Utah Asserts Its Sovereignty!

Over the past several decades, Congress has abused the interstate commerce clause of the US Constitution to violate virtually all of the US Constitution (particularly the 10th Amendment) by imposing excessive regulatory and legislative burdens upon the people and on the States. Sadly, the States' governors and legislators have allowed this to go on -- until very recently.

More specifically, the federal government has abused the interstate commerce clause to infringe a Constitutionally enumerated right -- the right to keep and bear arms. The federal government even believes it can go so far as to impose federal control over intrastate gun manufacture, sale, and ownership! This is a direct infringement on Utahns' right to keep and bear arms, protected by the state and federal Constitutions:

• The US Constitution guarantees that "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
• Utah's Constitution Article 1 Section 6 guarantees our right "...to keep and bear arms for security and defense of self, family, others, property, or the state, as well as for other lawful purposes..."

The State legislature has wisely and courageously passed SB.11 (Utah Made Firearms). SB.11 simply and plainly states that there is no federal authority to meddle in the manufacture and sale of guns made in Utah and remaining in Utah. They will still be subject to State background checks, and if they move outside of Utah, they would become subject to federal gun laws. Two States have already passed nearly identical bills, and 22 other States are considering similar bills. I am proud that Utah is leading this effort to put the federal government back in it's place.

There is some concern among some that enforcing SB.11, and similar bills in other States, may result in expensive litigation between those States and the federal government. My response is, at what price are they willing to sell their liberty and rights? Regarding the price of our rights, this is what our founders said, in the Declaration of Independence, they would pay: "...with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." Our generation must do no less! As the States band together in the 10th Amendment cause, they will push the federal government back into it's place. That is worth any price. Utah must help lead that fight!

While I am disappointed that SB.11 does not go far enough to assert Utah's 10th-Amendment rights (and I have told my legislators that is my belief), this bill is a small step in the right direction. I urge Governor Herbert to sign this law immediately. The federal government must be stopped!

Recommended book:

From Luby's to the Legislature: One Woman's Fight Against Gun Control