‘That Is Not My Question’: Trey Gowdy Absolutely Grills DHS Official on Second Amendment, Due Process

Last December, Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) pressed a Department of Homeland Security official about about the idea that American citizens on the terrorist watchlist should be denied the right to own a gun. In light of the recent terrorist attack in Orlando, Gowdy re-posted the video of his back-and-forth with DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary, Kelli Ann Burriesci, to his personal Facebook page.

To combat the common liberal call for gun control that follows terror attacks, Gowdy reminded a confused Burriesci that the right of every U.S. citizen to own a firearm is is affirmed in the Constitution, and that there's a certain "process" that takes place before that right is stripped.

DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary, Kelli Ann Burriesci (Image via Facebook)

“What process is currently afforded an American citizen before they go on that list?” Gowdy said.

Burriesci denied that such a process exists. She casually added, however, that those who “feel that they are unduly placed on that list” can just “petition the government” to be removed.

“Yes, there is,” Gowdy contended. “When I say ‘process,’ I’m actually using half of the term ‘due process,’ which is a phrase we find in the Constitution.”

“Can you name another constitutional right that is chilled until you find out it is chilled, and then you have to petition the government to get it back?” he continued.

“Sir, there are strict criteria before anybody … “ Burriesci began.

“That is not my question,” Gowdy interjected. “My question is what process is afforded a United States citizen before that person’s constitutional right is infringed?”

He then asked if there is another Constitutional right that receives the same treatment commonly used to deny citizens their Second Amendment rights.

“Can you think of one?”

“I don’t have an answer for you sir,” Burriesci said.