Issue Position: Second Amendment
Issue Position
I am a strong supporter of our Second Amendment rights, and, as such, I do not support gun control. Every American has the personal right to own and safely use firearms. We must protect and preserve our right to bear arms as granted in the Constitution. The Second Amendment prohibits the federal government from denying American citizens the right to bear arms, and I will not support any legislation that infringes upon this right, including a waiting period for firearm purchases, a ban on firearm purchases or ownership, or the rationing or taxation of firearms or ammunition. I support gun safety efforts because firearms should be used in a safe and responsible manner.
In December 2007, I led an effort in the U.S. Senate to make firearm regulations on public lands consistent, allowing individuals possessing a firearm to transport and carry the firearm on lands managed by the National Parks Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service. This commonsense solution reduces unnecessary confusion and burdens on law abiding gun owners by allowing individuals to transport firearms in a manner consistent with the laws of the host state. This policy became the law of the land on February 22, 2010.
Another Second Amendment initiative that I am proud of is the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act of 2009 (S. 941), which I introduced on April 30, 2009. This bipartisan bill aims to promote accountability for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Forearms and Explosives (BATFE) in responding to complaints about firearms violations. The current process is very bureaucratic and often has firearms dealers unclear as to paperwork regulations and the expectations from the BATFE. This legislation is needed so that dealers, both large and small, have a fair opportunity to discuss alleged violations, respond to them, and negotiate agreements to resolve issues raised by the BATFE. The bill would create a mandatory warning period before the license of a firearms dealer can be revoked and imposes further checks on agency enforcement policies and personnel.
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