03/16/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/16/2023 14:25
WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in introducing the Respect for the Second Amendment Act to protect an individual's right to keep and bear arms.
The legislation would codify the Supreme Court's landmark decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen.
"Congress has the ability to use its authority to guard against state overreach-and that is what this bill does. At a time when the constitutional right to keep and bear arms is under attack in courtrooms throughout America, we must ensure that the Supreme Court's decision about the Second Amendment is not only legal precedent but that the law preserves it forever," said Kennedy.
"The Supreme Court has spoken very clearly in Heller and Bruen on the Second Amendment: We have an individual right to own a gun," Kennedy added.
On the topic of gun ownership, the senator said, "I own several. I also believe that love is the answer, but I do, I own a hand gun just in case."
"I am very pleased that all Senate Judiciary Republicans are speaking with one voice when it comes to supporting the Second Amendment rights recognized by the Supreme Court in the Heller and Bruen decisions. Now more than ever, it is important that Congress recognize and support that the Second Amendment is an individual right and that the right to bear arms to defend oneself is an integral part of American society. With this bill, we are ensuring that the rights affirmed by the Supreme Court are part of the federal code-and preventing a future Supreme Court from reversing this decision. The Respect for the Second Amendment Act will memorialize the holdings in these landmark Supreme Court cases and provide further protection to the Second Amendment," said Graham.
The Respect for the Second Amendment Act would:
Background:
Full text of the bill is available here.