[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 23, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              GUN CONTROL

  (Mr. YARMUTH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, after the massacre of 20 children and six 
educators in Connecticut, we've heard the predictable rantings of 
people who are convinced beyond all reason and evidence that the 
Federal Government intends to take their guns away.
  I am sad that they have succumbed to the fear-mongering of the 
National Rifle Association and others who really only want to sell more 
guns. It's more than sad. Frankly, it's dangerous when a government 
leader stoops to the same fear-mongering for political purposes.
  Last week, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's campaign sent out 
an email titled, ``Watch out. They're Coming for Your Guns.'' Among the 
email's dishonest claims was this blatant distortion:

       President Obama is spelling out the 23 different executive 
     orders he will take to get your guns.

  Those 23 executive actions are so modest that even gun rights 
activists have said they have no problem with them. In fact, many of 
them reflect proposals made by the NRA.
  Even if we give Senator McConnell the benefit of the doubt as to 
whether he actually knew what his campaign manager was putting out, he 
is responsible, as we all are, for what our employees do in our name. I 
call on Senator McConnell to apologize to his supporters, some of whom 
are my constituents, for stoking totally irrational and unjustifiable 
fear.

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