Last week, I faxed a message to Rep. Joel Hefley, R-CO, asking him to cosponsor HR347.
Today, I received the following reply.
Dear Friend:
Thank you for contacting me regarding Hr 347, the Citizens Self-Defense Act. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns.
As you may know, I believe every citizen has the right to protect themselves, their families and their homes with a firearm. I believe in the Second Amendment and I try to consistently support legislation that upholds the freedoms granted by the Constitution.
I support the intent of HR 347, which protects these rights, however, my concern is that it would override certain state laws. While I disagree with states that have chose to enact stricter and more limiting gun ownership and gun control, I do not believe the federal government should supersede decisions made by state legislatures. I have always worked to protect the rights of U.S. citizens to bear arms, but I have also worked to grant and protect states' rights.
Colorado already has a law to protect the rights of those who use deadly force in defense of a person, premises or property and the use of deadly physical force against an intruder. The Citizens' Self-Defense Act appears to effectively apply the same common sense laws we already have in Colorado to all other states. I believe this is an action that should be undertaken by individual states.
Thank you for your letter. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
(signed)
Joel Hefley
Well. Rep. Hefley's point about usurping states' rights is a good one, but I still have some issues with his response.
For one thing, the right to bear arms is not granted by the Constitution; it's guaranteed. A small difference, yes, but crucial.
For another, the "Make My Day" law we have has not been entirely effective. People have killed armed intruders, and still sat in jail while waiting for trial. BAB and Morgan, you may remember the Gina Gershon case from a few years ago. She was acquitted of murder, but only after a very expensive trial (for which she's still paying, I understand).
Perhaps I should forward this message to Ron Paul, asking him about the federal vs state thing.
------------------
"Quemadmoeum gladius neminem occidit, occidentis telum est."
(The sword does not kill; it is a tool in the hands of the killer.)
--Seneca "the Younger" (ca. 4 BC-65 AD)
Today, I received the following reply.
Dear Friend:
Thank you for contacting me regarding Hr 347, the Citizens Self-Defense Act. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns.
As you may know, I believe every citizen has the right to protect themselves, their families and their homes with a firearm. I believe in the Second Amendment and I try to consistently support legislation that upholds the freedoms granted by the Constitution.
I support the intent of HR 347, which protects these rights, however, my concern is that it would override certain state laws. While I disagree with states that have chose to enact stricter and more limiting gun ownership and gun control, I do not believe the federal government should supersede decisions made by state legislatures. I have always worked to protect the rights of U.S. citizens to bear arms, but I have also worked to grant and protect states' rights.
Colorado already has a law to protect the rights of those who use deadly force in defense of a person, premises or property and the use of deadly physical force against an intruder. The Citizens' Self-Defense Act appears to effectively apply the same common sense laws we already have in Colorado to all other states. I believe this is an action that should be undertaken by individual states.
Thank you for your letter. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
(signed)
Joel Hefley
Well. Rep. Hefley's point about usurping states' rights is a good one, but I still have some issues with his response.
For one thing, the right to bear arms is not granted by the Constitution; it's guaranteed. A small difference, yes, but crucial.
For another, the "Make My Day" law we have has not been entirely effective. People have killed armed intruders, and still sat in jail while waiting for trial. BAB and Morgan, you may remember the Gina Gershon case from a few years ago. She was acquitted of murder, but only after a very expensive trial (for which she's still paying, I understand).
Perhaps I should forward this message to Ron Paul, asking him about the federal vs state thing.
------------------
"Quemadmoeum gladius neminem occidit, occidentis telum est."
(The sword does not kill; it is a tool in the hands of the killer.)
--Seneca "the Younger" (ca. 4 BC-65 AD)