(NaturalNews) The state of Texas has a reputation for being fiercely independent, a trait that has been on display again recently as the Obama administration and some members of Congress consider sweeping new gun control legislation.
In response to legislative measures already proposed, as well as others said to be under consideration by the White House, a group of Texas lawmakers are laying down a gauntlet: New federal laws, regulations and policies found to be in violation of the Second Amendment will not be enforceable in the Lone Star State.
Led by state Rep. Steve Roth, R-The Woodlands, some lawmakers have "begun the process to file legislation assisting the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution,"
YourHoustonNews.com reported.
'We can no longer depend on the federal government'The bill, known as the "
Firearms Protection Act," would make any federal provision banning semi-automatic firearms or limiting the number of bullets in gun magazines unenforceable within state boundaries. Further, provisions in the bill make it a felony for anyone trying to enforce a federal gun ban in Texas.
"We can no longer depend on the federal government and this administration to uphold a Constitution that they no longer believe in," Toth said. "The liberties of the people of Texas and the sovereignty of our state are too important to just let the federal government take them away. The overreach of the federal administration's executive orders that do not align with the Constitution, are not very popular here in
Texas."
In addition to Wyoming, he said, Texas would lead the country in standing up for state sovereignty, and in particular the Second and Tenth Amendments, to "prevent misconstruction or abuse of [federal] powers...[to] extending the ground of public confidence in the government."
Growing number of voicesToth, along with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott - who has filed some 23 lawsuits against the federal government - says he will continue standing with other independence-minded Texans to encourage personal responsibility and liberty, while actively opposing those who seek to undermine those principles, he said.
Other Texas lawmakers and officials are opposed to new federal
gun control measures.
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst:
Like many Texans, I am very concerned about the federal government trying to impose its will on the states in violation of the Tenth Amendment. The examples are more and more outrageous - most recently with President Obama's proposals for gun control. I have always felt that law-abiding Americans deserve protection of their Second Amendment rights. As Lieutenant Governor, I will continue to preserve our Second Amendment rights and defend our state from further attacks by Washington. Here in Texas, we believe that government exists to empower people - not rule over them.U.S. Rep. John Culberson:
In response to the tragic Newtown shootings, President Obama is calling for drastic new restrictions on the ability of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. None of the 23 executive actions that the president proposed today would have prevented the horrible events in Newtown, but it does punish those of us that follow the letter of the law. I am outraged at the president's actions, and I feel it is an egregious violation of our Constitution. We would have been able to save lives at Sandy Hook Elementary and at Virginia Tech University if there had either been an armed police officer on campus or an exception to the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1991 enabling principals and teachers to obtain concealed carry permits under state law.
The right of self defense is absolute and is one of the most basic and sacred rights we have as Americans. The Second Amendment is written in plain English and is intended to absolutely guarantee the right of every American to keep and bear arms.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Second Amendment means what it says. We will not support, and in fact we will strongly oppose any legislation that prevents Americans from responsibly exercising their Second Amendment rights, including any attempt to prevent ownership of certain firearms or ammunition...State Rep. Greg Bonnen:
President Obama's statement this morning demonstrates to me his clear intent to infringe upon the 2nd Amendment rights of law abiding citizens and it is my intent to oppose any action by the Administration or the Congress to reinstate a so-called "assault weapons" ban or high-capacity magazine prohibition, both of which have been proven failures at effectively preventing gun crimes in the past.Source:http://www.yourhoustonnews.comhttp://www.naturalnews.comhttp://www.yourhoustonnews.com
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