal law, which does (unfortunately) allow the bureaucratic state to write implementing regulations, but this would go beyond that. It would be an impeachable offense against his oath of office in my opinion, but I doubt with the make-up of the senate that such an effort would go anywhere, but R or D such behavior needs to be seriously restrained. Else we move a long way down the road to a tyranny, and only nominally a "soft" one.
May '12
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
I don't think we will see an EO banning gun(s). I think it will be more subversive regarding ammunition, magazines, interstate sales, etc. It will have to be something enforceable through an executive branch agency and cannot rely on legislative action or local enforcement.
Aug '11
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
I have no idea what an EO would look like. Someone suggested he could reclassify guns-- say, an AR15-- to make it "a banned weapon" (very loosely speaking). Someone also suggested there would be stricter enforcement of existing laws. It could go either way. I wouldn't be surprised if an "unconstitutional" EO was issued an Obama simply dared opponents to fight it through the courts.
I don't own guns. I wouldn't "panic buy." I wouldn't assist in any law breaking and I wouldn't march in any protests. I would probably end up contributing to gun ownership groups and writing politicians. It's probably something I should do now, in that the assault weapons ban will just be a chance to grab guns, and it will become an excuse to go after "semi-autos." The idea will be to make getting a gun so expensive that it won't be worth it for many people. Of course criminals will just steal guns but that's not really the point. The point is the optics of "doing something."
Nov '11
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
I think we'll see a walkback. I think Obama intends to be in-your-face in his second term, but this is probably not the smartest issue for him to blatantly push the Constitutional envelope. He'll be subtler about it.
If he did, though, I'd support any legal form of opposition that seemed likely to be effective, and contribute as possible. A court challenge would be rather more effective than a legislative one -- nothing will get through the Senate, so a House bill would be an empty gesture which won't do much good in the current political climate.
Sep '12
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
I will do anything and everything I can legally to have such a law overturned. I will contribute to legal funds seeking to challenge such an action, and I will support impeachment efforts by the House for violation of the Oath of Office and the Constitution.
I don't think it will be time to go into open rebellion, as that executive order is likely to last about as long as Obama's presidency.
Jan '11
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
I tend to agree that Obama won't issue an outright gun ban via EO; if anything, he might do something ordering ATF to reclassify certain weapons as Class III weapons or some such. Maybe order them to track bulk ammo sales or something.
But John Hanson in #3 is exactly right, and the reason why I asked.
If Obama seeks to do this via EO, it's not about guns, but about presidential power, about the point of democracy, and so on. So I was wondering how strongly non-gun owners felt about the issue.
Feb '11
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
I was a gun supporter for a long time before I became a gun owner. Now I've been both for a while (thank you Bill Clinton and Janet Reno). Until all the recent hysteria I had no interest in owning an AR-15. Now I've got a really mean-looking one on order from a local boutique maker who builds them custom (waiting on parts).
Edited on January 10, 2013 at 11:53pmJun '10
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
If Obama is true to form, he's going to create another government agency for the purpose of enforcing his executive order, or beef up an existing agency like Homeland Security for the purpose. Quite frankly, I don't care what he does. I no longer feel bound by the social contract, or morally obliged to obey regulations that were not passed by Congress.
Nov '11
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
A few comments:
1. I don't think we'll get gun control via executive order. Consider the source. (Biden, nuff said.)
2. This gun control thing will only go so far. Obama doesn't have the political talent, capital or will for the fight. It falls into the pattern for Obama: over reach, blow back, no fight.
3. As a non-gun owner, my tentative plan re a gun ban would be that if I ever saw one actually plausible, that I would get one at that point.
If it were to happen, there would be a sudden shortage, as there is now. Considering what's happened in the last month, that plan needs revision.
Nov '11
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
4. As to the specific question of the post: What would I do?
Well, I'd ignore the law. I would get a gun, despite the law, and keep it.
If there would a record of it somewhere and some government agent came around to confiscate it, I would lie about having it in my possession If they were to search my home, I would hide it where they wouldn't find it.
I have natural rights. No act of government supersedes my natural rights. They may claim it does, but it doesn't.
I am free, no matter what laws surround me.
And I'll be happy to help others resist tyranny.
Dec '10
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
You must join the fight, if you want to have a country left to give to your children.
If you don't speak up and act out when they come for the gun owners, you will find that there is no one left to act on your behalf when they come for you.
The reason that people like of Obama can do any damned thing they please anymore, is because nobody fights unless or until it is their bottom being gored.
By that time, it is too late.
We must all hang together, or we will all most assuredly hang separately.
Edited on January 11, 2013 at 12:34amRe: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
I would become a gun owner. If not then, when?
Apr '11
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
I suppose I am really not part of the "non-gun owner" group any longer, as I'll soon have my first gun in 30 years, thanks to Mr. Obama.
Nov '10
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
That would make a lot of recent buyers and older owners InstaCrims™ and/or FutureFelons™. Would you trust a government which pulls that kind of stunt?
May '10
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
If he's going to do this by Executive Order and make it stick, I think the likeliest route is through the back door. Not even Obama and Holder are so incompetent to think that a mere declaration that "The President says these guns are now illegal" will hold an ounce of water. Instead, they'll try something indirect like federal contracting. For instance, Obama may try to prevent federal agencies (including the military) from purchasing any services or products from companies that produce high capacity magazines for the civilian market. S&W, Remington, Sturm Ruger and the like would be in a tough pickle at that point. We need to be ready for a scenario like this one.
Nov '10
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
Fred Cole: A few comments:
3. As a non-gun owner, my tentative plan re a gun ban would be that if I ever saw one actually plausible, that I would get one at that point.
If it were to happen, there would be a sudden shortage, as there is now. Considering what's happened in the last month, that plan needs revision.
Hi, Fred. Where have you been lately?
That's about where I am right now on this gun thing. Let me know how your thinking evolves.
Nov '10
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
First, they came for the [fill in the blank], but I was't a one of them, so I did nothing; then they came for the [again, fill in the blank], but I was't a one of them, so I did nothing; then, they came for me, and there was nobody to defend me.
That is a rough paraphrase of what Pastor Martin Niemöller said of the situation in Germany in the 'Thirties. I think it applicable in this connection.
Wikipedia supplies this:
Edited on January 11, 2013 at 4:27amAug '10
Re: Non-Gun Owners: What Would You Do If Gun Control Happens Via Executive Order?
M1919A4:
That is a rough paraphrase of what Pastor Martin Niemöller said of the situation in Germany in the 'Thirties. I think if applicable in this connection.
Thank you . Can you repeat that over and over and over again. After all, it is your name .