Weekly Wrap: GOSAFE Act Targets Gas-Operated Semi-Autos
Two U.S. senators introduced a new gun bill this week that aims to ban certain firearms based on “lethality” versus cosmetic features.
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Welcome to a weekly series here on Pew Pew Tactical dedicated to the gun news you need to know.
So, keep reading for this week’s notable news headlines…
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GOSAFE Act Looks to Ban Gas-Operated Semi-Auto Guns
Two U.S. senators introduced a new gun bill this week that aims to ban certain firearms based on “lethality” versus cosmetic features like previous bills have.
The GOSAFE Act, introduced by Sens. Angus King (Maine-I) and Martin Heinrich (New Mexico-D), targets gas-operated semi-auto firearms in a few ways.
First, the bill would create a banned list of guns that would no longer be available for sale. It also prevents “unlawful modifications” of firearms such as bump stocks, requires all future gas-operated guns be approved prior to manufacture, and goes after 80% kits and DIY firearms.
But that’s just the start. Moving further into the bill’s text, the GOSAFE Act would also see magazine capacity restrictions of 10 rounds or less for rifles and shotguns and a 15-round cap for handguns. It also prohibits guns that can accept detachable, high-capacity magazines.
There would be exemptions, however, including:
- .22 caliber rimfire or less
- Bolt action rifles
- Semi-automatic shotguns
- Recoil-operated handguns
- Any rifle with a permanently fixed magazine of 10 rounds or less
- Any shotgun with a permanently fixed magazine of 10 rounds or less
- Any handgun with a permanently fixed magazine of 15 rounds or less
Despite restrictions on firearms, advocates of the bill say it actually supports the Second Amendment.
“Our country is reeling from a gun violence crisis that has taken far too many lives in New Mexico and across this country. The American people deserve meaningful action from Congress. That’s why I’m introducing the GOSAFE Act,” Heinrich said in a statement.
“Like many New Mexicans, I am a gun owner. I firmly believe we must uphold the laws that protect safe and responsible gun ownership. This bill achieves that, while taking steps to get those firearms that are inherently dangerous and unusually lethal, designed for maximum harm, out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves or others.”
Pro-gun advocates disagree, though, pointing to the bill’s language banning firearms as evidence that this bill is not Second Amendment friendly.
“The legislation introduced by Senators King and Heinrich is openly defiant of the rights protected by the U.S. Constitution,” Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President, and General Counsel, said in a statement.
“There is no path forward for legislation of this nature that would deprive law-abiding citizens the ability to lawfully possess the firearm of their choosing and the full spectrum of their Second Amendment rights.”
The legislation comes in response to a mass shooting at a bowling alley and restaurant in Lewiston, Maine, on October 25.
Gun Sales Hit Record High Black Friday
Black Friday proved profitable for the gun industry as the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System processed over 214,000 background checks that day.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation said that represents an 11-percent increase over 2022. Additionally, this year’s numbers top the previous record in 2017 (203,086), landing it a spot on the NICS Top 10 Highest Days. The first two spots were held by two separate days in March 2021 after the U.S. went into lockdown over COVID-19.
“The background checks reported by the FBI are in keeping with the trends NSSF has seen throughout the year. Firearm sales remain consistently strong, with over a million per month for more than four years running,” Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO, said in a statement.
“These figures tell us that there is a continued strong appetite for lawful firearm ownership by law-abiding Americans and that firearm manufacturers across the country continue to deliver the quality firearms our customers have come to expect.”
Background check data typically sees a bump during the holiday season. The week of Black Friday was no exception, as retailers slashed prices and held sales.
NICS completed 680,671 checks during the days leading up to and including Black Friday.
Belgian Air Force Targets Drones with Benelli M4
The Belgians are taking on Unmanned Aerial Systems, a.k.a drones, with a simple solution that provides a big bang – the Benelli M4.
Chambered in 12-gauge, the Benelli M4 paired with high brass steel shot will target the skies and take down drones.
Kleine-Brogel Air Base demonstrated the Benelli in the hands of some of its security forces during a training exercise.
“The Benelli M4 is a new C-UAS (Counter Unmanned Aerial System). This makes our security teams even better equipped (in the fight against drones),” the base posted to its Facebook page earlier this month, explaining the choice of the M4.
“It's a user-friendly weapon, very effective and meanwhile operational at our airbase.”
The M4 is a popular choice of militaries worldwide, including the U.S., which chose the platform for Marines in 1999 as the M1014 Joint Services Combat Shotgun.
You can learn more about the Benelli M4 in our full review.