·11250 Waples Mill Road · Fairfax, Virginia 22030 ·800-392-8683
Posted on 09/17/2008 9:55:35 AM PDT by neverdem
Fairfax, VA - The U.S. House of Representatives voted today to approve the National Rifle Association (NRA)-backed “Second Amendment Enforcement Act” in an overwhelming bi-partisan vote of 266-152. The Act, passed as an amendment to H.R. 6842, will overturn the District of Columbia’s gun control restrictions that defy the recent Supreme Court ruling by continuing to limit D.C. residents’ right to self-defense. This bill is necessary to enforce the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in District of Columbia v. Heller.
Following passage, Chris W. Cox, NRA’s chief lobbyist remarked, “From the moment the Supreme Court overturned this failed gun ban, elitist politicians have sought to undermine the Court’s decision with bogus emergency regulations that all but stop residents from exercising their Second Amendment rights. NRA wants to make sure D.C. residents are able to protect themselves and their families.”
On June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled “the District’s ban on handgun possession in the home violates the Second Amendment, as does its prohibition against rendering any lawful firearm in the home operable for the purpose of immediate self-defense.”
A bi-partisan group of Congressmen introduced legislation this summer to force the D.C. Council into compliance with the Supreme Court after the council enacted ‘emergency’ gun-control restrictions on its residents after D.C.’s gun ban and self-defense ban were overturned.
The Second Amendment Enforcement Act will:
· Repeal the District’s ban on semi-automatic handguns. Semi-automatic pistols have been the most commonly purchased firearms in the United States over the last 20 years, and therefore a ban on those firearms is unconstitutional as decided by Heller;
· Restore the right of self-defense by repealing the requirement that firearms be disassembled or secured with a trigger lock in the home;
· Reform the current D.C. registration system that requires multiple visits to police headquarters; ballistics testing; passing a written test on D.C. gun laws; fingerprinting; and limiting registration to one handgun per 90 days. The current system is unduly burdensome and serves as a vehicle for even more onerous restrictions; and
· Create a limited exemption to the federal ban on interstate handgun sales by allowing D.C. residents to purchase handguns in Virginia and Maryland. Currently there is only one licensed firearm dealer in the District, and the District government is standing in the way of additional dealers opening their doors. A 40-year old federal law prohibits residents from purchasing handguns outside of the District.
“I’d like to thank Congressmen Travis Childers, John Dingell, John Tanner, Mike Ross, Mark Souder, Bill Sali and Robin Hayes for their leadership. NRA will continue our work to bring the Second Amendment to D.C. residents, but we call on the Senate now to take up this historic legislation,” concluded Cox. “The American people should know where their elected representatives stand on this critical civil rights legislation before the November elections.”
-nra-
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military.
Which democrats were in favor?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
ALRIGHT! WE DID IT! Now DC residents can finally have their second amendment restored!
The DOJ should be indicting every single person on the DC council who refuses to enforce that decision!
Why does nobody in government ever treat this kind of crap seriously? People should be in jail!
YES. YES. YES. I want to see the vote count!!!!
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
ummmm, not until the Senate approves and Bush signs the bill.
Wonder how likely Senate libs will allow a vote on it before the election?
And of course if Nobama wins, it has no chance of ever being voted for in the Senate.
Big bump to that! This is a civil rights issue and should be treated as such.
No different than poll taxes.
It still has to pass Harry Reid’s Everything Stops Here Senate.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
There already is one, it is called the 2nd amendment.
When I was a youngster, we always carried a gun in the car, a policeman thought nothing of finding a pistol in the glove box, or under the seat. I know from experience.
I can remember taking 22 rifles, or 410 shotguns to school, as to be able to hunt rabbits, squirrels or other food on the way home.
I am only 70, so people should be able to remember what we really are entitled to, and so easily surrendered to the government.
FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 601
This appears to be the roll call in question. Check this link to see how many pubbies also voted for Eleanor Holmes Norton's bill in committee. It's quite an exercise in hypocricy. So far that I checked - Souder, Sali, Issa and McHugh voted YEA on both versions, Childers' and Holmes' amendments.
All corrections are always appreciated.
The DOJ should be indicting every single person on the DC council who refuses to enforce that decision
Indeed. However, they're busy with more important issues at the moment:
US Department of Justice awards NJIT $254,889 to continue developing gun technology
“152 Democrats vote to defy Constitution, United States Supreme Court.”
after posting the above, I’m wondering what republicans voted against it?
Yeah, I want to see some indictments and jail time for violators.
southern democrats have to vote in favor of gun rights or they will not get elected. even the biggest liberal in alabama probably grew up with guns. that is why you will never see southern politicians debate gun rights. they will get recalled! especially rural representatives. i would guess many of the nay votes were from northeastern democrats and republicans. or northwestern in some capacity. just a guess.
---- NOES 152 ---
The names that were in italics, the pubbies equivalent of yellow/blue dogs:
Castle, Gilchrest, King (NY), Kirk, Ramstad, Shays and Smith (NJ).
The bad news is that to get the House back, we'll have to keep them. The good news was 266 votes for the NRA bill.
Click on the first link in comment# 13.
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