This is an email from Senator Roger Wicker to Tarzan Treadway, a long time member of our group, South MS Tea Party, regarding his vote on the procedural motion on the gun rights restrictions bill ,S. 649, on 4/11/2013.

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From: Senator Roger Wicker [mailto:DONOT_REPLY@wicker.senate.gov]
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2013 01:25 PM
To: Tarzan Treadway
Subject: Reply from Senator Roger Wicker

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for the constitutional right of law-abiding Americans to keep and bear arms.  I am glad to have the benefit of your views on this important issue.

 Since coming to Congress in 1995, I have consistently voted to protect our Second Amendment freedoms and will continue to do so.  On April 11, 2013, I supported, along with 15 other Republican Senators, a procedural motion on debating S. 649, the so-called Safe Schools Act. 

 I believe that S. 649 is deeply flawed legislation, and I oppose the measure.  However, this vote signals the opening of a robust debate that will put the Senate on record regarding a basic constitutional right.  Far from shrinking from it, I welcome such a discussion and believe it is long overdue.  

 The Founding Fathers conceived of the U.S. Senate as the proper forum for public deliberation of this kind.  Law-abiding gun owners should not be put on the defensive when it comes to a fundamental American freedom.

 In addition, contrary to the intent of the bill's authors, bringing this measure to the floor gives us the opportunity to vote to add provisions to strengthen gun rights, such as an amendment to protect veterans from unfair restrictions when purchasing a firearm.  I would filibuster passage of a final bill that contained any increased, gun restrictions or a weapons ban.

 I have worked to protect and preserve the Second Amendment.  Rather than adding new laws and regulatory burdens, Congress should focus on ways to make existing laws more effective.  The goal should be to increase safety and punish criminals – not unfairly hurt law-abiding gun owners.

 Be assured that as Congress considers gun control legislation I will continue to defend our right to bear arms.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of assistance.

 With best wishes, I am

             Sincerely yours,

            Roger F. Wicker
            U.S. Senate