Issue Position: Gun Ownership and Second Amendment Rights

Issue Position

The Second Amendment to the Constitution reads: "A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." I firmly believe this provision prohibits the federal government from denying citizens this right.

In order to protect Second Amendment rights, I am supporting a number of initiatives that not only defend gun-ownership in the United States, but serve to either eliminate some of the most onerous existing limitations on gun-ownership or prevent additional limitations from being realized.

Among the many pro-gun initiatives in which I am participating are the following:

* I oppose reauthorization of the so-called "assault weapons" ban which expires in September of this year and will vote against it if or when it is considered by the House of Representatives. Semi-automatic rifles, including many defined as "assault weapons" by the 1994 federal gun ban are, by and large, used for lawful activities like marksmanship competitions, hunting, and target shooting. Very rarely is a weapon covered by the ban used for illegal activities. In fact, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California), the principal author of the bill in the U.S. Senate, admitted during an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune (1-30-94) that the number of crimes committed with a rifle is "probably less than 3%." Furthermore, in a piece aired by CBS's Sixty Minutes (2-5-95) she stated that the legislation was essentially a step towards a complete and total ban on the ownership of firearms by the general citizenry of the United States.

* I am working with Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) to protect manufacturers and sellers in the firearms and ammunition industry from restrictions on interstate or foreign commerce. H.R. 1036 - the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act - also provides protection to manufacturers and sellers in the firearms and ammunition industry who act legally from being harassed by junk lawsuits aimed at crippling the industry. This important legislation passed through the House of Representatives last April by a vote of 285-140 - I was proud to vote in favor of its passage and it is now awaiting action in the Senate.

* I am working with Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) in support of H.R. 3125 -- The Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2003. H.R. 3125 would deny any U.S. funding to the United Nations that may be used in conjunction with efforts to promote any measures advocating the taxation of firearms or otherwise infringe on Second Amendment rights.

* I am working with a number of my pro-gun colleagues in the House and Senate to oppose S. 969 - the Homeland Security Gun Safety Act, introduced in the Senate by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). S. 969 would amend the Brady Act by imposing new restrictions on gun-ownership. Senator Lautenberg and the other supporters of this legislation are longtime opponents of Second Amendment rights and have continued their crusade against gun ownership through this misguided legislation.

* I am working with Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC) in support of H.R. 648 - the Citizens' Self-Defense Act. The Citizens Self-Defense Act provides persons not excluded under the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act the right to obtain a firearm for self-defense. This legislation strengthens the right to obtain firearms for security, and to use firearms in defense of self, family, or home. There have been a number of recent lawsuits filed by various municipalities against firearm manufacturers, claiming the gunmakers are responsible for criminal acts involving firearms. These suits threaten the Second Amendment and establish grounds for lawsuits against manufacturers of other non-defective products, thus threatening every manufacturing industry in America. I believe these lawsuits are being used by anti-gun groups to change tort law and promote firearm restrictions that are not approved by Congress. H.R. 648 will prevent these suits from being filed in state and federal court. I strongly support H.R. 648 and will continue working with Representative Wilson to bring it to the floor for a vote and secure its passage.

In closing, I will not support any legislation that requires a waiting period for the purchase of a firearm, bans the ownership of firearms, or promotes or requires the rationing or taxation of firearms or ammunition. Contrary to the claims of gun control advocates, gun ownership is not the source of our gun-related crime problem. Illegal firearms trafficking and our "revolving door" justice system are significant contributing factors. I will continue to support legislation reforming our justice system and imposing stiff sentences on criminals who use a gun while committing a crime. Individuals must understand that criminal behavior will not be tolerated, and will be met with grave penalties.

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