Steve Daines: “Today, on the other side of the Capitol, our friends in the Senate are considering a number of proposals that hold…”

“Today, on the other side of the Capitol, our friends in the Senate are considering a number of proposals that hold serious threats to our Second Amendment rights. I agree that we need to have a serious conversation about how to reduce violent crime. But the Senate's recent decision to focus debate on restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens is the wrong approach. These proposals will do nothing but expand Washington bureaucracy and further complicate the ability of law-abiding Montanans to purchase firearms while doing little to actually address the underlying problems behind violent crimes. Thousands of Montanans have reached out to my office, expressing their concern over these threats to their Second Amendment rights. As a fifth-generation Montanan and lifelong sportsman, I too am deeply concerned about the Senate's proposal to expand background checks for private sales to Montana citizens, which would criminalize the private transfer of firearms between law-abiding Montanans. Let me point out, the Second Amendment is not about hunting; it is about freedom. So let me be clear. I am strongly opposed to and will fight back against any efforts that infringe upon Montanans' Second Amendment rights. ____________________”