Showing absurd priorities, Idaho senator targets this ‘need’ during shutdown | Opinion
U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, introduced legislation last week to make sure the government shutdown doesn’t affect U.S. citizens from performing a very important function.
Buying food? Nope.
Having health care? Nope.
Getting paid for working a federal job? Of course not.
Traveling to see loved ones for Thanksgiving? Keep guessing.
Buying a gun? You got it.
Risch’s Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act would require federal agencies to continue processing firearm applications and licenses despite a lapse in appropriations.
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives have halted most operations associated with the background checks and licensing applications because of the shutdown, which is now the longest ever.
“The government shutdown has real impacts on real people, but it certainly should not compromise our constitutional rights,” Risch said in a press release. “While Democrats pander to their far-Left base, federal agencies have stopped processing firearm applications, unjustly restricting law-abiding Idahoans’ Second Amendment rights. My Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act ensures our right to lawfully bear arms is not infringed when there is a lapse in appropriations.”
By “far-left base,” does he mean the people who want to make sure Americans in need can eat? Or get access to health care? Or see family over the holidays?
Now, don’t think this is some sort of anti-gun screed. I own a few guns, and I supported my favorite gun store last week by buying a box of ammo. I get just as impatient as the next guy when that background check takes longer than five minutes.
But is this really the most pressing need during the government shutdown? Is it in the top 10 needs? Is it even a need at all?
When you’ve got families who are losing food stamps, members of the military and federal workers who aren’t getting paid, President Donald Trump permanently laying off others and threatening to shut down U.S. airspace, and his administration already ordering the busiest airports to cut flights?
Making sure my background check on a new gun goes through without delay is more important? Seriously, senator?
With 500 million guns in the U.S. — far more guns than people — I think we can all survive a couple of months without getting that new AR-15.
I’d rather see Risch and his Republican colleagues who are co-sponsoring this bill, including U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, come up with a bill to make sure food stamps are fully funded, U.S. airspace remains open, members of the military get paid or even, Heaven forbid, the government can function.
Or maybe I’m misguided here. Maybe the idea is that since millions of Americans are going to lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, they’ll need to go out and kill their own food. It is hunting season, after all.
So don’t worry, everyone. No paycheck? No food stamps? No health care? No problem.
Just head to your local gun store and pick up a new firearm, by God.
If Risch and Crapo have their way, the federal government won’t slow you down.
Scott McIntosh is the opinion editor of the Idaho Statesman. You can email him at smcintosh@idahostatesman.com or call him at 208-377-6202. Sign up for the free weekly email newsletter The Idaho Way.
