Our God given right to bear arms is a principle upheld by our forefathers since the very founding of this nation. It is deemed so fundamental that our right to bear arms is affirmed by the 2nd amendment to the United States Constitution. The second amendment states “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” This is clearly not solely for the purpose of hunting and sport. Yet since our founding, judges, departments, and politicians have stripped this liberty under the disguise of security. Undermining the nature of the 2nd amendment, Washington tries to claim protection over every individual while inhibiting citizens’ ability to protect themselves.
Citizens, just as police, should be able to use their firearms for self-defense. But if responsible citizens do not have access to firearms, it becomes difficult to protect themselves where threats most often occur. This is why I cosponsored the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 which allows individuals with a right-to-carry permit in their resident state to legally carry their firearm in another state. I am also a cosponsor of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) Reform Act of 2011, which would make great progress in getting the federal government off of our firearms. Being a member of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, I am able to keep an eye out for good gun rights legislation in the future.
The necessity of our right to bear arms is not only vital to keeping our individual liberties, it is a matter of homeland security. Not only is the 2nd amendment undermined, but restoring our right to bear arms will keep our nations safer and more free. As the elected representative of Indiana’s 3rd Congressional district and a staunch promoter of our right to bear arms, I will continue to fight against any legislation that violates this vital and fundamental right.