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August 23, 2023
NSSF PROFILE Q&A: U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.)
Editor’s Note: We are pleased to post the latest of our occasional Q&A features with an elected official who supports hunting and the shooting sports. NSSF thanks U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) for agreeing to talk with us. Rep. Duncan is serving in his twelfth term representing South Carolina’s Third Congressional District. Congressman Duncan serves in the U.S. House of Representatives on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, as well as serves as a member of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus.
1) Who introduced you to hunting and the shooting sports?
Like many hunters, my dad introduced me to hunting and fishing. When I was little, we would wake up early and drive our Volkswagen Beetle to the woods and hope that monster buck would show up. I’m proud to pass down the outdoor lifestyle to my sons – teaching them about animals, conservation and the outdoors.
2) Describe your most recent hunting or shooting sports activity.
In April, I was able to attend the bipartisan Congressional Clays Competition hosted by the Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation (CSF). Not to brag, but I did win the Top Sporting Clays Individual Category this year.
3) Describe your favorite hunting or shooting sports activity.
Like every hunter, I’m ready to be back in the woods for deer season, but my favorite time of the year is spent sitting in a duck blind. It’s always great to hunt ducks and deer in my home state of South Carolina, but I’ve also been on great hunts in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas.
4) Which piece of pending legislation related to the hunting, conservation or the firearm industry is particularly important to you and why?
This Congress, I introduced H.R. 152, “The Hearing Protection Act,” to ensure sportsmen no longer must sacrifice their hearing to do what they love. Like countless hunters, I too suffer from hearing loss after years of hunting. It’s time to throw out the unnecessary burdens in place to own a firearm suppressor.
I also introduced H.R. 151, “The NFA SBS Act,” to stop the hysteria around short-barreled shotguns. This draconian regulation serves one purpose: to infringe on our Second Amendment protected right to bear arms. It’s time we strip power from the gun-grabbing ATF.
In July, I led a letter along with 39 of my colleagues to the DOT and ATF to provide oversight of President Biden’s March 14 executive order that included a provision calling upon the DOT and ATF to engage with carriers and shippers like UPS and FedEx. The ability to ship firearms in commerce is integral to our right to bear arms. Joe Biden has shown he is willing to go above and beyond the rule of law to impose his gun control agenda and attack the firearms industry. This letter provides Congressional oversight to ensure that DOT and ATF do not overstep their authority.
5) What do you see as the challenges and opportunities for hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts?
In the United Kingdom, we have just seen Nigel Farage de-banked because the financial institution didn’t agree with his political views. Conservatives have been raising the alarm about these types of actions for decades. I wish I could say this is not the biggest challenge facing gun owners, but it’s clear the Left is no longer hiding its attempts to silence those who believe differently. A few months ago, we saw credit card companies agree to pause their Merchant Category Code program that would track firearm and ammunition purchases – essentially creating a list of targets for institutions to potentially de-bank. This is only a temporary victory. We must remain vigilant and ensure these types of merchant codes cannot be generated. Today, they try and classify your firearms purchases. Tomorrow, it will be your tithes at church or donations to non-profits that promote conservative viewpoints.
We have seen some favorable court decisions recently like New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen which upheld the right to keep and bear arms outside of the home. However, these successes give liberal states another chance to circumvent court rulings and continue their infringement on our rights. We must be proactive in ensuring the left does not continue to erode our liberties and Constitutional rights.
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