On the recordJune 8, 2022
Washington needs to be re-educated on the meaning of ``shall not be infringed.'' The Second Amendment insulates the American people from the Federal Government exerting undue influence over them; otherwise known as infringement. When the Federal Government acts in haste, the room for error is drastically compounded; as is the case with the Democrat gun control bills that are before this very body. Let me be very clear: The horrific tragedies that occurred in Uvalde and Buffalo are truly heartbreaking. I continue to pray for our society and for the families of the men, women, and children who were senselessly murdered. Before proposals are put on the table, however, this problem must be diagnosed in its entirety. The Supreme Court has recognized the right of individual citizens to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment. Further, the Court specifically recognizes that the inherent right to self-defense is protected by the Second Amendment as well. A study conducted in 2013 estimated that firearms are used in defense from half a million to 3 million times annually. Americans exercise their Second Amendment rights when protecting their family and property. It was not written so that one could go hunting. As former Senator Tom Coburn once said, ``It was to create a force to balance a tyrannical force here.'' The Federal Government should not be in the business of issuing edicts that threaten the Second Amendment rights of Americans.…
