In the Washington Post, U.S. House, D.C. Council Wrestle Over Gun Control tells a post-Heller story:
The struggle to regulate guns in the District in light of a historic U.S. Supreme Court ruling sparked competing legislative efforts yesterday as members of Congress debated taking control of the issue and the D.C. Council implored them to leave it in local hands.
On the most significant day of legislative activity on gun control since the high court ended the District's 32-year-old handgun ban in June, the council voted unanimously to ease some contentious firearms restrictions while the U.S. House of Representative considered a more dramatic measure that would limit the city's power to regulate guns. . . .
. . .The House was debating a bill last night that would scrap almost all locally imposed gun control rules in the District, including the new handgun registration process. It would also severely limit city officials' ability to enact any future measure that goes beyond the firearms restrictions in federal law. The measure is expected to go to a vote today. . . .
Update #2: We mistakenly thought that the bill being discussed was 6691; actually it was H.R. 6842, the National Capital Security and Safety Act. Walz's positions on both bills demonstrate his commitment to Second Amendment rights. We apologize for the error; our new title reflects the vote, as do the edits in this post. Here's the statement from Walz's office on his vote on 6842:
Today, Congressman Walz voted to defend the Second Amendment right of every citizen to bear arms. Walz voted for the National Capital Security and Safety Act after certain provisions were adopted that will bring Washington, D.C. into compliance with the Supreme Court's decision in Heller v. District of Columbia. Earlier this year, Congressman Tim Walz also signed on to a friend-of-the-court brief in the Heller case, in which he supported the right of citizens to bear arms. The National Capital Security and Safety Act passed the Housetoday by a vote of 266 to 152.
"Gun ownership is a basic right in America, not to be infringed upon by anyone or any government entity," said Walz, an avid hunter and member of Pheasants Forever. "This legislation will amend the Washington, D.C. gun law to reinstate the rights of Washington residents to legally purchase guns from a federally licensed dealer. It also restores their right to defend themselves in their homes."
Walz concluded, "As someone who works in Washington, D.C. when the Congress is in session, I am proud to cast my vote to defend the right guaranteed in the Second Amendment." [end update #2]
Congressman Walz is also a co-sponsor of H.R. 6691, the Second Amendment Enforcement Act, and of 1399, a related bill introduced before Heller.
Last week, the NRA-PVF endorsed Walz:
“During his first term in the House, Congressman Walz consistently supported the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen, and demonstrated a strong commitment to the Second Amendment and our country’s rich hunting heritage,” said Chris W. Cox, Chairman of NRA-PVF. “Because of his unwavering pro-gun support, Tim Walz earned an ‘A’ rating and an endorsement from NRA-PVF.”
In 2006, Walz ran as a pro-gun rights candidate.
Update: Now that we're awake, we're remembering today is Constitution Day. Find out more about the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and other amendments at the Constitution Center and the Library of Congress.
Comments