Tuesday, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) released a statement on co-sponsoring Congressman Michael Cloud’s (TX-27) bill, the Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act (H.R. 2039). This bill would block the federal government from exploiting public health emergencies as a backdoor for unconstitutional gun control measures.
“COVID unmasked the federal government’s desire for control, weaponizing emergency powers to impose sweeping mandates and restrictions intended to strip Americans of their fundamental freedoms—including the right to bear arms,” Rep. Yakym said. “I commend Congressman Cloud for taking the lead to prevent any future administration from using emergency powers as a loophole for unconstitutional gun control.”
“We saw during COVID how government agencies exploited emergency powers to strip Americans of their freedoms — including attempts to use public health declarations as a tool for sweeping mandates and restrictions,” Rep. Cloud said. “We’ve also seen how the federal bureaucracy has made it clear they will seize any opportunity to expand their control at the expense of our liberties. We must steward this window of opportunity to re-secure these rights for the American people and ensure no administration can use emergency declarations as a backdoor for unconstitutional gun control.”
Background:
In June 2024, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory labeling firearm violence as a “public health crisis” while proposing measures, such as bans on carrying a firearm in public, full blown gun confiscation laws, so-called “assault weapons” bans, magazine capacity limits, storage requirements, and a national gun registry. These proposals amount to a complete nullification of the Second Amendment while ignoring the fundamental issues facing our communities.
The Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act would prohibit the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from declaring certain emergencies or disasters for the purpose of imposing gun control. The goal of this legislation is to keep Second Amendment rights protected during declared emergencies and prevent the federal government from using them to infringe on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.
New PIO officer announced for Indiana State Police Evansville District
Valentine seeks change of venue for murder trial
Indiana Gov. Braun declares state of disaster emergency for 63 Indiana counties
Newton power plant to be closed
Lawrence County Board approves public safety tax referendum
Library district in solid financial shape
U.S. 41 road project continues in Knox County
Richland County death investigation
Vantlin named Heeps of Jeeps First Responder of the Year
Vincennes University to upgrade Beckes Park
Lawrenceville sewage plant visited by U.S. EPA
Two dead after head-on collision in Crawford County
First-ever statewide digital library resource program available in Illinois
Knox County approving preliminary solar project resolution
St Francisville to contract out bridge repair work
U.S. Postal Service will be closed in observance of Juneteenth, June 19
Feutz sworn in as new Bridgeport Police Chief
