Ocasio-Cortez Calls for Gun Ban in America, Champions Government Confiscation
Democrat socialist calls for radical firearms ban in the US following New Zealand shooting
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Democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has called for a radical firearms ban in the United States while championing government confiscation of guns from law-abiding citizens.
New York Democrat Ocasio-Cortez made the calls following New Zealand's introduction of sweeping new gun laws in response to the horrific shooting attacks at two Christchurch mosques last week.
On Thursday, NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced her country's new ban on "military-style" weapons, which includes government confiscation of nearly all semi-automatic firearms.
AOC celebrated the announcement by calling for the US to follow suit by introducing the same strict gun-control measures, despite the move meaning the government was going to be confiscating firearms from law-abiding citizens.
A number of Democrats have called for stricter gun measures in the US following the attacks in the Australasian state.
On Thursday, 2020 hopeful Bernie Sanders also joined the calls to ban guns in America, saying, "This is what real action to stop gun violence looks like. We must follow New Zealand’s lead."
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The 29-year-old progressive congresswoman tweeted on Wednesday:
"Sandy Hook happened 6 years ago and we can’t even get the Senate to hold a vote on universal background checks w/ #HR8.
"Christchurch happened, and within days New Zealand acted to get weapons of war out of the consumer market."
Included in her tweet is a video New Zealand's liberal Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announcing the new gun control laws.
"This is what leadership looks like," Ocasio-Cortez added.
Sandy Hook happened 6 years ago and we can’t even get the Senate to hold a vote on universal background checks w/ #HR8.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 21, 2019
Christchurch happened, and within days New Zealand acted to get weapons of war out of the consumer market.
This is what leadership looks like ⬇️ https://t.co/TcdR63anBt
Ardern specifically stated in that speech that the government was going to be confiscating firearms from law abiding citizens.
Arden said:
"In the meantime, we are asking all current holders of military-style semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles to visit www.police.govt.nz.
"There they will find details of the weapons included in this ban.
"In the next 48 hours, a form will be available on this site that we are asking these gun owners to complete, identifying what banned guns they hold.
"The police will then arrange for these weapons to be handed over, and eventually destroyed.
"Details of the weapons handed back by owners that are covered by the ban will also be taken to ensure that fair and reasonable compensation is paid once the buyback is in place.
"If owners are unable to complete the online form, they are able to contact the police on the phone to arrange the handover of these now-banned guns......
"As the legislation is developed, we will determine the time available for the return of military-style semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles, and the duration of the buyback scheme.
"I can assure people that there will be time for the returns to be made, and that they will not be criminalized overnight.
"After a reasonable period for returns, those who continue to possess these guns will be in contravention of the law.
"Currently, the penalties for this range from fines of up to $4,000 and or three years in prison.
"The draft legislation will look to increase these penalties."
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On Thursday night, Ocasio-Cortez flat out called for banning all semi-automatic firearms, which would include handguns, and called for banning bump stocks and high capacity magazines, according to the Daily Wire.
"You know, instead of training children, teachers, houses of faith, & concertgoers to prep for being shot, we could just:
"-Pass Universal Background checks (#HR8!)
"-Disarm domestic abusers
"-Mandate safe storage
"-Ban bump stocks, semiautos, & high cap mags designed to kill people," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.
You know, instead of training children, teachers, houses of faith, & concertgoers to prep for being shot, we could just:
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 22, 2019
-Pass Universal Background checks (#HR8!)
-Disarm domestic abusers
-Mandate safe storage
-Ban bump stocks, semiautos, & high cap mags designed to kill people https://t.co/5SaLxEfYBT
People with violent criminal records are already prohibited from owning and possessing firearms and bump stocks have already been banned.
The problem with New Zealand mirroring the Australian approach to gun control is the Australian approach didn’t work and wasn’t needed
— Buck Sexton (@BuckSexton) March 21, 2019
There are more guns in private hands in Australia now than before the 1996 ban *and* gun violence has simultaneously gone down for decades
The Hill's Buck Sexton noted: "The problem with New Zealand mirroring the Australian approach to gun control is the Australian approach didn’t work and wasn’t needed.
"There are more guns in private hands in Australia now than before the 1996 ban *and* gun violence has simultaneously gone down for decades."
