"When Congress returns to Washington at the conclusion of its summer recess, the Senate should avoid ratification of an anti-sovereignty gun control treaty, and Congress should recognize national reciprocity for the authorized carrying of concealed firearms," John M. Snyder said here today.
A former National Rifle Association editor, Snyder is Public Affairs Director of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and a Director of Council for America. Shotgun News recently recognized him as the senior rights activist in Washington.
"President Obama, whose poll numbers seem to be falling by the day," explained Snyder, "has urged the Senate to ratify CIFTA, the proposed Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials. The proposal does not define explicitly what 'illicit' means. Ratification, however, would bind the United States to 'adopt the necessary legislative or other measures to establish as criminal offenses under their domestic law the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, ammunition, explosives and other related materials.'
"It would convey from the United States to an international convention the authority to undermine American sovereignty by delineating legal obligations of American citizen gun owners and firearm manufacturers despite Second Amendment protection of individual gun rights. It is an obvious proposal to cut a chunk out of American sovereignty in an effort to take away Americans' civil rights. The Senate must not ratify it"
On the other hand, Snyder noted, "Congress has the opportunity to do something for the American people by enacting national reciprocity for the carrying of concealed firearms by individuals with state issued permits to carry concealed firearms. In much the same way as licensed automobile drivers can drive cars throughout the United States, licensed concealed firearm carriers should be able to carry their concealed guns throughout the country. Eighty-three percent of the people support concealed carry, according to a Zogby poll.
"With 57 percent of the voters ready to give Congress the heave-ho, according to Rasmussen Reports, enacting national reciprocity for concealed carry might enable Congress to begin to redeem itself with the American people. All Representatives and many Senators face voters in 14 months in the mid-term congressional elections. It's time for them to wake up and wise up, to reject the false promoters of political correctness, and to listen instead to the voices of their constituents"
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