Staff Reports
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH) is taking a stand to protect Americans’ Second Amendment rights with a surveillance reform bill. The bill under consideration reauthorizes Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which allows intelligence agencies to collect communications of targeted foreigners, but could also lead to the surveillance of Americans’ private communications. This has privacy advocates up in arms, arguing that it circumvents the Fourth Amendment’s requirement for a warrant.
Enter the valiant members of the House Freedom Caucus, led by Reps. Warren Davidson (R-OH), Scott Perry (R-PA), Bob Good (R-VA), and Andy Biggs (R-AZ). They are demanding amendments to the bill to protect American citizens. Specifically, they are seeking to close the “data broker” loophole, which would prevent government agencies from purchasing Americans’ private information through data brokers, effectively dodging the Fourth Amendment.
Second Amendment Rights at Risk as Mike Turner Seeks to 'Narrow' Scope of Deep Spy Powers Reform https://t.co/yHcIxza9D7
— iPaul (@ppicasso01) February 14, 2024
Breitbart News reported that 30 House Republicans sent a letter urging Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) to safeguard Americans’ Second Amendment rights by closing the data broker loophole. These lawmakers fear that the loophole could potentially allow for the purchase of lists identifying gun owners, putting law-abiding citizens and their constitutional rights at risk.
The Gun Owners of America and the National Association for Gun Rights are rallying behind Davidson’s “Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act” to protect Americans’ Second Amendment rights. However, it seems that Chairman Turner’s reform bill does not address the data broker loophole or require a warrant for searches under Section 702, despite acknowledging the need for reforms beyond 702.
Marc Zwilling, a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court advisor, warns that the bill sponsored by Turner’s Intelligence Committee could significantly expand the government’s surveillance authority under FISA 702. This expansion of scope could involve various businesses and even personal dwellings, raising concerns about privacy and constitutional rights.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) has criticized the bill, likening it to a “PATRIOT Act 2.0,” in reference to the post-9/11 law that expanded government surveillance powers. The concerns are mounting as Rep. Davidson has raised the possibility of the rule allowing a vote on the bill being in jeopardy if amendments aren’t permitted.
In the midst of this political showdown, the fate of Americans’ Second Amendment rights hangs in the balance. Will Chairman Turner and his allies succeed in narrowing the scope of surveillance reform to protect the freedoms of law-abiding citizens? Stay tuned for more updates on this gripping political battle!
