“You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.” – Rahm Emanuel

What a famous and telling quote and one this administration seems to not only practice as gospel but seems culpable in creating a crisis in order to get things done. The exception to their imagination is the horrific mass killings by crazed people yet they are intent on using them as an opportunity to pass their agenda to limit our Constitutional rights*. Most people forget the second sentence of the quote but not the president and his ilk for that’s where the real power comes into play.

The Second Amendment is under serious attack from the Senate and the president, and not just the latest Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 (S. 150) that we are now very familiar with due to the Cruz vs. Feinstein debate. The Senate is concurrently working on five bills that will limit our rights.

While Cruz was in the spotlight, R-Sen. Cornyn [TX] offered some amendments to the Judiciary Committee on the Assault Weapons Ban Bill and all were voted down 10-8 along party lines. He plans to offer these amendments and others when the bill is up for a full vote on the Senate floor to provide for these exemptions (read more here):

1. for those in rural areas
2. for those who had obtained a protective order
3. for those who certified they were the victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking
4. for those people who were residents in a county or municipality that borders Mexico to protect themselves against the narco-terrorists.
5. for members of armed forces and veterans

Shocking that the D’s can’t see the value in protecting those with potentially long wait times for the police to arrive, women that are scared of being attacked, those living where Fast & Furious guns flowed faster than the Rio Grande and those who protect and defend us around the world. The only exceptions to the committee bill is for current and retired police officers. Cornyn pointed out that the committee sees a need for exceptions but questioned why just them and why then isn’t it logical to make exceptions for others.

There are four other bills that have already had hearings so probably will proceed (see below).

The great news is Reid will be pressured to bring the bills to a vote or else seem like a callous ogre and many of the bill sponsors and Senators are up for election in 2014. The D’s representing red states or even swing states won’t want the wrath of the voters but will be forced to take a vote: support the Second Amendment with the exceptions of D.C. vs. Heller or vote their conscience and explain it to their constituents. Of course if Reid wanted to economize, he could bundle them all and just call the bill, Assault on Self-Serving Americans Act or A.S.S. Americans Act for short.

I implore the president to go on the campaign trail and say to Congress and especially the Democratic Senate, “pass these bills now” like he did before his re-election. Because the bills are going nowhere if the Senate doesn’t vote first and at least I think I can count on Boehner and the House this time (fingers crossed).

It’s about time the Senators have to take meaningful votes and show their true colors. Reid has been keeping them in a witness Senate protection plan for too long.  Is it gluttonous for me to want a debate on the floor with Reid vs. Feinstein? It would be amusing to say the least.

Let the lines in the sand be drawn and the votes be taken. Remember the Second Amendment! 2014 here we come!

From Thomas.gov:

1. S.54 : Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2013 Sponsor: Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] (introduced 1/22/2013)      Cosponsors (7) Committees: Senate Judiciary Latest Major Action: 3/11/2013 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 23.

2. S.150 : Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 Sponsor: Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] (introduced 1/24/2013)      Cosponsors (21) Committees: Senate Judiciary Latest Major Action: 3/14/2013 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 27.

3. S.174 : Ammunition Background Check Act of 2013 Sponsor: Sen Blumenthal, Richard [CT] (introduced 1/29/2013)      Cosponsors (5) Committees: Senate Judiciary Latest Major Action: 2/12/2013 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights. Hearings held.

4. S.179 : Gun Trafficking Prevention Act of 2013 Sponsor: Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] (introduced 1/30/2013)      Cosponsors (1) Committees: Senate Judiciary Latest Major Action: 2/12/2013 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights. Hearings held.

5. S.195 : Mental Health in Schools Act of 2013 Sponsor: Sen Franken, Al [MN] (introduced 1/31/2013)      Cosponsors (15) Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 2/12/2013 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights. Hearings held.

*Please don’t misconstrue my words to mean that I don’t think the president wasn’t truly moved and saddened by the horrific violence; on the contrary, I think he did all he could to console the families of the victims as best as he could under the horrible circumstances and for that I applaud him.