Dr. Coburn Supports Legislation To Protect Americans' Gun Rights

Dr. Coburn Supports Legislation To Protect Americans' Gun Rights

Urges passage of bills to stop U.N. interference, end frivolous gun lawsuits

United States Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) today called on his colleagues to pass legislation to strengthen and protect Americans' Second Amendment rights.

"Law-abiding Americans were given the right to keep and bear arms in our Constitution. As a gun owner myself, I will vigorously fight any attempt to infringe upon that guaranteed right," Dr. Coburn said.

Dr. Coburn is a co-sponsor of "The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act," S. 397, a bill designed to limit frivolous lawsuits against firearms manufacturers. The bill would prohibit civil liability actions from being brought or continued against manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers of firearms or ammunition for damages resulting from the misuse of their products.

"Any attempt to sue gun manufacturers for gun-related crimes is a stealth effort to limit gun ownership and I will oppose any such effort," Dr. Coburn said. "Those who do commit crimes, with or without the use of firearms, should be punished for their actions. However, we cannot continue to punish law-abiding businesses for the reckless and criminal actions of others."

Dr. Coburn also joined with some of his colleagues today to introduce another bill to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners. "The Second Amendment Protection Act of 2005" would eliminate any funding to the United Nations if that body adopts any policies restricting law-abiding Americans' rights to own firearms.

"Neither the United Nations nor any other world body can infringe upon our sovereignty or attempt to trample on our Constitutional rights. I will work to defeat any attempt by the U.N. to roll back the right of law-abiding Americans to protect themselves and their families," Dr. Coburn said.

The Gun Owners of America and the National Rifle Association have endorsed both bills.

http://coburn.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=News.PressReleases&month=7&year=2005&id=69