The Disarm Hate Act, a piece of legislation introduced to Congress by Rep. Brian Higgins, may have a tough climb to becoming law, according to political strategist Jack O’Donnell.

The bill aims to prevent individuals convicted of violent misdemeanor hate crimes from purchasing or possessing firearms.

What You Need To Know

  • The Disarm Hate Act aims to ban violent hate crime offenders from owning guns
  • The bill was introduced by Rep. Brian Higgins and a number of other legislators
  • Political analysts said it has a long road ahead before possibly becoming a law

Those who have been convicted of a misdemeanor-level hate crime or received an enhanced sentence for a misdemeanor crime after a judicial finding that they acted with hate or bias motivation would be prohibited from buying or having guns.

“We're facing a government shutdown at the end of the month, so any real legislating is out the window. Add in the fact that this is about gun safety,” O’Donnell said. “It's going to be really hard to see any progress on this in the near future.”

However, local civic leaders like Mark Blue, NAACP Buffalo Chapter president, said there is a sense of urgency when it comes to passing gun violence legislation.

“Hate is something that is learned. It can be unlearned. So we need to stop those vehicles that are spewing this type of hate,” said Blue. “We know that everyone has a right to bear arms. That's in our Constitution. But everyone doesn't have a right to kill other individuals. So we need to limit that access and do more for the background checks.”

The bill is cosponsored by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), and Representatives Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), James Clyburn (SC-06), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), John Garamendi (CA-08), Katie Porter (CA-08), Nikema Williams (GA-06), and Summer Lee (PA-12).