Political Quotes

“the bill has a number of technical problems which we have already heard discussed, including one for which I will have an amendment later in the debate. But the point I want to make here is, on page 3 of the bill, under findings, the findings have as the number one finding, citizens have a right protected by the second amendment to the United States Constitution to keep and bear arms. It is interesting that the word is ``citizens,'' plural, not an individual has a right. Just so there is no confusion, I think it is important to get the record straight on what the second amendment says, particularly in light of the fact that the supporters of the bill on numerous occasions in committee hearings have been unable to cite a single final judgment which supports the idea that an individual has the right to bear arms under the second amendment. This goes back to the United States v. Miller case in 1939, where the court held that for the proposition, in the beginning of the second amendment, mentioning well-regulated militia. It says that the possession of a weapon must be reasonably related to a well-regulated militia.”