[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 17, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H3476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I come this afternoon to the House 
of Representatives to bring a message from Kansans and those who 
support the Second Amendment.
  The United States Supreme Court ruled last year that the Second 
Amendment guarantees an individual's right to own firearms and that 
Washington DC's gun ban is unconstitutional. This decision was a win 
for all Americans and sent a message to governments across the country 
in support of Second Amendment freedoms.
  Unfortunately in recent weeks we have heard from administration 
officials and gun control advocates that they are pushing to restrict 
an individual's gun rights, the rights guaranteed by our Constitution. 
Discussing escalating violence caused by drug cartels in Mexico, U.S. 
Attorney General Eric Holder last month called for reinstating the so-
called assault weapons ban.
  This is the wrong approach. Instead of punishing law-abiding American 
gun owners, our citizens, our country should be working to enforce 
existing gun laws that outlaw illegal purchases. We should secure our 
borders, and we should work to increase the cooperation between the 
United States and Mexican authorities.
  Many Kansans are also concerned about H.R. 45, legislation that has 
been proposed to license gun owners and track firearms sales. I am 
hopeful that this bill does not have the support to be approved by this 
Congress.
  An article in today's Wichita Eagle, our newspaper at home, 
highlights an ironic twist. The article reports that news of gun 
control efforts, along with concerns that crime will increase with a 
troubled economy, has ramped up the demand for firearms and 
ammunitions. Shortages are now common as retail stores are having 
trouble keeping guns and ammunition on the shelves.
  I want to restate that our Founding Fathers established a Bill of 
Rights to our Constitution to make sure that American citizens can live 
in freedom without government intrusion. Human liberty and limited 
government are principles I hold in high regard.
  I stand with Kansans in opposing efforts that violate the Second 
Amendment, and I will continue to cast my votes where it's necessary to 
protect our rights, including those provided for by the Second 
Amendment.

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