When the National Rifle Association talks, our representative, Scott Tipton, listens. Why? He received substantial campaign contributions from the NRA. In return, he co-sponsored the Concealed Carry Act of 2017, which would allow anyone licensed to carry a concealed weapon in one state to carry it nationwide. The bill has passed the House of Representatives.
The NRA claims that we have a Second Amendment right to bear automatic weapons. Not true! Seven states and the District of Columbia have legally banned automatic weapons. After the Sandy Hook school massacre, Connecticut banned the sale of 183 types of weapons determined to be “weapons of war.” The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that banning assault weapons is constitutional because Second Amendment protections do not apply to weapons of war. In other words, the Constitution does not enable we the people to arm ourselves as if we were in the army.
The NRA is wrong, and when Scott Tipton listens to them, he is wrong, too. Federal bills to ban assault weapons are now in both chambers of Congress; the House bill is HB 5087. Now is the time for Tipton to listen to the people. Now is the time for Tipton to show integrity. Congressman Tipton, support the assault weapon ban, or we will elect a congressional representative who will.
James Cunningham
Durango
