Bilirakis Pushes Back on Biden Administration’s Continued Erosion of 2nd Amendment Rights

WASHINGTON — Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and his Congressional colleagues demanded answers from the Biden Administration this week for its unprecedented and reckless restriction on civilian firearm exports.

“President Biden has consistently and pervasively worked to erode Second Amendment Rights of law abiding citizens,” said Congressman Bilirakis.  “He has previously moved to restrict hunting and archery programs in schools, and now he is he is prohibiting law-abiding businesses from selling their firearms overseas.  We must continue to push back against these egregious attempts at government overreach and protect the rights of all Americans.”

In a letter sent on November 7, 2023, the lawmakers write: “As long as evil persists, there will always be a need for good people to defend themselves and their loved ones. The need for the Second Amendment was not limited to the American Revolution nor the American Republic. Every person has a right to self-defense. Not only does BIS’s pause on firearms export licenses leave people even more vulnerable, but it will also push buyers to look elsewhere to meet their customers’ demands.”

The lawmakers continue: “Belligerent actors are becoming more aggressive and emboldened; regimes like Iran and China are posturing toward force and increasing their military capabilities. The surprise attacks against Israel should dispel any notion that BIS can justly or accurately assess who needs firearms for defense and who does not.” 

The lawmakers conclude: “We demand that the Department end this ridiculous hypocrisy and continue the issuance of export licenses for firearms, related components, and ammunition. Continuing this pause will only weaken law-abiding civilians and hand criminal actors a monopoly of force. We also urge that BIS’s final assessment not deprive innocent people of the means for self-defense.” 

To read the full letter endorsed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), Gun Owners of America (GOA), National Rifle Association (NRA), American Suppressors Association (ASA), the Firearms & Ammunition Import/Export Roundtable, and Heritage Action, click here.