[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 49 (Friday, April 12, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H1963]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE GUN CONTROL PROPOSALS HOLD SERIOUS THREATS TO SECOND AMENDMENT
RIGHTS
(Mr. DAINES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Mr. DAINES. Mr. Speaker, today, on the other side of the Capitol, our
friends in the Senate are considering a number of proposals that hold
serious threats to our Second Amendment rights.
I agree that we need to have a serious conversation about how to
reduce violent crime. But the Senate's recent decision to focus debate
on restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens is the wrong
approach. These proposals will do nothing but expand Washington
bureaucracy and further complicate the ability of law-abiding Montanans
to purchase firearms while doing little to actually address the
underlying problems behind violent crimes.
Thousands of Montanans have reached out to my office, expressing
their concern over these threats to their Second Amendment rights. As a
fifth-generation Montanan and lifelong sportsman, I too am deeply
concerned about the Senate's proposal to expand background checks for
private sales to Montana citizens, which would criminalize the private
transfer of firearms between law-abiding Montanans.
Let me point out, the Second Amendment is not about hunting; it is
about freedom. So let me be clear. I am strongly opposed to and will
fight back against any efforts that infringe upon Montanans' Second
Amendment rights.
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