Christopher Shays: “Mr. Chairman, this is a conscience vote for each and every one of us. I would like to thank my leadership for allowing…”

“Mr. Chairman, this is a conscience vote for each and every one of us. I would like to thank my leadership for allowing every Member on the Republican side of the aisle to come to his or her own conclusion. Americans have the constitutional right and protection to bear arms. It is there and it must be maintained. Their Government has the constitutional responsibility to regulate that right. Mr. Chairman, we need stronger crime control laws and enforcement. We also need stronger gun control laws and enforcement. If I had only one choice, it is obvious, I want stronger crime control. There is no contest. I think it is about 97 percent of the solution. But, that is not a choice we have to make. We do not have to choose between one or the other. They are not mutually exclusive. It is logical to pass rational gun control legislation as well. Some of my constituents called our office in opposition to this bill. When I spoke to them, it was clear they did not all oppose the law as it was written, but what the law might become. What they fear is the concept of the slippery slope.”