2nd Amendment Caucus Created In The U.S. House

US House ^ | April 26, 2004 | various

[Mulder]

Washington, DC: Today, Congressmen Marilyn Musgrave (CO-04) and Virgil Goode (VA-05) announced the creation of the Congressional Second Amendment Caucus. Comprised of 38 Members of Congress, this caucus is solely dedicated to the right of lawful individuals to own firearms as granted in the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

"As lawmakers in our nation's highest legislative body, we must fight to preserve the Constitutional right for individual citizens to keep and bear arms," said Musgrave. "While many in our nation's capital seek to chip away at the right of firearm ownership and possession, the 2nd Amendment Caucus is committed to defending lawful gun owner's constitutional rights in our nation, without compromise. Their voice will be heard in Congress."

"In fighting for and protecting our Second Amendment rights, it is important to be vigilant," said Virgil Goode. "I hope that this caucus will further that goal."

The caucus was created by Musgrave and Goode to ensure lawful gun owners are tenaciously defended in Congress. Its mission statement states:

The members of the Congressional Second Amendment Caucus know and understand that the Second Amendment to the Constitution is clearly written to protect the fundamental and individual right to keep and bear arms.

Furthermore, we understand that the Second Amendment does not refer to a collective right of federal or state governments. The Second Amendment refers to the individual citizen's right to keep and bear arms for the purpose of defense, recreation, and collection.

We oppose the banning of firearms, their accessories, their manufacture and their importation. Furthermore, we support recognizing the right of lawful citizens to carry a weapon both at home and while traveling the nation.

In upholding these principles we have joined the Congressional Second Amendment Caucus. This caucus' purpose for existence is solely to accomplish the above stated goals and protect the Second Amendment as it is written.

At its inception, the caucus consists of 38 Representatives, including: Roscoe Bartlett, Eric Cantor, Steve Chabot, Jo Ann Davis, Jim DeMint, J.D. Hayworth, Peter Hoekstra, John Hostettler, Ernest Istook, Sam Johnson, Sue Myrick, Mike Pence, Steve Pearce, Joe Pitts, John Shadegg, Tom Tancredo, and Pat Toomey.

[Mulder]

Some good news for a change

[OOPisforLiberals]

Allow me to be the first to say : Oh hell yes.

[Tax-chick]

Bump! Good news.

[DM1]

hey way cool

[gobucks]

bump .... and pinging you mr .30

[Mulder]

Contact your congresscritter here to urge them to join also.

http://www.house.gov/writerep/

[no more apples]

Waste of time for me - I live in RI, land of the "lets outlaw all capguns."

[epow]

Is there a site where we can find the names of all members of the caucus? I am sure many FR readers beside myself would like to know if our congress critter is in the caucus, and if not, why not.

[free2freep]

Pat Toomey

Who was just defeated in the Pennsylvania senate primary by RINO Arlen Specter, and who will likely honor his term limit pledge and step down after this congressional session. Bye Pat. :-(

[Mulder]

Is there a site where we can find the names of all members of the caucus?

I just looked on the House's website, and didn't see it listed yet.

[Centurion2000]

well thank GOD for small miracles

[OldEagle]

"...this caucus is solely dedicated to the right of lawful individuals to own firearms as granted in the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution."

The Second Amendment does not grant the right. It affirms the right and prohibits the government from messing with it. It certainly does not limit it to "lawful" individuals.

[8roundclip]

I'm certainly happy to see such a caucus in the congress. But I must disagree with one thing in the original post. It said "rights GRANTED by the Second Amendment". The right to keep and bear arms was seen to be granted by God, and guaranteed by the Second Amendment, as are all the other rights enumerated in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. An important distinction, I believe.

[hattend]

Washington, DC: Today, Congressmen Marilyn Musgrave (CO-04) and Virgil Goode (VA-05) announced the creation of the Congressional Second Amendment Caucus. Comprised of 38 Members of Congress, this caucus is solely dedicated to the right of lawful individuals to own firearms as granted in the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

About time

[ExSoldier]

"The Second Amendment does not grant the right. It affirms the right and prohibits the government from messing with it. It certainly does not limit it to "lawful" individuals."

Well said and of course 100% correct. You would get an A+ in my American Government class, had you raised this point in a class discussion. My students never seem to get it, because the eleven years of prior brain washing seems to have taken root.

[Mulder]

The Second Amendment does not grant the right

Good catch, guys. I missed it since I only the skimmed the article... that's what I get for not reading the whole thing.

[TERMINATTOR]

Right, on both points!

[Oorang]

Well surprise, surprise. This is excellent news. Thanks for the post.

[Vision]

Fantastic!!!