Orrin Hatch: “earlier this week, as the debate on this legislation began, the distinguished majority whip said that ``we are here…”

“earlier this week, as the debate on this legislation began, the distinguished majority whip said that ``we are here because of Newtown, Connecticut.'' I agree. Had that horrific event not occurred last December, this legislation would not have been introduced. I share with all Americans the sorrow, frustration, and anger that follows a tragedy like what happened in Newtown or earlier in Aurora, Colorado, and Arizona. I share the sense that we must respond in some way, that we must prevent such tragedies in the future. We feel that way even though we know that such a guarantee is impossible, especially in a country that we want to remain free. But when a tragedy like that occurs, our fellow Americans look to Congress as if to say: Don't just stand there, do something. If we are here because of Newtown, if this legislation is indeed a response to that tragedy to prevent it from happening again, then it seems obvious that there should be some connection between what happened there and what is happening here. Common sense would say that Newtown must have exposed some deficiency in our laws or some gap that needs to be filled. Common sense would say that a legislative response to Newtown would be something that could have prevented this tragedy and, therefore, can prevent a similar tragedy in the future. That is what common sense would say, but it is just not true.…”