Scott Fitzgerald: “I will spend the time I have remaining responding to a few points made by my colleagues. First of all, the U.S. States…”

“I will spend the time I have remaining responding to a few points made by my colleagues. First of all, the U.S. States and territories already criminalize the misuse of less-lethal devices through existing assault and battery laws, and 34 States also restrict possession by violent felons and domestic abusers. Let me repeat that. It is illegal for violent felons and domestic abusers to own or misuse less-lethal devices. Mr. Speaker, our bill does not change that. H.R. 2189 preserves State regulation and, in fact, may invite State legislatures to adjust their statutes to harmonize with Federal law. Second, the bill will not create ghost guns or other unregulated firearms. The five-part test in this bill would sufficiently protect against deregulation, and any product submitted to ATF for classification will be scrutinized under the ATF's existing classification process. There is no loophole. This fear-mongering by colleagues on the other side of the aisle this morning is nothing more than that. Finally, police do, in fact, have difficulty obtaining these devices. State and local police departments in States like California, New York, and Texas will not buy the newest taser models due to the increased liability. This is not some hypothetical. Unless we make this change, State and local police departments will have to settle for weaker, less-accurate taser models due to this misclassification. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.”