Gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake struck a defiant tone Wednesday after 14 Senate Republicans crossed party lines and voted with Democrats on a gun control bill.
“Arizona is a Second Amendment sanctuary state, and Kari Lake will ensure it stays that way. Republicans in Washington repeatedly fail to understand that, on every single issue, any deal we make with Democrats is just the first step on a slippery slope,” a spokesman for Lake’s campaign told The Arizona Sun Times. “They don’t make deals, they just take whatever ground Republicans are willing to cede and then keep marching forward with their leftist agenda.”
Lake sent a viral tweet Tuesday night, just after the agreement was struck in the U.S. Senate, echoing the same sentiment.
“When I’m Governor, Arizona will not recognize unconstitutional Gun Laws in our state,” she said. “We just won’t do it. What are the Feds going to do? Fly down here and arrest a sitting Governor? Call my bluff.”
When I’m Governor, Arizona will not recognize unconstitutional Gun Laws in our state. We just won’t do it.
What are the Feds going to do? Fly down here and arrest a sitting Governor? Call my bluff.
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) June 22, 2022
The bill, which has not yet been numbered, was introduced by Senator Kyrsten Sinema.
It provides for increased background checks on gun buyers who are under the age of 21, gives grants to states to help them implement “red flag” legislation, and funds mental health services in schools.
It also requires more gun sellers to register as federally licensed firearm dealers.
Tucked away in the 80-page bill is a measure that provides an extra $100 million to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for “salaries and expenses.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the bill will “move to final passage as soon as possible” in the U.S. Senate. The bill will then head to the U.S. House.
“After the Senate passes this bill, the House will swiftly bring it to the floor so that we can send it to President Biden’s desk,” Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12) said.
Biden is expected to sign the bill into law.
The Senate Republicans made the compromise with their Democrat counterparts after mounting public pressure stemming from a shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, that left 21 people dead.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Kari Lake” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0. Background Photo “Arizona Capitol” by JoeAuH2O. CC BY-SA 3.0.
