On the recordMarch 1, 2011
I appreciate the gentlelady for yielding. Madam Speaker, it is good to see you in the seat this evening. I support the Second Amendment. I was lucky enough to come into this Congress with my friend from New York, Carolyn McCarthy. She has been a champion for the issue against gun violence. I am proud to be here tonight supporting her legislation, H.R. 308, the Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act. The McCarthy bill will reinstate the ban on large capacity ammunition feeding devices that existed for quite some time, from 1994 to 2004, as the gentlelady from Long Island has said. As has already been stated, this bill bans the sale or transfer of high capacity magazines, those holding more than 10 rounds, by non-law enforcement civilians. I state that right now, Madam Speaker, to make it very, very clear, this is an issue close to my heart because I came to this Congress in January 1997 pledging my support to defend law enforcement officials throughout the United States of America. Many times those who illegally have these guns or have illegal guns, many times they are better armed than our police forces. Just think about it? When we raise our hands, if we are fortunate enough to be elected or reelected, we swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States and life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as you heard the gentlewoman just mention.…
