Kratovil On H.R. 45

Dear Mr. X:

Thank you for contacting my office to share your thoughts on H.R. 45, the Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act. As your Representative, I am guided by the perspectives of my constituents and our common goals of restoring fiscal responsibility to our federal government, revitalizing our economy, protecting the Chesapeake Bay and preserving the agricultural heritage of our communities.

Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009 was introduced by Representative Bobby Rush on January 6, 2009 and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Among its provisions, H.R. 45 would create a new federal firearms transfer reporting and record-keeping system, administered by the Attorney General of the United States. The bill would require any citizen purchasing a firearm to register with and submit fingerprints to the Attorney General, and would require a purchaser to authorize the release of certain health records to the Attorney General as part of the application and registration process. A citizen owning firearms would be required to notify federal authorities upon moving to a new address or transferring a firearm to another individual.

While the goal of reducing gun violence is admirable, I have strong reservations about a number of the provisions in this bill that appear to violate the Constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. Consequently, I would oppose the Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act should it be considered before the full House of Representatives.

As a supporter of the Second Amendment, I am concerned about any legislation that could impede an individual's Constitutional right to bear arms. I understand the need for reasonable measures to keep our streets safe, but as a former prosecutor I believe that we ought to be enforcing existing gun laws rather than passing new restrictions on law-abiding citizens.

Furthermore, the creation of an overarching federal firearms registry would undermine the traditional right of individual states to set their own firearms policies.

Here in Maryland's First District, gun ownership, hunting, and recreational shooting are more than just Constitutional rights; these activities are also a part of our culture and our heritage. I am, and will continue to be, an advocate for the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding citizens.

Please do not hesitate to contact me again in the future regarding issues that concern you. I believe that continuous communication with the residents of the First District is essential to helping me be an effective advocate for you in Congress. To stay informed, please visit my website at www.house.gov/kratovil.

Thank you again for contacting me and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,Frank M. Kratovil, Jr.

Member of Congress