Hall Misfires, Opposes Gun Rights

Votes Straight-out Against 2^nd Amendment Protections

Washington- Rep. John Hall (D-NY) let it be known today that he has no interest in protecting his constituents’ constitutional right to bear arms when he voted against upholding their 2^nd amendment rights (House Roll Call 277). There is no way for Hall to spin his way out of this, as it was a very simple yes or no vote:

“The Senate measure also contains a provision that bars the Interior Department from prohibiting individuals from possessing a gun in any national park or national wildlife refuge if such possession is permitted under state law. Currently, only two states and D.C. prohibit all individuals from carrying firearms, and would therefore not be currently affected by the bill's gun provision.” (CQ House Action Reports, May 19, 2009)

“The Senate bill put House Democrats in a tough spot, since they were effectively forced to take a vote against gun control…” (“Congress Approves Bill Restricting Credit Card Industry, Allowing Guns in Parks,” Fox News, May 20, 2009)

“John Hall took an oath to defend the United States Constitution and his vote today against upholding his constituents’ 2^nd Amendment rights flies in the face of his responsibility to represent New Yorkers,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “John Hall is clearly out-of-touch not only with his duties as a public servant, but also with his constituents’ interests and values.”

What’s worse yet is that Hall's position is grossly out-of-touch with not only his constituents, but the nation as a whole. His Democrat Leader in the House even admitted that the overwhelming majority of Americans want their constitutional rights under the 2^nd amendment to be preserved. Recent actions in Congress are a clear sign that any Democrat who doesn’t stand up for Americans’ right to bear arms, is not only on the wrong side of the issue, but isn’t representing their constituents’ interests:

“House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer admits that Democrats are conceding the gun issue to Republicans for now.

“Republicans have been increasingly using pro-gun amendments to throw a wrench into Democratic legislation, attaching amendments to seemingly unrelated bills allowing for expanded gun carrying privileges in national parks.

“The tactic seems to be working, with Democrats acknowledging that pro-gun members rule in both chambers.

"‘There clearly is a majority in both houses that the Second Amendment rights ... that relate to the national parks are too restricted,’ Hoyer told reporters Tuesday. ‘The reality is that a majority in both houses agree with that position.’" (Isenstadt, “Steny Hoyer says Democrats beaten on guns,” Politico, 5/20/09)