Northwestern PA Lamakers Push for
Second Amendment Protections
HARRISBURG -Reps. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint), Matt Gabler (R-DuBois), Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion) and Kathy Rapp (R-Warren) once again joined together with hundreds of Pennsylvania gun owners and outdoorsmen at the state Capitol today for the Fifth Annual Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rally.
"It is important for Pennsylvanians to come together every year to reaffirm their rights to keep and bear arms in order to defend themselves and protect public safety," Causer said. "As much as some would like to believe otherwise, stricter gun control laws will not stop people who don't abide by the law from misusing guns. What we need are laws that ensure law-abiding citizens have the right to defend themselves and ensure criminals who obtain or use guns illegally will be prosecuted."
Just some of the outstanding featured speakers at Pennsylvania's largest-ever, annual Second Amendment rally included former Texas state legislator, Right-to-Carry Law pioneer and best-selling author Suzanna Hupp; Larry Pratt, executive director, Gun Owners of America; Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president, National Rifle Association; and Kim Stolfer, chairman, Firearms Owners Against Crime.
"Every gun owner who made the time to journey to the state Capitol today deserves the credit for making every one of the governor's tragedy-exploiting, smoke and mirrors attempts to advance his ineffective and unconstitutional gun control agenda an absolute failure," said Rapp. "For the past several years you have successfully put the entire Rendell administration and every other gun grabbing lawmaker on notice that they have no authority to criminalize our Second Amendment right to defend our lives, families and properties with a firearm whenever necessary. Without question, Article 1, Section 21 of our state constitution clearly confirms: 'The right of citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the state shall not be questioned.'"
As the reign for one of Pennsylvania's most notorious, anti-gun governors draws to a close, the four Northwestern Republican lawmakers also offered their support for two House bills that would provide unprecedented protection to the right to keep and bear arms guaranteed by both the state and federal constitutions:
· House Bill 40: If enacted, House Bill 40 would make Pennsylvania the 24th state in the nation to adopt the Castle Doctrine to fully restore the legal ability of law-abiding gun owners to use lethal force to defend themselves outside of their homes, businesses, automobiles or in state parks against violent criminals. In addition, it would offer specific protection against civil liability for the lawful use of force in self-defense.
· House Bill 1541: The Private Firearm Ownership Protection Act targets cities such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and all other local government entities that have or plan to violate Section 6120 of the Pennsylvania Criminal Code that specifically prohibits local firearm laws. House Bill 1541 would require any offending jurisdiction to reimburse any plaintiff or organization that successfully challenges an illegal local firearm ordinance for actual damages, reasonable attorney fees and other legal costs.
"The right to keep and bear arms is the one right that we as citizens possess that guarantees the existence of all other rights," Gabler said. "It is such a shame that there are those in our society and in our Government who would try to infringe on this right. I am proud to stand with my constituents and with my like-minded colleagues in support of our God-given rights that have been guaranteed by the Constitution."
"As a state representative, I rely heavily on the clear-cut guidelines provided by our state and federal constitutions that I have sworn an oath to uphold and defend whenever questions involving our most cherished individual liberties come before me," said Oberlander. "Since Governor Rendell has taken an identical oath of office, many of my constituents have repeatedly asked me, in no uncertain terms, what part of our Second Amendment 'right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed' does the governor and other gun banning politicians fail to understand? Clearly, the safety and welfare of our citizenry cannot be guaranteed if we allow our status as gun owners to be reduced to silent, second-class citizens, which is exactly why I uncompromisingly and unapologetically support this common-sense, life-saving legislation."
e-mail from House Republican Public Relations
"It is important for Pennsylvanians to come together every year to reaffirm their rights to keep and bear arms in order to defend themselves and protect public safety," Causer said. "As much as some would like to believe otherwise, stricter gun control laws will not stop people who don't abide by the law from misusing guns. What we need are laws that ensure law-abiding citizens have the right to defend themselves and ensure criminals who obtain or use guns illegally will be prosecuted."
Just some of the outstanding featured speakers at Pennsylvania's largest-ever, annual Second Amendment rally included former Texas state legislator, Right-to-Carry Law pioneer and best-selling author Suzanna Hupp; Larry Pratt, executive director, Gun Owners of America; Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president, National Rifle Association; and Kim Stolfer, chairman, Firearms Owners Against Crime.
"Every gun owner who made the time to journey to the state Capitol today deserves the credit for making every one of the governor's tragedy-exploiting, smoke and mirrors attempts to advance his ineffective and unconstitutional gun control agenda an absolute failure," said Rapp. "For the past several years you have successfully put the entire Rendell administration and every other gun grabbing lawmaker on notice that they have no authority to criminalize our Second Amendment right to defend our lives, families and properties with a firearm whenever necessary. Without question, Article 1, Section 21 of our state constitution clearly confirms: 'The right of citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the state shall not be questioned.'"
As the reign for one of Pennsylvania's most notorious, anti-gun governors draws to a close, the four Northwestern Republican lawmakers also offered their support for two House bills that would provide unprecedented protection to the right to keep and bear arms guaranteed by both the state and federal constitutions:
· House Bill 40: If enacted, House Bill 40 would make Pennsylvania the 24th state in the nation to adopt the Castle Doctrine to fully restore the legal ability of law-abiding gun owners to use lethal force to defend themselves outside of their homes, businesses, automobiles or in state parks against violent criminals. In addition, it would offer specific protection against civil liability for the lawful use of force in self-defense.
· House Bill 1541: The Private Firearm Ownership Protection Act targets cities such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and all other local government entities that have or plan to violate Section 6120 of the Pennsylvania Criminal Code that specifically prohibits local firearm laws. House Bill 1541 would require any offending jurisdiction to reimburse any plaintiff or organization that successfully challenges an illegal local firearm ordinance for actual damages, reasonable attorney fees and other legal costs.
"The right to keep and bear arms is the one right that we as citizens possess that guarantees the existence of all other rights," Gabler said. "It is such a shame that there are those in our society and in our Government who would try to infringe on this right. I am proud to stand with my constituents and with my like-minded colleagues in support of our God-given rights that have been guaranteed by the Constitution."
"As a state representative, I rely heavily on the clear-cut guidelines provided by our state and federal constitutions that I have sworn an oath to uphold and defend whenever questions involving our most cherished individual liberties come before me," said Oberlander. "Since Governor Rendell has taken an identical oath of office, many of my constituents have repeatedly asked me, in no uncertain terms, what part of our Second Amendment 'right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed' does the governor and other gun banning politicians fail to understand? Clearly, the safety and welfare of our citizenry cannot be guaranteed if we allow our status as gun owners to be reduced to silent, second-class citizens, which is exactly why I uncompromisingly and unapologetically support this common-sense, life-saving legislation."
e-mail from House Republican Public Relations
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