On the recordJanuary 11, 2016
On the very evening the President held a town hall calling for increased gun control, Philadelphia Police Officer Jesse Hartnett was shot at 11 times. None of the President's proposals would have prevented the attack. More gun control will not stop criminals. The attack was carried out with a stolen police pistol. It will not stop the mentally ill. The shooter complained of hearing voices. More gun control will not stop terrorists. The attacker shouted his support for ISIS. To reduce shootings, we must enforce current laws, reform mental health laws, and defeat Islamic terrorists overseas. They should update the age-old bumper sticker from, ``If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns'' to, ``If guns are outlawed, only outlaws and terrorists will have guns.'' The only positive outcome of the Philadelphia attack is to identify a new American hero, Jesse Hartnett, who demonstrated the extraordinary professionalism of America's law enforcement as recognized last Saturday during National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and may the President, by his actions, never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. Releasing terrorists from Guantanamo will allow mass murderers to secure guns to kill American families. ____________________
