Republican attorneys general from across the United States have united to condemn their Democrat counterparts’ attempts to shut down a major ammunition factory in Missouri. In an exclusive letter obtained by Digital, all 28 GOP attorneys general called on President Biden and the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to disregard their Democrat colleagues’ request to halt commercial sales from the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. The plant, one of the largest ammo manufacturers in the country, has been accused of selling “military-grade rounds” connected to mass shootings, but the Republicans argue that the Democrats’ claims are riddled with errors.
The GOP attorneys general argue that the ammunition manufactured at Lake City and sold commercially is not the primary rifle cartridge used by the United States military, debunking the Democrats’ assertion that it does not belong in communities. They also point out that the United States military’s use of a particular type of ammunition does not automatically warrant its ban for public use. They further emphasize that if civilian access to ammunition were restricted based on military use, other widely available ammunition, such as 9mm and 12-gauge shotshells, would also be prohibited.
According to the Republican attorneys general, Lake City only sells ammunition that is legal to manufacture and complies with all the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ requirements. They argue that the Democrats’ efforts to shut down the factory would undermine national security. The defense department relies on commercial production to ensure a readily available supply of ammunition in the event of a conflict. Halting commercial use of Lake City would result in a significant loss of jobs and negatively impact the local economy.
The Republican attorneys general accuse gun control advocates of attempting to criminalize ammunition manufacturing while neglecting the prosecution of criminals who use firearms. They argue that perpetrators of gun violence should be punished, not firearm and ammunition manufacturers. Their defense of the ammunition factory is grounded in their belief that law-abiding citizens should have the liberty to defend themselves, especially in the face of a border crisis and the influx of illegal weapons.
Montana Attorney General Austen Knudsen criticized the New York Times’ investigation, which prompted the Democrats’ efforts to shut down the ammunition plant, calling it “highly questionable.” Other attorneys general echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need to enforce existing laws to combat violent criminals rather than targeting legal ammunition manufacturers.
In conclusion, Republican attorneys general across the United States are pushing back against their Democrat counterparts’ attempts to close down the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. They argue that the Democrats’ claims about the ammunition’s connection to mass shootings are erroneous and that shutting down the factory would have detrimental effects on national security, jobs, and the economy. They assert that the focus should be on prosecuting criminals, not punishing law-abiding citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights.
