Political Quotes

“this is a very painful vote, because there are great arguments on both sides and there are great people on both sides. I do not see the point of polarizing this. This is across the lines of politics and party and geography. But I, after much wrestling with this idea, this issue, come out opposed to H.R. 125. At the same time, I strongly support the second amendment. I believe every American has the right to keep and bear arms. But as the first amendment guaranteeing free speech has reasonable restrictions, copyright, trademarks, slander, libel, obscenity, fire in a crowded theater, it does not impair the rigor of the first amendment to have reasonable restrictions on it, so the second amendment can endure and flourish with reasonable restrictions. I do not think the kid next door should have a flamethrower or a Howitzer or a 5-inch .38. And so where you draw the line? It seems to me hunters have a right to hunting rifles, hunting guns. A person has a right to a pump shotgun to protect his home, and I am told that is the weapon that will do it. Target shooters have a right to weapons. But an Uzi, an AK-47, has no legitimate purpose in the civilian population. It may have a purpose during war because all they can do is kill a lot of people in a hurry. But it seems to me the promiscuous proliferation, forgive the alliteration, of these weapons among youth gangs in cities, who many times can outgun the police, is stupid.”