[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 102 (Friday, July 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1619]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           DISASTER RECOVERY PERSONAL PROTECTION ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALAN B. MOLLOHAN

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 25, 2006

  Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5013, the 
Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act of 2006. I was pleased to 
vote in favor of this bill, which passed the House by a vote of 322-99.
  During Hurricane Katrina, hundreds of citizens had their guns 
confiscated, depriving them of their Second Amendment right to bear 
arms when they needed it most. H.R. 5013 ensures that this type of 
confiscation can never happen again. The legislation prohibits the 
confiscation of legally owned weapons during national emergencies or 
presidential declared disasters, unless other Federal or State law 
permits the confiscation. This law applies to Federal officers and 
employees, including uniformed services, who receive Federal funds, are 
under the control of the Federal Government, or provide services to 
such personnel in support of relief efforts.
  Additionally, the bill prevents the temporary or permanent seizures 
of firearms, or the authorization of such seizures; prevents requiring 
the registration of firearms, if registration is not required by 
Federal or State law; prevents prohibiting the possession of a firearm, 
or issuing regulations or orders prohibiting the possession of a 
firearm if the possession is permitted under law; and prevents 
prohibiting the carrying of firearms by a person who is otherwise 
authorized to do so under State or Federal laws solely because that 
person is operating under the direction, control, or supervision of a 
Federal agency.
  I have been a proud defender of our second amendment right throughout 
my tenure in Congress. This vote preserves and protects this 
Constitutional right during times of extreme disasters and emergencies, 
when the need for law-abiding citizens to exercise their basic right to 
defend themselves and their families is the greatest. I am pleased to 
have stood up for those rights by casting my vote in favor of H.R. 
5013, the Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act.

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