Griffith Champions Amendment to Defend Civil Liberties, Protect Lawful Transportation of FirearmsHouse Passes Sportsmen’s Bill with Griffith Amendment
Friday,
February 26, 2016
|
Andie Pivarunas
(202-225-3861)
Tags:
Second Amendment
“Current federal law or the Second Amendment of the Constitution should neither be misinterpreted nor ignored to prevent law-abiding, responsible gun owners from traveling throughout the country with firearms so long as they are in compliance with federal law while in transit. I am pleased my colleagues have joined me in supporting this amendment, and will continue working to protect Second Amendment protections for law abiding gun owners, hunters, and sportsmen.”
Today, in a vote of 242 to 161, the House of Representatives passed the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act (H.R. 2406), a package of bills that aims to protect Second Amendment rights and guarantee Americans ample access to federal lands in order to hunt, fish, and recreationally shoot. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09) introduced an amendment to the bill that would strengthen federal protections for law-abiding Americans traveling with firearms. The amendment, which was based on Griffith’s standalone legislation entitled the Protecting Lawful Transportation of Firearms Act (H.R. 131), passed in a vote of 239 to 165. While the amendment was supported by the bill’s chief sponsor, Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), opposition to the amendment was led by Congressman Don Beyer (R-VA-08). Griffith said, “Current federal law or the Second Amendment of the Constitution should neither be misinterpreted nor ignored to prevent law-abiding, responsible gun owners from traveling throughout the country with firearms so long as they are in compliance with federal law while in transit. I am pleased my colleagues have joined me in supporting this amendment, and will continue working to protect Second Amendment protections for law abiding gun owners, hunters, and sportsmen.” Video can be viewed here of Griffith speaking today on the floor of the House in support of his amendment. BACKGROUND: In 1986, Congress passed the Firearm Owners’ Protection Act (FOPA), which included protections for individuals transporting firearms between places where they are legally allowed to have them (18 U.S.C. § 926A). While most states comply with FOPA’s ‘safe passage’ provision, some states continue to harass and detain travelers who are abiding by federal law. Additionally, because of numerous improper prosecutions, a cottage industry of lawyers handling the defense of these cases has developed around New York City airports. The National Rifle Association, which supports the Griffith amendment, cites these recent examples:
Griffith’s amendment puts an end to these practices and makes it clear that the rights of American citizens can no longer be ignored. A responsible gun owner legally transporting a firearm, stopping overnight, filling up at the gas station, or stopping for an emergency would be protected. The legal burden of providing a violation would now fall to the states, where it belongs, and provides for the possibility of compensation for those unlawfully prosecuted. ### |
Stay Connected
Use the form below to sign up for my newsletter and get the latest news and updates directly to your inbox.