At the beginning of our nation, firearms ownership was more of an obligation than a right.

It was the experiences of the founding fathers that led them to understand that individual firearm ownership was at the root of their liberty.

This understanding was expressed during the States' ratification debates on the Constitution. The Bill of Rights gave us Americans no rights, but instead guaranteed that that those inalienable rights we had would not be infringed upon. The debate on the Second Amendment was the longest debate during the Congressional Bill of Rights debate in Congress.

When it was suggested that the Government supply weapons to the citizens, so as to guarantee that each citizen rich or poor had an adequate weapon to bring to his militia when called upon to serve, the objections were loud and strong.

It was argued that were the government to supply the weapons, there would be an inferred right of governmental ownership to those guns, and the government might seize them, using ownership as a basis for confiscation.

It was felt that each citizen, regardless of how poor they were, would bring the best weapon they could afford. They assumed each citizen had a weapon worthy of using in battle.

Individual firearms ownership was never questioned. It was a derivative English Common Law right.

The Bill of Rights was established to protect the States and the Citizens from an overly strong and ambitious Federal Government (From a national government as Patrick Henry and others correctly feared) The Second Amendment was to prevent the need for a standing army (a mercenary army, an all volunteer army,) “The bane of liberty,” according to Elbridge Gerry during the debates on the Second Ammendment; an army which could be used at the will of an overly strong executive to involve us in unnecessary foreign excursions.

Firearms ownership and militia practice along with voting were considered obligations, not “merely” rights.

I fully support the individual right to own guns that are adequate for self-protection and those that mimic weapons used by our military.

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It was American’s familiarity with military capable weapons - from the compact handgun, the useful shotgun and the specialized rifle - that allowed the creation of powerful citizen armies when needed.

As economic times are tough and will remain so for the foreseeable future, the burden for protection will and should fall upon the individual citizen. Citizens will need to be prepared now and in the future, as they were in the past.

I am an NRA Certified Safety Instructor; was a Federally licensed Class Two and Class Three Firearms Dealer.

I support a Federal reciprocity law for Concealed Weapon permit holders. I also believe that firearms carried in the trunk of a car, or in stored luggage on a plane or train or bus being transported across state lines should be allowed without interference.

As a Congressman I would propose a one time firearms safety test to be given to all citizens who wish to own and use firearms. The resulting qualification permit would remain with that individual for the entirety of their life. It would be apart from any criminal background check, and its possession could not be rescinded. It would not be required to purchase a firearm. It would not be associated with any firearm. In a sense, it would be a general firearms use permit as is the carry permit for concealed carry. Unlike the carry permit, it would not require a background check. I would have no objection if this program were funded by the Federal Government through its original obligation to organize the militia, and be administered by the states for a nominal fee. I would heartily approve of firearm safety being a requisite course in schools, and the test being associated with the schools’ curriculum.