When the National Rifle Association (“NRA”) talks, our Representative Scott Tipton listens. Why? He received substantial campaign contributions from the NRA. In return, he cosponsored the Concealed Carry Act of 2017 which would allow anyone, licensed to carry a concealed weapon in one state, to carry it nationwide. The bill has passed the House of Representatives.

The NRA claims that we have a 2nd Amendment right to bear assault/automatic weapons. NOT SO! Seven states and the District of Columbia have legally banned assault/automatic weapons. After the Sandy Hook school massacre, Connecticut banned the sale of 183 types of weapons determined to be “weapons of war.”  Automatic weapons kill instantly and randomly (no marksmanship required); with three times the velocity of handguns, they leave few survivors. Organs and surrounding organs are decimated beyond repair, leaving the victim to bleed to death before help arrives. The exit wound can be as large as an orange.

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that the ban of assault weapons is constitutional because 2nd Amendment protections do not apply to weapons of war.  In other words, the Constitution does not enable we the people to arm ourselves as if we were a military ready to fight a government army. Even non-automatic weapons can be legally restricted for health and safety reasons.

The NRA is wrong. Thus, Tipton is wrong if he listens. Federal bills to ban assault weapons are now in both chambers of Congress; the House bill is HB 5087. Now is the time for Tipton to listen to the people. Now is the time for Tipton to show integrity. Support the ban or we will support the candidate who can.

Thanks,

A. M. Miller

Crestone