» Firearms » A letter regarding gun control from Members of Congress to the President
A letter regarding gun control from Members of Congress to the President
The following is a letter from members of Congress to President Obama regarding the topic of gun control and his unconstitutional use of executive orders. The signature pages are attached as images so you can see who signed the letter. The letter was dated January 23, 2013.
Following the recent announcement of your gun control legislative package, we the undersigned Members of Congress are concerned that the proposals you outlined do not fully consider the voices of millions of law-abiding Americans who support the Second Amendment.
On December 14, 2012, the entire country was shaken by the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims’ families and the entire Sandy Hook community. Understandably, this crime has sparked a national dialogue about whether there are steps that could have prevented this tragedy, but this dialogue must proceed in a manner that is consistent with our nation’s rights and values. We believe that at its core, the problem is not the absence of law, but rather a lack of respect for human life and human dignity.
It is also our expectation, and your constitutional obligation, that you will work with Members of Congress in pursuing all of the Administration’s proposals through the legislative process, rather than unilateral action by the Executive Branch. The American people deserve and the U.S. Constitution requires a transparent and open discussion on issues of such national importance. This constitutional process provides a voice for all Americans. The desire for prompt action should never cause us to overlook our founding document, our most sacred beliefs, the Constitution. Like you, we have sworn our allegiance to the Constitution, with the full understanding that nobody – not even the President of the United States – is above its principles.
Your proposals do not adequately recognize that simply having access to a firearm does not cause murderous intent or criminal nature. Countless more children who are raised in homes with lawful firearms do not commit crimes than those who do. That is why it is most important that we gain an in-depth understanding of the malice, and probable mental illness, from which these criminals suffer. A gun does not turn an otherwise law-abiding citizen into a murderer, but that gun may protect a law-abiding citizen from one.
Significantly absent from your proposals were the voices of the many Americans who protect themselves and their families, who prevent crime, and who participate in sport lawfully under the Second Amendment. Since December 14, gun purchases by law-abiding Americans have increased – not decreased. Since December 14, membership in organizations supporting the Second Amendment, such as the National Rifle Association, has increased – not decreased.
While your proposals assume the answer is more laws and fewer guns, millions of other Americans want an increased ability to protect themselves and their families. As we remember the victims of Sandy Hook, let us not overlook the many citizen heroes who have prevented or thwarted similar tragedies with their right to bear arms. Whether it is the convenience store clerk from Battle Creek, Michigan who protected himself and his customers from a robbery because he was armed with a gun, or a single mom guarding her baby during a home invasion, guns are used every day to make this country safer. In fact, guns are used every day in this country to protect the most vulnerable among us.
Again, we are all here under an oath to our Constitution to serve the American people. That a proposal would not pass both houses of Congress is not a justification to circumvent Congress, but all the more reason why we must respect the constitutional process of lawmaking. As Supreme Court Justice Thomas Clark cautioned, “Nothing can destroy a government more quickly than its failure to observe its own laws, or worse, its disregard of the charter of its own existence.”
Filed under: Firearms · Tags: Executive Orders, Gun Ban, Obama Gun Laws
19 Responses to "A letter regarding gun control from Members of Congress to the President"
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Where is Marco Rubio from Florida!? Why no signature!?
Signed,
Your very disappointed constituent
This letter is from Congress. Marco is in the Senate.
Congress is made up of the SENATE and the House of Representatives. You’ve gotta be kidding me.
I only see four from Mi. Shame on the rest of you, you will find out come election time if this matters or not!
No one from Maryland? Shame on the elected officials for not supporting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Missing Heidi Heitkamp from ND also, very disappointing!
Weird, betrayed by the libtards in Oregon once again? I’m not even surprised anymore. I’ve got to move.
The saddest part is that only 77 of the 535 members of Congress were willing to sign on. Kudos to the 77 that are publicly taking a stand – at least they are willing to stand up for what they believe in!
From a political angle, it’s probably safe to assume that another 1/3rd of Congress would silently oppose…so that is another 177, which means we have nearly half (at 253) of the legislature watching our backs, but I’d rather see them stand up for us now before it’s too late!
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I’m not surprised I don’t see any from Washington State. CANTWELL wrote me back stating she was supporting the Assault Weapons Ban. I hope the people wake up and realize they support their own agenda and not the US Constitution and vote them out of office.
Cantwell supports the ban in WA State, sad. The entire reaction driving the gun discussion is emotionally driven. All intelligent common sense people know making important decisions under emotional stress is a bad choice. Maybe we should ban hot-rodding motor vehicles? We all know this entire matter is primarily a pawn for the far left.
Why would any American be enthusiastic to quickly change the constitution?
Rodney Alexander Dist 5 LA has explaining to do! Right along with Sen David Vitter!
Thank you all for supporting our United States and our founding fathers dedication to our nation and the rights of the people. I appreciate all of your dedication to “We the people” and may God richly bless you and your families, and help us all to continue to live free in the greatest nation in the world. Thank you again.
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I would like to thank Jeff Miller for representing Florida District 01 properly. It is inherant that our leadership in fact leads. Our Constitutional process is imperative. In the words of Thomas Jefferson
“I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”
I just sent my Congressman a copy of this letter asking why his signature was not on it. I also reminded him that he took an oath to protect and defend our Constitution and I expected him to honor that oath. I know, I just wasted my time. But it did make me feel a little bit better.
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ONLY ONE SIGNATURE FROM CALIFORNIA SAD BUT WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM A LEFT WING HIPPY STATE MOSTLY NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. AS A NATIVE OF CALIFORNIA I AM APALLED AT THE DISRESPECT FOR THE MAJORITY OF CALIFORNIANS WHO HAVE COMMON SENSE.
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