Jon Ossoff, a candidate for one of Georgia’s two runoff senate elections, said on his campaign website that he supports a ban on semi-automatic rifles, which he referred to as “assault weapons,” and a ban on “high-capacity magazines,” as well as “red flag” confiscation laws.
Ossoff stated in his gun policy platform, “I support the Second Amendment and I respect the overwhelming majority of gun owners who recognize that guns aren’t toys; they are lethal and dangerous tools.” Ossoff then listed a number of gun policy proposals he supports, including the ban on semi-automatic rifles and magazines over a certain capacity.
Ossoff is headed for a runoff election with, Sen. David Purdue (R-GA) on Jan. 5, 2021. The runoff race comes after Purdue led with 49.7 percent of the vote to Ossoff’s 48 percent of the vote. Georgia’s election laws require a candidate to run a majority of votes to win a race outright, otherwise, the race goes to a runoff. The race between Purdue and Ossoff is taking place while Georgia’s other Senate seat is also headed to a runoff after a special election.
“I support a ban on the sale of semi-automatic rifles (“assault weapons”) and high-capacity magazines to the general public,” Ossoff said in his gun policy platform. However, he did not describe what capacity qualifies gun magazines to be “high-capacity.”
Explaining his position on banning semi-automatic rifles and magazines above a certain capacity, Ossoff’s platform states, “Americans who would purchase high-powered weapons derived from modern military technology should be required to demonstrate high qualification and compelling specific needs.”
A risk-based gun removal law, often referred to as “Extreme Risk Protective Orders” or more commonly as “Red Flag laws” are laws that permit police or family members of a gun owner to petition a court to remove a gun owner’s firearms if that gun owner is deemed to present a risk of harm to themselves or others, even though they have broken no laws.
“Most gun owners are responsible, qualified, and own weapons in good faith,” Ossoff added. “However, the only objective of the firearms industry lobbyists is to drive up gun sales and enrich shareholders — even at the expense of public safety and common sense.”
Ossoff said, “The shocking level of gun violence in America today makes plain the need for gun safety reforms, which will not preclude any responsible and qualified American from owning firearms for home defense, hunting, marksmanship, collection, or recreation.”
“I support universal criminal history checks for gun purchases, red flag laws,” Ossoff continued, “To protect family members and domestic partners concerned about the mental health of their loved ones, and closing the gun show loophole.”
