Dear [ScaryYankeeChick],
Thank you for contacting my office regarding federal gun control legislation and the Presidential Actions put forward by President Obama on January 16, 2013.
As you may know, President Obama put forward a series of 23 Executive action items which the Administration believes will assist in reducing gun violence. These actions spread across a broad spectrum of approaches, ranging from a broader background check system, to further research on the causes and prevention of gun violence, to the nomination of Minnesota U.S. Attorney Todd Jones as the Director of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), to allowing funds to be used for the hiring of school resource officers to improve safety in schools, to assisting schools, houses of worship, and institutions of higher education develop emergency response plans. The full series of Presidential Actions may be reviewed at http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions.
Although the ability to issue policy changes through the Executive branch is a long-standing privilege of presidential administrations, I am concerned with any unilateral action that is meant to usurp the powers of the legislative branch as enumerated in the Constitution. Over the years, the balance of power initially envisioned by our founders has shifted dramatically, sometimes granting executive agencies far too much power to act and regulate unilaterally. Costly federal regulations are often a great burden on individual Americans and our traditional values.
I strongly defend the Second Amendment and generally oppose new gun control laws because they are burdensome on law-abiding-citizens who choose to own a firearm for a variety of good reasons such as hunting or protection. From the Adirondacks to the Finger Lakes, we’re blessed to live in a region with beautiful forests, lakes, and creeks here in Central New York. Enjoying the outdoors is part of our tradition. Hunting, recreational shooting, and trapping are not only healthy hobbies – they’re fundamental rights that need to be protected. The rights defined within the Second Amendment are vital to preserve those activities, and I have consistently voted to uphold it.
Supporters of increased gun control argue that if only Congress regulates more, perhaps human tragedies such as those directed towards the students and faculty of Sandy Hook Elementary School or Columbine High School, the patrons of the Century 16 movie theater in Aurora, or former Representative Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona could have been prevented. I believe we should punish violent criminals to the full extent of the law, especially repeat offenders, without unduly infringing upon the constitutional rights of law-abiding-citizens.
It is especially important to ensure that Executive branch agencies act in a manner that is responsible, appropriate, and most importantly, in accordance with our Constitution. No agency, organization or person is above the law and each shall be held to the highest degree of accountability. I do fear that such actions may infringe on the powers of the legislative branch as detailed in the Constitution. I will continue to monitor these events closely and participate in any conversation on the issues that transpires within the House of Representatives. I remain confident that in instances that appear to skirt the legal boundaries of our law, the Constitution will and should always prevail.
While I am sure you may not agree with every vote I cast representing you, you will always know my rationale for the decisions I make on the House floor. I am committed to open government and transparency, which is why I post updates from Washington and explanations for final passage votes on each House bill on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/reprichardhanna.
Please do not hesitate to contact any of my offices in the future if I or my staff can be of assistance. We work for you.
Warm Regards,
RICHARD HANNA
U.S. Representative