Angie Craig: “we are back on this very important piece of legislation, S. 397, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. Under a…”

“we are back on this very important piece of legislation, S. 397, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. Under a unanimous consent agreement entered into last evening, we are on the Kohl trigger lock amendment. I understand there is an hour equally divided, and we hope we can get to a vote on this before 12:30. This is an important amendment, which I am confident Senator Kohl will be here in a few moments to discuss. In the short term, let me visit the broader issue of the bill itself. We now have 62 cosponsors. I am pleased Senator Conrad has joined us in support of this important piece of legislation to limit predatory and junk lawsuits from attempting to destroy the capability of the private sector to produce legal, effective firearms for our Nation's citizens and for our police and military. Unlike most nations, we are a nation that does not have a government company or a government manufacturer of firearms. It has always been the responsibility of the private sector. They have done extremely well. Innovation and creativity has always allowed the latest and best firearm capability, not only for our private citizens but for the military and police departments and the armed services that contract with these private sector companies to produce not only the firearms but the effective ammunition for them. Some years ago, we saw a frustration growing in the gun control community that the public and the Congress collectively would not bend to their wishes.…”