Trump Signs Bill Protecting Rights of SSA Recipients
Kevin Felts 03.01.17
President Trump signed a bill into law that affirmed the rights of people drawing Social Security to due process.
We here at AllOutdoor have been following this bill for some time:
NRA: Congress to Review Social Security Gun Ban
Congress Votes to Repeal Social Security Gun Ban
The bipartisan bill passed with a vote of 57-43 and then was sent to the desk of President Trump to sign, which he did.
Fairfax, Va.— The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) applauded President Donald Trump today for signing H.J. Res. 40, revoking a last-minute gun grab issued at the end of the Obama administration.
“Today marks a new era for law-abiding gun owners, as we now have a president who respects and supports our right to keep and bear arms,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director, NRA-ILA. “Our thanks go to President Trump and the congressman and senators who led the fight for this important legislation.”
H.J. Res. 40 passed both the House and the Senate with bipartisan support. The bill revokes an Obama-era rule that would have stripped Second Amendment rights from tens of thousands of people each year without due process.
Details of the action:
Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress is allowed to review, and revoke, any action an outgoing administration made in its final 60 legislative days. This rule falls under that time frame.
The rule, finalized in December, would have resulted in 75,000 social security recipients who use a representative payee losing their Second Amendment rights without due process.
The now-revoked rule would have affected those on disability for conditions that include eating disorders and anxiety.
The move to revoke the rule was supported by the NRA, the ACLU, and more than a dozen mental health advocacy organizations.
“We are pleased that this example of government overreach will no longer be pursued,” concluded Cox.
Why Is This Important?
President Obama gave the Social Security Administration the ability to deny anyone drawing Social Security the right to buy a firearm. The denial violated various due process rights that every U.S. citizen is entitled to.
The Fifth Amendment states: “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.”
Due process is the right to challenge the government’s evidence in a court of law, have legal council, and to be able to present your own evidence.
The Obama order bypassed the citizens’ right to have his or her day in court.
