Senator Robert Brady (D-PA) plans on introducing legislation that would, to quote The Hill, “make it a federal crime to use language or symbols that could be perceived as threatening or inciting violence against a federal official or member of Congress.” As an example of such rhetoric, Brady singled out the now-infamous Palin crosshairs map, saying, “You can’t put bull’s-eyes or crosshairs on a United States congressman or a federal official.”

It’s sad that I have to say this in reference to national tragedy, but it is now more than ever that we have to be wary of threats in the form of gun and speech controls. This bill is one such threat, and needs to be opposed strenuously. Sarah Palin’s political speech, and that of others, cannot be held liable for this, or any other, tragedy: a bullseye does not cause or even naturally lead to political violence, and as far as we know, the killer was not motivated by it even one little bit. Peoples’ actions are their own, and removing a cornerstone of free speech will do nothing to prevent future tragedies, all while doing its part to un-Constitutionally restrict political speech. Elected Dems rarely waste a tragedy: don’t let them use this one to pass legislation that shreds our First Amendment rights.