Rep. Vern Buchanan betrays gun owners, again

Florida Congressman was one of eight Republicans who voted for universal background checks.

Congressman Vernon Gale Buchanan

Just a couple years ago, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, said this about his Second Amendment credentials:

“Our district is a likely target for national anti-gun groups, extreme liberals and Hollywood types that would take away our Second Amendment rights. I am a strong defender of the Second Amendment, a Life Member of the NRA, and a gun owner and hunter. I support tougher laws against criminals — not against gun owners or firearms manufacturers. I will be a strong voice and sure vote in the battle to defend our Second Amendment rights.”

Turns out that statement, though powerful, wasn’t exactly true.

Maybe the good Congressman has morphed into one of the extreme liberals or Hollywood types imperiling his district, because yesterday he voted for the horribly anti-gun H.R.8, which outlaws private gun sales by requiring mandatory background checks on every single transfer.

As I wrote Thursday, the bill will likely result in the creation of a national gun registry and eventual confiscation.

Here’s what the National Rifle Association had to say about the legislation:

“H.R. 8, so called “universal” background checks, cannot be enforced without a federal gun registry, will not prevent crime, and will turn otherwise law-abiding citizens into criminals for simply loaning a firearm to friends or family members,” said Jason Ouimet, executive director of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “If Congress is serious about the safety of law-abiding citizens, it should have passed concealed carry reciprocity so that Americans can safeguard themselves and their families across state lines and throughout our country during these dangerous times.”

Buchanan did not return calls or emails left with his staff in Washington D.C. and Sarasota Thursday.

However, after he voted for the same bill in 2019, he sent out this statement:

“Our laws cannot be effective if there are gaping loopholes that allow criminals and deranged individuals to purchase firearms at gun shows or over the Internet without being subject to background checks. Today I voted for HR 8 to close these loopholes - a proposal supported by over 90 percent of gun owners in America, according to respected polling organizations.”

That statement says a lot about the former used car and insurance salesman, and what he does and doesn’t know.

For example, I would ask him to show me a website — any website — that will sell me a firearm and then ship it to my home without a background check. I’ve been looking for the site for years. It doesn’t exist.

Sure, there are several online retailers that will sell me a weapon, but all of them send it to a local gun dealer, where I must undergo a background check before I can get the gun, as required by federal law.

As a senior member of Congress and a self-described Second Amendment defender, Buchanan should know that.

Instead, he’s parroting anti-gun talking points from Everytown, the Brady Bunch and the Giffords — especially by citing that now-debunked 90% support statistic.

That is nearly as disturbing as his vote yesterday.

Maybe the good Congressman should go back to doing what he does best — stopping us from eating our pets.

His Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act of 2018 — a bill outlawing the consumption of cats and dogs in the United States — was signed into law on Dec. 20, 2018.

I appreciate that piece of legislation, Vern, as does Sammy my pit bull, but my gun rights need protection too. If you’re no longer up for the task, let us know and we’ll find someone who is.

As always, thanks for your time.

Lee