[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E57]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE SECOND AMENDMENT PROTECTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 8, 2003

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to restore the right the founding 
fathers saw as ``the guarantee of every other right'' by introducing 
the Second Amendment Protection Act. This legislation reverses the 
steady erosion of the right to keep and bear arms by repealing 
unconstitutional laws which allow power-hungry federal bureaucrats to 
restrict the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
  Specifically, my legislation repeals the five-day waiting period and 
the ``instant'' background check, which enable the Federal Government 
to compile a database of every gun owner in America. My legislation 
also repeals the misnamed ban on ``semi-automatic'' weapons which bans 
entire class of firearms for no conceivable reason beside the desire of 
demagogic politicians to appear ``tough on crime.'' Finally, my bill 
amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 by deleting the sporting purposes'' 
test, which allows the Treasury Secretary to infringe on second 
amendment rights by classifying a firearm (handgun, rifle, shotgun) as 
a ``destructive device'' simply because the Secretary believes the gun 
to be ``non-sporting.''
  Thomas Jefferson said ``The constitutions of most of our States 
assert that all power is inherent in the people; . . . that it is their 
right and duty to be at all times armed.'' Jefferson, and all of the 
Founders, would be horrified by the proliferation of unconstitutional 
legislation which prevent law-abiding Americans from exercising their 
``right and duty,'' to keep and bear arms. I hope my colleagues will 
join me in upholding the Founders' vision a free society by 
cosponsoring the Second Amendment Restoration Act.

                          ____________________