[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3813]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this weekend, I had the 
honor of joining hundreds of fellow Americans at an open-carry walk in 
Brookville, Pennsylvania, which is located in the Fifth District of 
Pennsylvania. As a responsible gun owner, I was proud to join this 
peaceful gathering among citizens to reaffirm the fundamental 
significance of an individual's constitutionally protected right to 
bear arms.
  The right to own firearms has nothing to do with hunting. The Second 
Amendment was adopted as part of our Constitution to assure the safety 
and security of our Nation, our States, as well as our families, our 
homes and our personal selves.
  Many of my constituents are alarmed at the gun control proposals 
being considered in the U.S. Senate for fear they violate this sacred 
constitutional right. I share this concern.
  When it comes to violence prevention, I believe there are areas of 
policy that can be improved upon, especially in the area of mental 
health. The people of Brookville and so many others across this Nation 
want this body to come together on solutions to thwart future acts of 
mass violence, but they will not tolerate--and I will fight against--
any violation of constitutionally protected rights.

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