Issue Position: Sportsmen's Rights

Issue Position

Hunting and fishing are a vital part of our nation's heritage. Each year, thousands of young men and women take to the woods and streams for the first time. Congressman Altmire is committed to ensuring that this tradition continues. Since coming to Congress, he has been an outspoken activist for more than 1.4 million hunters and anglers in Pennsylvania. Furthermore, as a proud supporter of the Second Amendment, he has fought vigorously to protect an individual's right to own a firearm.

Preserving Sportsmen's Access to Public Lands

When Congress debated a massive public lands bill that opened the door to restrictions on hunting activities, Congressman Altmire took action to protect sportsmen's rights. He inserted the "Altmire Amendment" in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (H.R. 146) and succeeded in protecting sportsmen's right to hunt, fish and trap on millions of acres of public land. For more information, see: [Altmire Succeeds in Protecting Sportsmen's Rights on Public Lands].

Protecting Americans' Second Amendment Rights

Congressman Altmire has consistently opposed attempts to restrict our Second Amendment rights. He signed two Friend of the Court briefs supporting an individual's right to bear arms in the Supreme Court cases McDonald v. City of Chicago and District of Columbia v. Heller. The Supreme Court's ruling in each of these cases sided with Congressman Altmire's position and affirmed Americans' Second Amendment rights. When the District of Columbia once again tried to restrict its citizens' constitutional rights, Congressman Altmire helped to introduce the Second Amendment Enforcement Act (H.R. 6691) to overturn the City Council's actions. The Second Amendment Enforcement Act was passed the House on September 17, 2008 by a vote of 260 to 160. For more information, see: [Altmire Leads Effort to Protect Gun Owners' Rights].

National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act

Congressman Altmire believes that law-abiding citizens who are licensed to carry concealed weapons in their home state should be able to do so nationwide. Therefore, he has cosponsored the National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act, legislation that would allow citizens to carry firearms nationwide with a state permit.

Supporting Legislation Upholding Americans' Right to Bear Arms

Congressman Altmire has cosponsored many pieces of legislation that will benefit Pennsylvania sportsmen and safeguard Americans' Second Amendment rights. The Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act (H.R. 442) would allow veterans to register firearms acquired during wartime. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Modernization Act (H.R. 2296) would make the rules for licensed firearms dealers simpler and fairer to law-abiding citizens. The Fairness in Firearm Testing Act (H.R. 1923) would prevent unfair firearm testing by the ATF. Congressman Altmire is committed to moving each of these bills through Congress and seeing them signed into law.

Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus

Congressman Altmire is an active member of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. This Caucus was formed to advance and protect the rights of our nation's hunters and fishermen. Over the years, it has provided Members of Congress with a valuable opportunity to meet and discuss issues affecting our nation's sportsmen.

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