Mr,President, yesterday on the floor I discussed an initiative I launched called “Protect2A” to give a voice to the millions of Second Amendment supporters who are very concerned about Congress enacting any new gun control measures.

I am pleased to announce that we now have over 3000 responses from citizens all across this country who are sharing their stories, experiences, and opinions about why they feel we should do everything in our power to protect their Second Amendment rights.

I only had a brief time to share some of those stories yesterday, so I’d like to use some of my time today to share a few more:

Kathy

Virginia

My husband and I are senior citizens - he is a veteran of the U.S Army. Over the past several years, we have seen our constitutional rights trampled and twisted, until we know longer trust that our government has our well-being as it's primary concern. Last year, for the first time in our lives, we bought a gun, not only to ensure our safety against criminals, but to protect and defend our God given rights as citizens. The most basic right of all mankind, the right-to-life itself, no longer exists in this country. Protecting our rights, the few the government has left us, is of the utmost importance to us and we will do anything necessary to hold onto those rights, regardless of the source of the threats against them. God Bless America!!!

Emily

Pennsylvania

I am 19 years old and I want to protect myself as soon as I am legal to. As a young female living in Allentown, PA, I don't like walking in the city because I'm afraid of something happening to me. I believe in the power of the Constitution and especially my 2nd Amendment rights. I am a strong conservative who believes that the Constitution is our guiding power and not the cronyism that seems to blanket DC. The founding fathers knew what they were doing! As soon as I am legal I want to take gun safety classes and purchase a handgun of my very own. I like to think that I can protect my own life as well as another person whose life may be in danger. Gun control doesn't solve anything. Criminals will get guns no matter what. I want to be able to protect myself as well as someone else's. Please don't take away my 2nd Amendment rights!

William

Connecticut

On Tuesday, Feb. 11 2003, my brother was confronted by 3 armed thugs in a parking lot. Out of their stolen car, with a stolen shotgun they tried to rob him.  Much to their surprise my brother had his legally owned pistol (with a legal carry permit).  He thwarted this [attack] and saved his own life and held them at bay until police arrived. Without the 2^nd Amendment he would've been another victim to the growing street crime that these bills DO NOT ADDRESS !

You see, Mr. President, these are the rights we are trying to protect by requiring a 60 vote threshold on any new gun control legislation.  And in doing so, we are trying to prevent the ability of members to push through legislation before anyone has had time to read and evaluate the language and then tell the American people exactly what this means for their rights. 

Unfortunately, that is what we are faced with today.  Yesterday, Senators Toomey and Manchin announced a new proposal that is widely expected to replace the current language on background checks in this bill. Yet, as of this morning, not a single senator has been provided the legislative language of this provision.  Because the background check measure is the centerpiece of this legislation it is critical that we know what is in the bill before we vote on it. 

As I have argued on this floor, in the national media, and back home in Utah, we should not be legislating by using closed door, back room deals away from the eyes of the American people.  We should not be voting before we understand exactly how these proposals will affect the rights of law abiding citizens and whether we can say with any level of certainty that they will reduce crime. 

This is exactly why we need more debate and why I ask my colleagues to vote no on cloture – so senators and the American people can fully understand the consequences of this legislation.

Add your voice to protect the 2nd Amendment here