Jeremiah Smith: “I should have known that as election season approaches we would have to be down on the floor with more debate on gun…”

“I should have known that as election season approaches we would have to be down on the floor with more debate on gun control, and, unfortunately, the hostage held here--for our service men and women who are waiting--is the military construction appropriations bill. It is now being held hostage by this debate. It is unfortunate that some of our colleagues would do this to our military who we know are very much in need of a lot of the dollars and programs that are in that budget. Frankly, there is nothing more politically expedient or coldly opportunistic or blatantly unconstitutional, frankly, than gun control. It is pretty clear. I do not know how our colleagues can say the first amendment is all right and the second amendment isn't. Of course, it is an unmistakably and an unspeakably horrible tragedy when someone is killed. And it is very difficult to sometimes respond to the emotionalism of those who have lost a loved one in a tragedy such as a shooting or any other tragedy. But our response, my colleagues, should not be to disregard our oath of office and to walk away from the Constitution of the United States. We took an oath right there in the Well to 'defend and support' the Constitution. The last time I looked, the second amendment was part of that Constitution. I would have more respect for my colleagues if they came down and offered an amendment to remove it. At least that would be more honest.”