[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1537]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           DISASTER RECOVERY PERSONAL PROTECTION ACT OF 2006

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                               speech of

                           HON. RICK BOUCHER

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2006

  Mr. BOUCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5013, the 
Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act. This legislation would 
ensure that gun owners' second amendment rights are not compromised in 
times of natural disaster. I am pleased to lend my strong support to 
this measure as it is considered today.
  The Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act addresses a problem 
brought to light in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In the wake of 
Hurricane Katrina and the resulting flood, federal and local law 
enforcement officials confiscated the firearms of numerous law-abiding 
individuals. Those actions were entirely unjustified. This injustice 
must not be repeated elsewhere.
  By prohibiting federal, state, or local law enforcement officers from 
seizing legally-owned firearms which have in no manner been misused 
during national emergencies, this legislation would prevent a repeat of 
the abuse of emergency powers that followed Hurricane Katrina.
  The government should never confiscate legally-purchased and properly 
used firearms from law-abiding citizens. Whether natural disasters 
occur or not does nothing to alter this reality: lawful gun owners have 
the unalienable right to possess and transport their firearms.
  H.R. 5013 would not restrict the ability of law enforcement officials 
to confiscate stolen firearms or to act when firearms are used in an 
unlawful manner.
  In the aftermath of the hurricane, the absence of an established 
policing force allowed criminals to loot business and threaten rescue 
workers and residents of the city. Many individuals looted gun stores 
and other places of business which sell firearms. As with any stolen 
property, these stolen firearms should be confiscated, and the 
individuals who stole them and misused them for crimes should be 
punished.
  Law enforcement officials, however, seized thousands of firearms from 
law-abiding citizens. During the lawlessness and disorder of the 
disaster, the law-abiding citizens of the region needed to be able to 
arm themselves and defend their families and property against 
criminals. The seizing of these individuals' firearms left them 
defenseless in the chaos following the hurricane. This legislation 
protects the second amendment rights of citizens when that right to 
self-defense is needed most.
  The Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act is a common sense 
measure to prevent the confiscation of firearms from citizens who have 
committed no crime, and I strongly urge my colleagues to approve it.

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