3/4/2009 9:36:00 AM H.R. 45 a misguided attempt at gun control
An Illinois Democrat (what is it with Illinois Democrats, anyway?) has introduced a potentially dangerous - not to mention unconstitutional - resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Rep. Bobby L. Rush, D-Ill., has introduced House Resolution 45, the Blair Holt Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009. The resolution introduced a week prior to the inauguration of another Illinois Democrat is currently in the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. Rush introduced the same legislation in 2007, but the bill did not make it out of the subcommittee. Let's hope HR 45 meets with a similar fate. If enacted, this resolution would make it illegal to own a handgun or qualifying rifle without a firearms license. It also establishes criminal penalties for each violation. In order to be issued a firearm license an applicant would need to submit to the attorney general a current photograph, their name, address and date and place of birth, fingerprint, and a statement that the firearm will be safely stored. In other words, the firearm would be of no use for home defense.
We've been down this road many times before. But, for the record, let's repeat: Criminals do not obey existing laws. That's why we call them criminals. They will ignore this law as well. Actually, that's not accurate. The criminals will celebrate this law. If passed, it will make their illicit activities much easier to conduct.
Paul Craig Roberts, a former assistant secretary of the U.S. Treasury and former associate editor of the Wall Street Journal, wrote: "The act would permit the government to negate Second Amendment rights by refusing to issue a license. Any parents who bequeathed family antique or historic firearms to heirs would be in violation of the act. 'Gun violence' is not something committed by the vast majority of gun owners," Roberts wrote. "'Gun violence' is the preserve of the criminal elements, such as gangs fighting over drug turf. Criminals are already prohibited from owning guns, but criminals pay no more attention to this law than they do to laws against robbery, rape, and murder. Why do Democrats think that disarming law-abiding citizens will disarm outlaws?"
We agree with Mr. Roberts' assessment of House Resolution 45 and we encourage you to write your representative in Congress and voice your concern. This oppressive legislation would criminalize law-abiding citizens and do nothing to curb criminal violence. In fact, it would have the opposite effect.
- The Times-Gazette
Reader Comments
Posted: Thursday, April 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Donald Sharp
Hitler took away the people's guns, and nearly took over the world. We don't need that Again.
Posted: Thursday, April 02, 2009
Article comment by:
MB
What part of, "Shall not be infringed" don't you understand, Bobby? MB.
Posted: Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Article comment by:
Frank Zumpone
I love this country, but I cant believe some of the crap this new president and his crew are trying to do to this once great nation I served in the US NAVY. I hope I can always be proud to admit that. Take away our rights then our freedom will be next.
Posted: Saturday, March 28, 2009
Article comment by:
Carl Nelson
I spent thirty years in the U.S. Navy defending the Consitituion and this country and part of that was my right to gun ownership as guaranteed by the Second Ammendment. I think the founding fathers of this great nation must have considered gun ownership important enough to have made it the second amendment to the Constitution and thus a freedom, we as citizens, was guaranteed along with the right to religious and the other rights we were granted.
Posted: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Article comment by:
Randy Johnson
Maybe Bobby Rush is just trying to help his old friends in the hood, since he was one of the leaders of the Black Panthers. This way only the gangs would be able to get guns and the law abiding citizens would be on the short end of his stick. Both he and Daley are a joke. Maybe Daley should have baseball bats banned or regulated since one of his sons went after another person with that weapon at their summer home in Michigan many years ago.
Posted: Sunday, March 22, 2009
Article comment by:
Barbara Hilton
Our founding fathers must have thought that the right to bear arms was pretty important..Going back to not being able to bear arms is going backwards! We don't know what our future holds. And for me and my family we're gong to be fully loaded legal or illegally! It's not up to the government to dictate gun control! I bet they'll be protected when the sh..t hits the fan.
Posted: Friday, March 20, 2009
Article comment by:
benny
wHEN THEY PRY MY COLD DEAD HANDS FROM MY GUNS THESE PEOPLE NEED TO GET A REAL LIFE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS IS THE CRIMINALS, OH BUT WAIT, THAT IS WHAT YOUR PRESIDENT AND HIS PEOPLE WANT TO DO. SO LETS ALL GET ON THIS BAND WAGON NOT!!!!!!!!!! GET FOR REAL
Posted: Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Article comment by:
Matt
Actually, Bill, if my drug fogged memory of history class (my pathetic, public school excuse for that subject, anyway)serves me right, Adm Yamamoto told Emperor Hirohito that if the Japanese invaded America, "There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass"
Posted: Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Article comment by:
Bill
Let's not forget the Japanese initially wanted to attack the USA mainland but some of their officers had attended school here and advised their council that most Americans owned guns and this could create issues. Because of this they changed their plans and attacked Pearl Harbor. I recently went to 2 large guns stores just to look at purchasing a handgun and could not believe the number of people shopping for guns. This was a weekday in the middle of the afternoon. It was a combination of men and women. Most are saying we are headed for dangerous times and I want to be in a position to protect my family if necessary.
Posted: Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Article comment by:
Mowe
The last words of the open congress summary states that there are no co-sponsors and the bill will not likely be adopted. Don't get your panties in a wad. There are illegal drugs but one can still buy them. Criminals will still have gun. Have you ever tried to get Haz-Mat on you CDL? The process is the same. Truckers still haul hazardous materials. Big Brother isn't taking away our guns. What would Dick Cheney do in his spare time?
