Should an individual who has committed a hate crime be prevented from purchasing guns?

Awaiting Vote
Bill Summary

This bill would prevent individuals who were previously convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes or who previously received enhanced sentences for misdemeanors because of hate or bias-related motives from purchasing guns. Sponsor: David Cicilline [D-RI-1]
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Opponents say

•      The Speaker of the House, Rep. Paul Ryan [R-WI-1], comments, “As we look at how to proceed [on gun control legislation], we… want to make sure we aren't infringing upon people's legitimate constitutional rights. That's important.
•      Robert Farago, a writer for The Truth About Guns, notes, “Haters have rights, too. Strip them of their right to keep and bear arms without proof of criminality and everyone’s rights go bye-bye.”

Proponents say

•    Senator Bob Casey [D-PA], who introduced companion legislation to this bill in the Senate, argues, “If you’ve been convicted of a crime based on hate, you should have zero access to a gun. It’s not complicated… If we care about the safety and security of our communities, it’s imperative that we put measures in place to keep guns out of the wrong hands.”
•     According to Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, “Hate crimes are multiplying at an alarming rate, with major metro areas seeing a 20 percent increase last year. Congress has a responsibility now to make sure those criminals can no longer act out on that hate.”