Arkansas is known nationwide for its natural beauty.  Our state possesses some of the most beautiful lakes, mountains, wetlands and forests in the country.  As an avid outdoorsman and hunter, this time of year is one of my favorites.

Hunting season presents a great opportunity to spend time with friends and family and truly experience some of our state’s most beautiful lands.  However, hunting season also revives the very important discussion on gun owner rights.  

I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms.”  Our early states adopted this right along with the right of free speech and the right to due process of law.  We cannot pick and choose which Constitutional amendments we wish to defend in this country – we must protect all of them.

Throughout my time in Congress, I have fought to protect the rights of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.  Guns have a recreational role particularly in rural states such as Arkansas, but guns also play an even more important role in helping to defend family and property.  Gun control legislation only restricts the rights of law abiding citizens.  

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down D.C.’s long-standing ban on handguns and operable firearms within the home for self-defense in the case of D.C. vs. Heller (2008).  However, the District responded by passing an emergency bill that created an unfair burden for D.C. residents who have just as much of a right to defend their homes, property and family as any other citizen in this country.

In September, I worked with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass the Childers Amendment to H.R. 6842, the National Capital Security and Safety Act.  This revised bill honored the D.C. v. Heller (2008) Supreme Court decision and ensured that D.C. residents’ Second Amendment rights were protected.  I am proud to have been one of the leading proponents of this amendment which was instrumental in protecting the rights of lawful gun owners in our nation’s capital.  However, this much-needed legislation remains in the Senate for approval.       

As an avid hunter and pro-gun Democrat, I will continue working in Congress to protect the rights of lawful gun owners and will oppose and fight any efforts to weaken or limit our Second Amendment rights.

Sincerely,

 
Mike Ross