The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: rojawe on March 24, 2009, 09:37:43 PM
-
March 24, 2009
Dear Friends,
Just a quick update from Topeka – we have great news.
By an overwhelming vote of 39-1, the Kansas Senate today passed our proposed constitutional amendment (Senate Concurrent Resolution 1611) to define the right to bear arms as an Individual, rather than a collective right. Senator Mike Petersen and myself spoke strongly in favor of the amendment, as did numerous other supporters.
Here is our explanation of vote:
For many years, the citizens of Kansas have operated under the assumption that they possess an individual, Constitutional right to gun ownership. And we celebrated the decision last summer of the U.S. Supreme Court in Heller vs. D.C. confirming this individual right is enshrined in our U.S. Constitution.
However, we remain troubled. The Heller decision was a very narrow 5-4 vote and could be overturned by a new Justice to the Court. And now we learn that the Kansas Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision more than 100 years ago, ruled there are no individual rights to gun ownership in our Kansas Constitution.
We can no longer await or hope for the right decision from the Judiciary. Instead, it is time to allow Kansans a voice on this matter. By offering this proposed Constitutional Amendment, our citizens will have the final say here – shall we have an individual right to gun ownership in Kansas, or shall the state control and dictate who may own or use a gun.
Mr. President, I am very hopeful that the majority of Kansas will agree – the power shall rest with the citizens, not with the government.
The Constitutional Amendment will now be considered in the Kansas House in the very near future.
If you would prefer to no longer receive my E-mail updates…please let me know.
Sincerely,
Senator Tim Huelskamp
www.huelskamp.org