Political Quotes

“last month the President delivered his State of the Union address, and in it he highlighted several new anti-firearms initiatives. One of those proposals was to hire 500 new Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents. We have been told that he offered what gun owners have called for: more enforcement of existing gun laws. We were told that this will help take the guns out of the hands of criminals. Mr. Speaker, the truth is this initiative is a ruse. It is a trick designed to increase the number of Federal agents who can harass honest gun owners and gun dealers. It is true that the administration has done an abysmal job of enforcing gun laws. During the first 6 years of the current administration, ATF referrals for Federal, State and local prosecution declined by nearly one-half. For an administration that has clamored for and received massive new gun laws, this is an amazing drop. Mr. Speaker, it is also true that gun owners, like most people, want criminals behind bars. But the President's initiative, this deceptive trick, is not designed to do that. Its purpose is to enlarge and empower the worst offenders of our gun rights. And let there be no mistake about it, the ATF is the worst enemy that gun owners have. Let us remember the ATF. It was ATF agents who botched efforts started at Ruby Ridge and at Waco, two of America's most abhorrent abuses of power.”