[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 118 (Friday, August 19, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         RESOLUTION NO. 23 FROM THE AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT

                                 ______


                          HON. TED STRICKLAND

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 19, 1994

  Mr. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to share with you 
Resolution No. 23 from the American Legion Department of Ohio, Eighth 
District, which reaffirms their support for second amendment rights.

       Whereas, we Veterans of the Armed Forces of the United 
     States have faithfully served our nation; and
       Whereas, we believe that law-abiding citizens of the United 
     States have an inalienable right to keep and bear arms; and
       Whereas, we oppose unfair taxation, restrictive laws and 
     other measures designed to circumvent our Second Amendment 
     rights; Now, Therefore, Be It
       Resolved, by The American Legion, Department of Ohio in 
     Convention assembled in Cleveland, Ohio, July 8-10, 1994, 
     that we do hereby reaffirm our support for the Second 
     Amendment of the United States Constitution, and demand 
     current laws be rigorously enforced so as to protect us and 
     our loved ones from the criminal elements of our society, and 
     stand firmly against current efforts to disarm law-abiding 
     citizens.

  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to share with you another resolution 
from the American Legion Department of Ohio, Eighth District. This 
resolution, Resolution No. 2, is in regard to their sentiment on the 
preservation of the second amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

       Whereas, the second amendment to the Constitution of the 
     United States guarantees each law abiding American citizen 
     the right to keep and bear arms of his or her choice; and
       Whereas, It is estimated that over 60 million individuals, 
     representing over half of the households in America, have 
     chosen to exercise that right with one or more arms; and
       Whereas, it is estimated there is over a 200 year supply of 
     guns and that handguns are used over one half million times 
     and firearms over 1 million times each year by law abiding 
     citizens; and
       Whereas, the 1934 Act of Congress to require the 
     registration of automatic weapons directed at the ``Tommy 
     Gun'' has had little or no effect on the purchase and use of 
     Uzi's, AK 47's and similar arms by criminals; and
       Whereas, the registration of guns and waiting requirements 
     to purchase guns has had no effect in large urban areas such 
     as New York City, California and Washington D.C. and has not 
     prevented criminals from obtaining weapons and committing 
     crimes; and
       Whereas, although the American Legion deplores the use of 
     arms in illegal activities, efforts to control arms is 
     reminiscent of Amendment 18 to the Constitution of the United 
     States of America, when governmental efforts to prevent 
     citizens from the natural pursuit of their freedom required 
     the passage of Amendment 21 repealing this misguided effort; 
     and
       Whereas, the restriction of law abiding citizens from the 
     purchase of arms will create an illegal supply of said arms 
     and further governmental costs to enforce any restriction or 
     registration; Now, Therefore Be It
       Resolved, by the American Legion, Department of Ohio, in 
     Convention assembled in Cleveland, Ohio, July 8-10, 1994, 
     that The American Legion reaffirms its recognition that the 
     Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States 
     guarantees each law abiding American citizen the right to 
     keep and bear arms; And, Be It Further
       Resolved, that The American Legion recommend the rejection 
     of further restrictive firearms laws that only serve to limit 
     law abiding citizens in the exercise of their 
     Constitutionally guaranteed rights under both the Second and 
     Ninth Amendments, while having no effect on the activities of 
     the criminal elements in our society, and ask our duly 
     reelected members of the Congress of the United States of 
     America to seek out the reason for this illegal activity and 
     provide appropriate legislation to eliminate the cause; And, 
     Be It Further
       Resolved, that the membership of The American Legion urge 
     our nation's lawmakers recognize, as part of their oaths of 
     office, the Second Amendment that guarantees a law abiding 
     citizen in the right to keep and bear the arms of their 
     choice, as do the millions of American veterans who have 
     fought, and continue to fight, to preserve those rights, 
     hereby advise the Congress of the United States and the 
     Executive Department to cease and desist any and all efforts 
     to restrict these rights by any legislation or order.

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