Sen. Mike Lee has introduced his SAVE Act because he is concerned with non-citizens voting. The data shows his concerns are unfounded (American Immigration Council, “Unpacking Myths About Noncitizen Voting”). But that has not stopped the senator and others from proposing what amounts to a poll tax, as many people who lack proof of citizenship also lack the means to pay for the documentation required by the proposed SAVE Act.
At the same time, U.S. Customs and Border Protection data shows thousands of convictions for illegal weapons possession, transport, or trafficking among criminal non-citizens. As such, here is my compromise:
- Any and all supporting documentation that one may be required to prove their citizenship must be free. Need a birth certificate? Free. Need a Real ID? Free. Need any other documents? Free.
- Any person buying a firearm must present proof of citizenship.
What do you say, Senator? Seems perfectly reasonable that to prevent non-citizens from owning firearms and voting, one should require those owning firearms and voting to prove their citizenship.
Allen Sanderson
Salt Lake City