Understanding the Real Impact of Proposed Gun Control Measures

In yet another move that targets law-abiding citizens while doing little to address the root causes of violent crime, South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn is once again pushing his perennial gun control proposal in Congress. Clyburn’s effort to “close the loophole” that allowed the Charleston church shooter to purchase a firearm in 2015 is being touted as a necessary fix. However, the reality is far more complex — and far more dangerous for our constitutional rights.

The Dylann Roof Case: A Tragedy Misused

The tragic events at Emanuel AME Church should never have occurred, and justice was rightly served when the shooter, Dylann Roof, was sentenced to death. However, using this tragedy to push for sweeping legislative changes that only impact law-abiding gun owners is misguided at best and politically motivated at worst.

The crux of Clyburn’s proposal, known as the “Enhanced Background Checks Act,” seeks to extend the period that the FBI has to process background checks from three days to ten. Ostensibly, this would prevent prohibited persons from obtaining firearms during delayed background checks. But let’s be honest: this is just another step toward bureaucratic overreach and a veiled attempt to erode Second Amendment rights.

What the Left Won’t Tell You

Proponents of the bill argue that this so-called “Charleston loophole” is a fatal flaw in the current background check system. However, what they conveniently leave out is that:

• The FBI had sufficient information to deny Roof’s background check but failed to access it in time due to bureaucratic errors.
• Extending the background check window does not correct the internal failures of the FBI or enhance the efficiency of the system—it only delays the rights of citizens.
• These delays disproportionately affect law-abiding citizens, especially first-time gun owners eager to protect themselves and their families.

In essence, what Clyburn and his allies are proposing is a solution in search of a problem—a gun control measure that doesn’t address the actual breakdown in protocol that led to a heinous act.

Another Attack on the Second Amendment

Let’s be clear: every time a tragedy occurs, there is a predictable chorus from the left demanding more restrictions on firearms. Instead of examining the failures of existing enforcement or exploring how to improve mental health interventions, they zero in on more laws, more red tape, and more ways to limit your rights.

The Enhanced Background Checks Act does not fix systemic government inefficiencies. It penalizes the everyday American who exercises their God-given right to self-defense. And make no mistake—this is part of a larger strategy by anti-gun members of Congress to make firearm ownership so cumbersome, so delayed, and so bureaucratically strangled that many will simply give up.

Fortress Firearms Training: Empowering South Carolinians with Knowledge and Skills

At Fortress Firearms Training, we believe in the responsible exercise of the Second Amendment. Our mission is to equip South Carolinians with the training, education, and confidence needed to safely and competently own and use firearms. Restrictions like those being pushed by Congressman Clyburn hurt the very people we serve—good, law-abiding citizens who want to protect their homes, their families, and their freedoms.

Rather than pushing ineffective legislation, real solutions should include:

• Improving the accuracy and efficiency of background check databases so agencies can make timely, lawful decisions.
• Expanding firearm safety and responsibility training programs, like those we offer here in Fountain Inn.
• Focusing resources on mental health services and threat assessment programs that can identify high-risk individuals before it’s too late.

Don’t Be Fooled by Feel-Good Legislation

Proposals like the Enhanced Background Checks Act may sound reasonable on the surface, but they often come with unintended consequences. Lawmakers like Rep. Clyburn present these bills as common-sense reforms, when in reality they are incremental restrictions designed to chip away at the foundation of our freedom.

Let’s not forget: the federal government already has significant tools at its disposal for preventing illegal gun sales. What it lacks is accountability and effectiveness in using these tools. Instead of addressing these failures head-on, legislation like this shifts the burden to the backs of American citizens—even when those citizens have done nothing wrong.

South Carolina Deserves Better

Here in South Carolina, we value independence, self-reliance, and our right to bear arms. We don’t need empty victories for political showboating in Washington. We need representatives who will protect our rights, not chip away at them every time there’s a news headline.

Fortress Firearms Training strongly encourages all citizens to stay informed about proposed legislation and to engage with local, state, and national leaders. The preservation of our Second Amendment rights depends on our collective vigilance and willingness to push back against misguided policies.

Ready to Take Your Firearms Knowledge to the Next Level?

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced owner looking to sharpen your skills, Fortress Firearms Training in Fountain Inn, SC offers professional instruction tailored to your needs. Together, we can promote responsible gun ownership while standing firm against needless government interference.

Contact us today to learn more about our training programs and how you can become a better-prepared, more informed gun owner—one who fully exercises the rights protected by our Constitution.

Don’t let lawmakers determine your freedoms. Let’s stand together and preserve the liberties that our Founding Fathers fought to ensure.