On January 4th, 2021, Shiela Jackson Lee, (D-TX) introduced Bill HR 127. The short title of the bill, "Sabika Sheikh Firearm Licensing and Registration Act". The purpose of this bill is to provide for the licensing of firearm and ammunition possession and the registration of firearms and to prohibit the possession of certain ammunition.
While this bill has been passed to the House Judiciary Committee for evaluation and has not even been introduced to the Supreme Court on its merits; It is important to note that the current administration is attempting to pack the Supreme court with justices that think along the lines of a more authoritarian nature.
HR-127 shall establish a system for licensing the possession of firearms or ammunition in the United States, and for the registration with the Bureau of each firearm present in the United States. Every gun in the United States under this bill shall be accounted for. And the owners of such said guns will be given three months to provide, the make, model, and the serial number of the firearm, the identity of the owner of the firearm, the date the firearm was acquired by the owner, and where the firearm is or will be stored. Included is also the identity of any person to whom the firearm is loaned for any period of time.
All gun owners must be registered to own a gun and must pass a psychological evaluation to own a firearm.
The 2nd Amendment clearly states, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." However, the legislation as written by Lee clearly puts infringement upon the people not solely owning firearms, but those contemplating the purchase of them.
Of particular concern is the portion of the psychological evaluation dealing with members of the household where the firearm is stored. Allowing the unelected official the Attorney general to determine who is qualified to determine the psychological condition of the person owning the firearm.
The above portion takes into consideration anyone with whom the owner of a firearm, has had any conflict with anyone attempting to register or continue to own a gun. It discriminates and has the potential to remove a firearm based on petty situations. Such as neighbors who may have a complaint over noise, or even even an ex spouse that may hold a grudge over laundry. It sets a very dangerous precedent over gun rights.
The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.
In the case of DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA v. HELLER, where a policeman applied to register a handgun he wished to keep at home, but the District refused. Heller filed suit against DC to enjoin the city from enforcing the bar on handgun registration, the licensing requirement insofar as it prohibits carrying an unlicensed firearm in the home, and the trigger-lock requirement insofar as it prohibits the use of functional firearms in the home.
The DC Circuit court ruled, that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to possess firearms and that the city’s total ban on handguns, as well as its requirement that firearms in the home be kept nonfunctional even when necessary for self-defense, violated that right.
There are some that do not take this legislation as a matter worth mentioning. Believing that the Supreme Court will not rule in favor of more legislation involving firearms. However it is important to note, that currently, the House of Representatives as well as the Senate are currently being held by people who share a similar belief with Sheila Jackson Lee, and that more legislation needs to be added to the Amendment.
In addition as this article is being written, there are discussions being held by the current administration that would seek to increase the number of Justices on the Court. The committee discussing it is composed of democrats who have for years been determined to overturn the 2nd Amendment.
For more information on this bill watch the video below.