Byron Donalds on Gun Control

Pro 2nd amendment; against misguided gun control legislation

Voted NO on new gun control after high school shooting

NRA-ILA opposition: The Florida Senate will take up SB-7026, a bill that punishes gun owners, which includes:

1. Makes it a felony for any person under 21 to purchase any firearm either privately or from a dealer.
2. Minimum 3-Day Waiting Period on ALL FIREARMS.
3. Every year it confiscates 10% of the license fees paid by CW license holders to pay for the care of victims of mass shootings.
4. Bans the sale and transfer of Bump Stocks.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 20-18-0 on Mar/5/18; Passed House 67-50-3 on Mar/7/18; State Rep. Byron Donalds voted NO; Signed by Governor Rick Scott on Mar/9/18

Voted NO on background checks for private transfers.

H.R.8 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act: This bill establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals). Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. The prohibition does not apply to gifts between spouses in good faith.

Heritage Action opinion to vote NO (Feb. 26, 2019): This legislation would require universal background checks for all firearm sales (even private). Unfortunately, universal background checks would do little to prevent firearm violence and would instead make it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to purchase, own, carry, and use a firearm. Studies show that universal background checks are largely ineffective when it comes to preventing mass shootings. In 19 of the most recent high-profile cases, the shooters bought their firearms legally and passed all the required background checks.

White House Statement (Biden's opinion to vote YES): Gun violence is a public health crisis. Every day, gun violence--community violence, domestic violence, suicides, and mass shootings--takes American lives and forever alters many more. Last year, we saw record levels of homicides in cities throughout our country. The Federal gun background check system is a proven tool to reduce gun violence and save lives. This system, called the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, has kept millions of guns out of potentially dangerous hands. The Administration encourages closing existing loopholes in this system [such as private transfers in H.R. 8].

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 227-203-1 on 03/11/2021 (rollcall #75); introduced in Senate with 36 co-sponsors; no further Senate action during 2021.