U.S. Senator Pat Roberts

I am a strong supporter of congressional efforts to preserve our Second Amendment right to bear arms. Furthermore, I am opposed to actions that infringe on those rights and do not effectively reduce crime and violence. Firearm laws should only be enacted with the intent to punish criminal activity. Rather than chipping away at fundamental liberties backed by the Constitution, we should target the real problem-mainly crime.

I support enforcing the gun laws currently on the books, rather than creating new ones that erode basic rights of self-protection. I believe the best way to combat crime is through solid law enforcement opportunities and education. Throughout my service in the U.S. Senate, I have consistently voted to strengthen sentences for crimes committed with guns and I have supported provisions to stop violent crime and remove repeat offenders from the streets. Supporters of gun control claim that to reduce crime the government must regulate firearms. This view fails to recognize that criminals do not obey laws, and that passing gun legislation has no effect on removing guns from the hands of criminals. Nationwide statistics prove that states with strict gun laws have little effect on crime rates. In the end, it is only law-abiding citizens who are punished by gun control.
 
As a public servant to both Kansas and the nation, I swore an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution of the United States . Rest assured, I take that responsibility seriously.