Two years ago, a New York Republican was endorsed by The National Rife Association. Friday's announcement said that he will not seek re-election. He stated that his support for gun control has effectively ended any chance of him winning the GOP primary.
Rep. Chris Jacobs, a member of the Republican Party, publicly disregarded his party's position last week by stating that he would support an assault weapons ban bill if it was brought to the House floor for a voting. He said on Friday that his new stance had cost him his political career with the Republican Party.
Jacobs stated, "If you stray away from a party line, you will be annihilated." "It became quite obvious to me that gun control is the issue for Republicans over the past week.
Jacobs announced that he was withdrawing from the Aug. 23 primary just one week after he stated that he had changed his position on gun controls in the wake mass shootings at a Buffalo supermarket and Uvalde elementary schools in Texas.
Friday's shootings taught him that armed weapons such as an AR-15 can be used to "kill machines" in a small number of cases.
Jacobs, whose congressional district covers Buffalo suburbs, stated that he will support the legislative gun package, which was presented by the House Judiciary Committee Thursday. It will be up for a vote on the floor next week.
Jacobs stated, "I don't believe individuals need magazines that hold 50 or 60 rounds or more." If we are unable to ban assault weapons, then capacity limits should be kept at a minimum.
Jacobs stated that the legislative package includes an increase in the purchase age for semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21 years. Jacobs called this "perfectly reasonable."
Jacobs, who described his district in rural America as a place where shooting clubs and guns are an integral part, was met with immediate opposition by Republicans after he announced his new position.
Donald Trump Jr. claimed he was a complicit in "gun-grabbers" while others called him a RINO, an acronym for Republican In No Name Only.
Jacobs stated Friday that the requirement for 100 percent loyalty or else was not good for democracy and is certainly one reason Washington, D.C. doesn't get much done.
