Letter from Rep Doug Lamborn

January 17, 2013 

  
Dear , 

Thank you for contacting me about proposed gun regulations. I appreciate
hearing from you. 

First and foremost, no words can adequately describe the tragedy that
occurred in Connecticut.  With the loss of so many innocent lives,
especially the young children, our prayers should continue to go out to
the families and the community around them.  While a political
discussion of what we in Congress can do to prevent future tragedies is
inevitable, I hope these discussions will not overshadow the memory of
those who lost their life that day.   

As a Member of Congress I will honor my oath to "support and defend the
Constitution of the United States."  Since being ratified on December
15, 1791, the Bill of Rights has been one of the core pillars of our
Constitution. The rights enshrined to the people there have been a
beacon to the world. The 2nd Amendment states, "A well regulated
Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of
the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." In 2008 the
historic Supreme Court case of D.C. vs Heller reaffirmed this amendment
as a protection for individuals of  the right to bear arms. There is no
clause in the Second Amendment qualifying or limiting this right. 

As the 113th Congress begins there will be extensive discussion in the
months ahead concerning what, if any, changes to our gun laws or other
laws are needed following the tragic events in Connecticut. I take
seriously the need to safeguard the Constitutional right to bear arms. I
believe that responsible gun owners should not be punished for the
actions of one deranged person. I am concerned that in a rush to do
something, there may be an overreaction.  I think we need to take a
thoughtful approach and look at all of the facts in order to avoid any
unintended consequences. 

As we review the facts and study this issue I hope we also review the
effectiveness of current efforts to control gun use. The shooter in
Connecticut, a state with some of the most stringent gun control laws in
the nation, stole the guns from his mother after brutally murdering her.
He illegally carried the guns into a "gun-free" zone because he knew
there would be no one to stop him.  According to the U.S. Department of
Justice, a majority of guns used by criminals are stolen, bought on the
black market, or obtained in other illegal ways. Most, if not all, of
the laws being proposed by gun control advocates would not have made any
difference in Connecticut. 

Lastly, President Obama and Vice President Biden have both indicted they
will be using executive orders to pursue gun control. Unfortunately too
often this administration has used this tactic to go around Congress to
achieve its agenda. This flies in the face of the design of our Founding
Fathers when they established the Constitution with three co-equal
branches with checks and balances. Although the President can direct
various executive agencies how to do their business, the Constitution
does not allow the President to make law through executive order. If
President Obama wants changes to our gun laws he must bring these
changes to Congress so we can have an open, honest, and transparent
debate. Anything other than this is totally unacceptable.  

As we as a nation continue to heal from this tragedy I hope we  also
look within our families, churches, and cultural institutions--for
answers.  Thank you once again for providing me with your concerns. For
more information about my efforts on behalf of Colorado and to receive
periodic congressional updates, please visit my website at
Lamborn.house.gov/. 

          
Sincerely,

Doug Lamborn
Member of Congress