Gold & Silver Forum - I Write Congressmen

Dear jackson:

Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 45, Blair Holt�s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009. I appreciate hearing from you and having the opportunity to respond.

As you may know, Representative Bobby Rush (D-IL) introduced H.R. 45 on January 6, 2009. This legislation would prohibit a person from possessing a firearm unless they have been issued a license under the Act. Currently H.R. 45 is under consideration by the House Judiciary Committee.

The Second Amendment to the Constitution reads: �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.� I firmly believe this provision prohibits the federal government from denying citizens this right.

I will not support any legislation that requires a waiting period for the purchase of a firearm, bans the ownership of firearms, or promotes or requires the rationing or taxation of firearms or ammunition. Contrary to the claims of gun control advocates, gun ownership is not the source of our gun-related crime problem. Illegal firearms trafficking and our �revolving door� justice system are significant contributing factors. I will continue to support legislation to reform our justice system to impose stiff sentences on criminals who use a gun while committing a crime. Individuals must understand that criminal behavior will not be tolerated, and will be met with grave penalties.

While I do not sit on the committee with jurisdiction over H.R 45, I will continue to monitor its progress as it makes its way through the committee process. You can be confident that I will keep your thoughts in mind should it come before me on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact me about this issue. As your representative in Congress, it is important to me to know your thoughts and opinions about issues affecting our
nation today. I also encourage you to visit my website, www.house.gov/simpson, to sign up for my e-newsletter and to read more about my views on a variety of issues.

Sincerely,

Mike Simpson
Member of Congress
-ojo-