Congressman Lamar Smith 21st district of Texas

Washington, Jan 16 -

Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), Chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, issued the following statement in response to the President’s proposal for gun restrictions.

Chairman Smith: “Since our nation’s founding, Americans have had the freedom and right to bear arms. As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I do not believe that limiting the rights of law-abiding citizens will prevent future acts of violence.

“Unfortunately, some in Washington want to use the recent tragedy for a partisan agenda to enact gun control. But rather than curbing constitutional rights, the President should focus on the underlying causes of these acts, including addressing mental illness and violence in the media.  

“Millions of law-abiding Americans should not be penalized for the actions of others.  I will oppose efforts by the Obama administration to restrict the constitutional rights of lawful gun owners.”