To Wyoming Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis:

It is being reported by various media outlets that you are supportive of the draconian gun control measures, including Red Flag gun confiscation being fast tracked through Congress right now. Sen. Barrasso, you were seen standing by Sen. Mitch McConnell as he proclaimed his support for the gun control measures headed to the Senate.

As described by Sen. Murphy, this plan would involve using federal taxpayer dollars to incentivize states to pass “Extreme Risk Protection Order” laws, more appropriately known as “Red Flag Gun Confiscation”.

While these types of laws come in a variety of forms, they all share a common attribute: they authorize the forcible seizure of firearms from people without requiring them to be convicted of a crime. In fact, most implementations allow these orders to be issued in an ex-parte proceeding during which the accused isn’t even afforded an opportunity to object or mount a defense.

The proposal in question seeks to allow Congress to deflect responsibility for enacting such horrid laws by essentially punting to the states. Knowing that forcing such immoral and unconstitutional provisions nationwide would not garner enough votes to overcome a filibuster. Sen. Murphy instead proposes to bribe states with their own tax money to do his dirty work for him. This is unacceptable.

You may believe your vote on this proposed bill comes at little risk as Wyoming has demonstrated time and again that our Legislature would not vote to pass such laws. While that may be true, many other states will not have such resolve. If this measure comes to fruition, a vote for it will directly enable the spread of confiscation laws throughout the country and further normalize support for the eventual disarmament of this nation.

Under NO circumstances should you allow any bill to advance that contains ANY form of gun control or firearm confiscation of ANY KIND, no matter how small or “indirect” it may seem.

Let it be known, that as Republican legislators in the great State of Wyoming, the state with more firearms per capita than any other state in the union, we DO NOT approve of ANY gun control measures at all, per the Second Amendment of the United States of America and Art. 1 Sec. 24 of the Wyoming Constitution.

Please stand tall, hold the line — remember the Code of the West — and immediately and publicly refuse to support any legislation that incentivizes or encourages the passage of Red Flag laws or gun control of any variety.

We, as members of the legislative body in the great state of Wyoming, hereby direct you to vote NO on any and all gun control legislation, including Red Flag legislation.

Respectfully,

State Sen. Anthony Bouchard, Cheyenne

State Rep. Robert Wharff, Evanston