Alcee Hastings: “Mr. Speaker, let me say this in closing. The gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) and I live very close to Orlando. I…”

“Mr. Speaker, let me say this in closing. The gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) and I live very close to Orlando. I was born and raised in Alta Mont Springs that is 10 miles north of Orlando. I will not be in Orlando when the National Rifle Association meets there 3 weeks from now. I will not be receiving contributions from some of their members, interestingly. I am sure that there are some of their members who agree with me. Gun dealers and owners who illegally sell or use guns are subject to prosecution under Federal laws, as my friend from Texas pointed out at the Committee on Rules yesterday, such as Brady. That is not what we are talking about here today. Today we are talking about the civil damages these actions cause, the innocent victims of gun violence. This bill, in my opinion, would eviscerate this possibility; and I think in that regard that it is wrong. Let me says that with my warm live hands I will protect the right of American citizens and American values to legally own guns.”