Opponents of gun control believe laws restricting gun usage infringes on the Second Amendment right of American citizens to bear arms. The debate for stronger gun control laws usually follows violent acts committed with guns, such as the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Here are 13 quotes from opponents to gun ban tactics from politicians past and present as well as other public figures who have commented on the issue.
1.
Scott Wilson, president of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League, in an effort to defeat Governor Dannel Malloy in Connecticut: "Lawmakers took it upon themselves to hold all gun owners responsible for what happened in a small quiet town in Western Connecticut. In essence, these politicians took the politically expedient route and ostracized law-abiding gun owners ... Dan Malloy has vilified all gun owners in the state of Connecticut ... he has demonized us and weakened our rights."
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2. "I'm not big on re-inventing the wheel, but I believe we need great clarity on people's fundamental right to bear arms,"
said State Represenative Mike Jones of Alabama about a proposed Amendment to the Alabama constitution which would protect the right to bear arms.
3. “I have a beautiful little Smith & Wesson, 9 millimeter, and it goes with me virtually everywhere… I do believe in the right to carry, and I believe in the right to defend myself and my family —whether it’s from an intruder, or whether it’s from the government, should they decide that my rights are no longer important,” said Joni Ernst, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate from Iowa.
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4. "Don't mess with people's right to bear arms with any restrictions," said Pat Roberts, a U.S. senator from Kansas during a September 2014 debate with opponent Greg Orman.
5. “Placing a heavier burden on responsible gun owners will do little to prevent troubled individuals from carrying out violent acts. The Second Amendment is very clear and so is my commitment to protecting the Constitutional right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms,”
said Mike Johanns, a U.S. Senator from Nebraska.
6. “We should encourage rifle practice among schoolboys, and indeed among all classes, as well as in the military services by every means in our power. Thus, and not otherwise, may we be able to assist in preserving peace in the world,” said President Theodore Roosevelt.
7. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government," said President Thomas Jefferson.
8. “Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion in private self-defense,” said President John Adams.
9. “I have only five words for you: From my cold, dead hands,” said actor and gun rights activist Charlton Heston.
10. “You don’t need no gun control, you know what you need? We need some bullet control. Men, we need to control the bullets, that’s right. I think all bullets should cost five thousand dollars… five thousand dollars per bullet… You know why? Cause if a bullet cost five thousand dollars there would be no more innocent bystanders,” said comedian Chris Rock.
11. “The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil,” said Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, author of "The Art of the Rifle."
12. “America is a country founded on guns. It’s in our DNA. It’s very strange but I feel better having a gun. I really do. I don’t feel safe, I don’t feel the house is completely safe, if I don’t have one hidden somewhere. That’s my thinking, right or wrong,”
said actor Brad Pitt.
13. “I would like to see every woman know how to handle firearms as naturally as they know how to handle babies,”
said sharpshooter Annie Oakley.
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