GOA's Michael Hammond Discusses the Social Security Gun Ban

Published on March 17, 2017
Duration: 8:45

Michael Hammond, Legislative Counsel for Gun Owners of America, discusses a regulation that would have barred individuals receiving Social Security Disability benefits for mental health reasons from owning firearms. He argues this policy lacked due process, as bureaucrats could deny gun rights based on diagnoses like anxiety without medical degrees or personal interaction. The regulation, a mandate from the Obama administration, was rolled back by a bipartisan vote, with Republicans and five Democrats voting to repeal it. Hammond contrasts this with the perceived media narrative that Republicans support 'crazy people' having guns, calling such framing fraudulent.

Quick Summary

The Social Security gun ban, a mandate from the Obama administration, proposed barring individuals receiving Social Security Disability for mental health reasons from owning firearms. Critics argued it lacked due process, allowing bureaucrats to deny rights based on file reviews and potentially leading to forced firearm seizure. The regulation was ultimately rolled back by a bipartisan Senate vote.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction of Michael Hammond
  2. 00:15ROTC Experience and Gun Control
  3. 01:29The Social Security Gun Ban
  4. 01:53How the Ban Worked
  5. 02:35Consequences of the Ban
  6. 03:07Lack of Due Process
  7. 03:13Senate Vote on the Ban
  8. 03:36Media Framing of Gun Rights
  9. 04:10Sandy Hook and Gun Control
  10. 05:03Observations on Sandy Hook
  11. 06:01Impact of Gun-Free Zones
  12. 07:09Obama Administration Mandate
  13. 08:01Conclusion and GOA Role

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Social Security gun ban?

The Social Security gun ban was a regulation from the Obama administration that would have barred individuals receiving Social Security Disability benefits for mental health reasons from owning firearms. It allowed bureaucrats to deny gun rights based on file reviews without medical degrees or personal interaction, and could lead to forced seizure of firearms.

Why was the Social Security gun ban controversial?

The ban was controversial because it was seen as a denial of due process, allowing individuals to be stripped of their Second Amendment rights based on bureaucratic decisions rather than judicial review. The potential for forced firearm seizure by SWAT teams also raised significant concerns.

Who voted to roll back the Social Security gun ban?

The regulation was rolled back by a bipartisan vote in the Senate. All Republican senators voted to repeal it, joined by five Democratic senators, indicating widespread opposition to the policy's implementation.

How did the media portray the Social Security gun ban debate?

Michael Hammond of Gun Owners of America stated that the media often framed the debate by suggesting Republicans supported 'crazy people to have guns.' He characterized this as a fraudulent and misleading narrative designed to misrepresent the opposition to the ban.

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