ATLANTA – State Representative Philip Singleton (R-Sharpsburg) today announced his plans to introduce the Second Amendment Preservation Act, which would prohibit the federal government from enacting policies or taxes that would infringe on an individual’s right to keep and bear arms.
“This legislation is absolutely necessary to defend the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section I, Paragraph 8 of the Constitution of Georgia,” said Rep. Singleton. “Due to the impending changes from a new presidential administration, I have joined legislators from several states, including Alaska, Idaho, Wyoming, Missouri and Kansas, by drafting a bill that would preempt any overreaching federal legislation aimed at attacking our Second Amendment rights that is likely to happen in the first 100 days of this new presidency.”
The Second Amendment Preservation Act would invalidate any federal acts, laws, executive orders, administrative orders, court orders, rules and regulations that could infringe on a Georgia resident’s rights under the Second Amendment. It would also invalidate any federal attempt to impose a tax, levy, fee or stamp on items, such as firearms, that could threaten a person’s rights under the Second Amendment. Furthermore, this bill would prohibit Georgia’s government from recognizing federal requirements for the registration or tracking of items, such as firearms, or their owners. Under this bill, the federal government would also be prohibited from limiting the possession, ownership, use or transfer of a firearm or order the confiscation of these items in Georgia.
Rep. Singleton’s legislation is inspired by legislation introduced in the Missouri House of Representatives, House Bill 1637. The language of Rep. Singleton’s bill will closely mirror such legislation. Rep. Singleton is currently drafting the legislation and plans to introduce the Second Amendment Preservation Act during the third week of the 2021 legislative session, which will reconvene on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021.
Representative Philip Singleton represents the citizens of District 71, which includes portions of Fayette and Coweta counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2019 and currently serves as Secretary of the State Planning & Community Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Defense & Veterans Affairs, Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications and Transportation committees.
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