Dear Mr. Rock and Glock:
Knowing your interest in the U.S. National Park Service’s gun ban, I wished to contact you with some recent information regarding this issue.
On April 17, 2007, Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) introduced H.R. 1897, the National Park Second Amendment Restoration and Personal Protection Act of 2007. This legislation prohibits any federal regulation from restricting the possession of a firearm if that regulation covers instances of firearm possession within a National Park. As a strong defender of the Second Amendment, I believe an individual's right to keep and bear arms should be protected. It is by this principle that I will judge H.R. 1897 and any similar legislation that comes before the Senate.
Because of my belief in the continuing need for an effective means for people to defend themselves and their property, I introduced S. 1001, the District of Columbia Personal Protection Act of 2007. This legislation repeals the District's existing handgun ban and restores District residents' constitutionally guaranteed right to protect themselves. My legislation has garnered the support of 42 cosponsors in the Senate. This bill is in line with a March 9, 2007, decision by the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals which declared that the District's gun ban was unconstitutional.
Rather than usurping the rights of law-abiding citizens, I believe we should vigorously prosecute those who use guns to commit crimes. I have worked to enact federal anti-crime legislation to impose tough minimum sentences on those convicted of using firearms to commit crimes, prevent early parole for violent criminals, and provide federal funds to build new prisons and fund local law enforcement. I will continue to support legislation that fights crime while upholding our Second Amendment rights.
Thank you for contacting me and please do not hesitate to keep in contact on any issue of concern to you.
Sincerely,
Kay Bailey Hutchison
United States Senator
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5922 (tel)
202-224-0776 (fax)