As a sportsman, gun owner, and active member of the U.S. Army Reserve, I approach our Second Amendment rights with a deep respect for firearms. Millions of Americans safely and routinely own and use firearms for hunting, sport, and self-protection. This includes many residents of southern Ohio, and many of our friends and neighbors. Our founders enumerated firearm ownership as a right alongside the right to free speech and the right to a fair trial in the original Bill of Rights.

I have serious concerns that new and additional regulations would not only limit the rights of law-abiding Americans, but would also not solve the problem of gun violence in our nation. As we explore potential policy solutions, we must not forget nor minimize the Second Amendment, which states, "...the right to bear arms shall not be infringed."

There are legislative steps we can take to make mass-casualty shootings even rarer, including examining how we identify, diagnose, treat mental illness, promote strong family structures, and address the root causes of violence. I believe that these efforts, especially in regard to gun ownership, will have a more positive and dramatic effect and will lead to increased safety for all Americans. 

Cosponsored Legislation

H.R. 1825 - Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act
H.R. 2959 - National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2013
H.R. 3197 – Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act of 2013 
H.CON.RES. 23 - Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the conditions for the United States becoming a signatory to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, or to any similar agreement on the arms trade.

Bills Which Passed the House

H.R. 3197 – Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act of 2013 

Other Action on 2nd Amendment Rights

• Letter to Secretary of State Kerry and President Obama expressing concerns about the United Nations’ Arms Trade Treaty and requesting the Administration not support the treaty.
• Letter to President Obama asking he respect the Constitution and the concerns of lawful gun owners in any attempt to change federal gun policy

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