On the recordOctober 20, 2011
I understand there is an agreement regarding the disposition of amendments already in place, but I believe this amendment deserves consideration and a vote. It is a noncontroversial matter, as far as I am concerned. It would simply make permanent 10 separate appropriations riders relating to firearms. The House CJS bill did the same thing, but these changes have been taken out of the Senate substitute amendment. Each of these riders has been in place for a long time--some more than 30 years. These clarifying provisions have been enacted year after year to preserve the rights of law-abiding gun owners and prevent encroachments on the part of the executive branch. It does not need to be a yearly exercise. There is widespread support for each of these provisions contained in my amendment. Once again, they have never been the subject of any significant controversy. My amendment would simply make them permanent so we do not have to bring them up all the time. This amendment would likely pass with more than 60 or 70 votes. I hope the leadership and the managers on the other side of the aisle will not simply accede to the wishes of a minority of Senators who are hostile to second amendment rights by preventing a vote on this amendment. I ask again for unanimous consent to set aside the pending matter and call up amendment No. 875. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
