Talk about Double-Speak! If Senator Hagan feels so strongly about the Second Amendment as she says, what else is there to consider. Maybe she should consider that every gun owner in NC will vote her out of office if she votes to ratify this UN Small Arms Treaty.
July 26, 2012
Dear Friend,
Thank you for contacting me regarding Second Amendment rights. I greatly appreciate your thoughts on this important matter.
As you know, in 2006 the United Nations (UN) began discussions regarding an Arms Trade Treaty. While the United States originally opposed these discussions, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has more recently stated that the United States would support and participate in these talks. In October 2009, the UN adopted, by a vote of 153-1 with the United States in support, a resolution laying out a timetable for negotiations. However, even should a treaty be signed, it would require the approval of two-thirds of the Senate before it would be considered ratified and in effect.
I understand your concerns regarding the protection of Second Amendment rights and I oppose allowing international law to override our constitutional rights. Like you, I support the Second Amendment. My family, like the great state of North Carolina, has a long tradition of hunting and gun ownership, and I take great pride in that heritage. Already during my time in Congress, I have voted on various pieces of legislation that protect Second Amendment rights, including to correct the District of Columbia’s overly-strict firearm regulations in order to protect Second Amendment rights in our nation’s capital.
President Obama has not sent any treaty regarding gun control to the Senate; however, I can assure you I will take your opinions and comments into account as I consider this important issue.