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From A private Citizen on the topic HR 45....this is Cantwell's response:
Just got this via e-mail today from ms maria cantwell who is one of two people representing us in this state of washington. Needless to say I wrote her back expressing my complete unabridged displeasure with her and her ilk. Please read this CAREFULLY and take a couple minutes to write her and express your displeasure with her. If this bill goes through we are totally defenseless & literally screwed!
Thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009 (H.R. 45). I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.
As you know, Representative Bobby Rush (IL-1) introduced H.R. 45 on January 6, 2009. If enacted, this legislation would amend the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit a person from possessing a firearm unless that individual has been issued a firearm license under this Act or a state system certified under this Act and such license has not been invalidated or revoked.
An individual wishing to acquire a license would be required to submit an application including, among other information, a passport-sized photograph, a statement that the individual is not prohibited from obtaining a firearm, and a certificate attesting to the completion of a written firearms examination. It would prohibit transferring or receiving a qualifying firearm unless the recipient presents a valid firearms license, the license is verified, and the dealer records a tracking authorization number. Finally, the legislation would also prescribe firearms transfer reporting and record keeping requirements and direct the Attorney General to establish and maintain a federal record of sale system. H.R. 45 has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary where it awaits further consideration. There is no companion bill currently pending in the Senate.
You should know that I take our Constitution very seriously. It is a most fundamental goal for me as your Senator to work to uphold the rights guaranteed by our founding document. Furthermore, I know that recreational use and collection of guns for hunting, sport, and other activities is extremely important to you and many other law-abiding Washingtonians.
Just as I am committed to protecting Second Amendment rights, I believe you would agree with my long-standing conviction that we must keep guns out of the hands of criminals and children. I believe that our first step in preventing further criminal and youth gun violence should be stricter enforcement of responsible gun laws that punish criminal use of firearms and that make access to guns harder for children and criminals.
As your Senator, you can be assured that I will work to protect the legitimate rights of law-abiding American gun-owners, while continuing to support responsible gun control legislation to reduce crime and make our communities safer. I believe both of these goals are important and can be simultaneously accomplished through common-sense gun laws and stricter enforcement of existing laws.
Please be assured that I will keep you views in mind should H.R. 45 move to be considered in the Senate.
Thank you again for contacting me to share your thoughts on this matter. You may also be interested in signing up for periodic updates for Washington state residents. If you are interested in subscribing to this update, please visit my website at http://cantwell.senate.gov. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,Maria Cantwell
United States Senator. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue