Chris Van Hollen: “I thank the Senator from Florida, Mr. Nelson, for introducing this legislation and also my other colleagues who have…”

“I thank the Senator from Florida, Mr. Nelson, for introducing this legislation and also my other colleagues who have been on the Senate floor today. This is emergency legislation, which is why there was a request for unanimous consent to move forward today. It is very disturbing that consent was not provided because we know that as a result of the Trump administration's actions, starting tomorrow, people all over the country--in fact, all over the world--are going to be able to download on their computers instructions and a whole manual on how to manufacture plastic guns with 3D printing. This is something that has been before previous administrations. The Obama administration fought hard against this ability for people to be able to send those instructions to make 3D guns at the speed of light around the world. In fact, this administration early on opposed allowing this to happen. Somehow, when this whole lawsuit was resolved the other day, the folks who want to send these instructions around the world were allowed to do so. In fact, Alan Gottlieb, who is with the Second Amendment Foundation that was part of this case, said: We asked for the Moon and we figured the government would reject it, but they didn't want to go to trial. The government fought us all the way and then all of the sudden folded their tent. Secretary Pompeo and the Trump administration folded their tent. As a consequence, Americans will be placed at much higher risk starting tomorrow.…”