Political Quotes

On the recordMay 4, 1994
for all the talk about the second amendment, you would think people would talk about the whole amendment. There are people who say it is wrong to take assault weapons out of the hands of the gangs and the druglords because ``the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.'' But they forget that the amendment protects the right because ``A well regulated Militia'' is ``necessary to the security of a free State. * * *'' Show me the well regulated militia carrying street sweepers. Show me the well regulated militia carrying AK-47'S and TEC 9's. There are none. When we speak of assault weapons, let us not forget who these guns are assaulting. When we talk about street sweepers, we are not talking about people who clean up the litter on our streets, but rater about a gun designed to litter the streets with bodies. Where are these guns? They are on the streets of our cities, murdering our children. Street thugs are not my idea of a well regulated militia, Mr. Speaker, and it is not yours either, you can vote for this bill with a clear conscience.
Said by
Bob Menendez
Democratic · New Jersey

Editor's note · Context

Addressing the issue of assault weapons and the Second Amendment during a debate on gun control legislation.

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