The Firing Line

H.R. 45, “Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009.”

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Boozman a Second Amendment Champion

Like many Third District residents, I am a strong supporter of our Second Amendment rights. Last year I received an A rating from the National Rifle Association and in the 111th Congress I have an A+ rating from the Gun Owners of America. I work closely with both of these organizations to preserve and strengthen gun-owners rights.

I am proud to be a member of the Second Amendment Task Force (SATF). This bipartisan group created during the 111th Congress, acts as a unified and proactive force to promote legislation that protects the Second Amendment and to fight legislation that poses a threat to citizens’ Constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

Recently, SATF held a briefing with gun rights advocates on upcoming issues and pending legislation to watch out for. The number one issue I have been hearing about from Third District constituents regarding Second Amendment rights is H.R. 45, “Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009.” This legislation amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit a person from possessing a firearm unless that person has been issued a firearm license under this Act or under a state system certified under this Act. It also requires the Attorney General to establish and maintain a database of information that includes the name, address, and firearm license number of any individual receiving a firearm, as well as the manufacturer, model, serial number, and date of receipt of the firearms received by each individual. I am concerned with this legislation and will vote against it should it reach the floor of the House of Representatives.

On September 30, 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its intention to hear the case of McDonald v. City of Chicago, which deals with an incredibly important Constitutional issue: whether the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments through the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Chicago case is directly parallel to the District of Columbia v. Heller, in which the court held that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear arms for self-defense. Chicago’s gun laws are based on the D.C. laws struck down in the Heller case and ruling the Second Amendment does not apply to the states and their localities would jeopardize our individual right to keep and bear arms for lawful purposes. Therefore, as I did in the Heller case, I have signed onto an amicus curiae brief in support of upholding the Second Amendment as a fundamental individual right applicable to the states. I encourage you to join me in carefully watching the progress of this very important case.

I am continually monitoring gun legislation closely and should any bills come to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote, I will uphold and support gun owner’s rights. As your representative in Congress, I will continue to work hard to protect Second Amendment rights for the people of Arkansas.