I melted down on this poor guy a few weeks back about the Mexico thing and the 2A in general. Here is his response.
Thank you for contacting me about Attorney General Eric Holder's discussion of the reinstatement of the assault weapons ban. I appreciate hearing from you.
On February 25, Attorney General Holder held a press conference on recent federal arrests of alleged drug cartel members and the seizure of millions of dollars in drug proceeds and millions more in actual drugs. During Attorney General Holder's discussion of the crippling drug-related violence that has ravaged Mexico over the past year, a reporter asked Mr. Holder how the U.S. was helping to stem the influx of heavy weapons being used by drug cartel members against government forces. Among other options being explored, Mr. Holder referenced the potential reinstatement of the assault weapons ban that President Obama had supported during his campaign.
I am skeptical that a renewal of the assault weapons ban will reduce violent crime. When the ban was in effect, many firearm manufacturers made cosmetic changes to their firearms to avoid being covered by the ban. I believe there are more effective ways to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.
I am neither a member of any groups that support either side of the gun control debate, nor do I agree with any one philosophy regarding gun control. I do believe, however, that Congress has a responsibility to pass effective crime control legislation which will actually do something to eliminate crime and protect the public from violence. It is important to ensure that American citizens are not giving aid, intentionally or unintentionally, to drug cartels and enemies of our neighbors.
As a native Vermonter, I grew up hunting and fishing and these experiences influence my approach to gun control issues. I have owned firearms since I was 14 years old and often enjoy target shooting with my friends and family in Vermont. I understand that the vast majority of gun owners in Vermont and around the country use and enjoy their firearms in a responsible and safe way, and I do not support efforts to ban the transfer of firearms between law abiding citizens or to require national registration of firearms.
I consider legislative proposals regarding gun control on the merits of those proposals and vote on them accordingly. Should the reinstatement of the assault weapons ban or any similar legislation come before the Senate, I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please keep in touch.
Patrick Leahy
PATRICK LEAHY
United States Senator
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