Posted: 2/9/2004 8:00:20 AM EDT
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Dear Mr. Avenger15: Thank you for contacting me to express your opinion regarding the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with me on this matter. The Second Amendment of the Constitution reads, "[a] well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." I believe this provision should be read as a prohibition against the federal government denying citizens the right to bear arms. I am a strong and consistent supporter of the Second Amendment and I firmly believe that our Second Amendment rights must be preserved and protected. In a few, limited circumstances, I believe that commonsense considerations are overriding, such as banning possession of semiautomatic weapons by juveniles or felons. Rest assured that I will not support federal laws that unnecessarily restrict the Constitutional rights of law-abiding United States citizens to keep and bear arms. Many citizens choose to own a firearm for a variety of reasons: for sport, for hunting, for collecting, or for protection. Any or all of these are good reasons. More importantly, though, the Constitution guarantees that the citizens of the United States have this freedom to keep and bear arms. You can be sure that I will not compromise or support legislation that erodes this freedom. As a strong guardian of the Second Amendment, I believe the problem with gun violence in this country stems not from the lawful gun owners but, rather, from those individuals who choose to commit illegal acts. Guns are simply one of the tools at their disposal. For this reason, you may be interested to know that I have authored Project Exile: the Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act of 2003 (H.R. 54). This bill will establish a grant program that provides incentives for States to enact mandatory minimum sentences for certain firearm offenses. Project Exile's message is clear, concise, and unequivocal: use of an illegal gun during the commission of a crime gets you at least five years in prison. This legislation will ensure that justice is swift and appropriate. It is currently pending before the House Committee on the Judiciary. Again, I want to thank you for taking the time to contact me. Rest assured that I will continue to keep your views in mind as Congress meets over the coming months. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any further assistance on this or any other matter. Sincerely, ANDER CRENSHAW Member of Congress |
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In a few, limited circumstances, I believe that commonsense considerations are overriding, such as banning possession of semiautomatic weapons by juveniles or felons. I'm also a big fan of politicians that understand the the 2A is an individual right. The only time "individual" is used in the above letter is when he's talking about criminals. I'd give him a C+. |
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Quoted: In a few, limited circumstances, I believe that commonsense considerations are overriding, such as [red]banning possession of semiautomatic weapons by juveniles or felons.[/red] Not only that but he also needs to be educated a bit too! [b]So I guess he believes it's okay for felons to carry revolvers? [/b] [brick] |
| The response is a bit (alot) misinformed but is atleast one of the most Pro-gun stances I've seen a politician admit to. Has any senator or congressman ever completely gotten behind the 2nd amendment and said "no gun laws whatsoever"? It seems unlikely you'll find a politician who won't atleast say "no machineguns" or "reasonable restrictions." |