By Glen Wunderlich

Upon taking office, the President and Senators-elect must swear or affirm that they will “support and defend the Constitution.”  

The oath is required by the Constitution; the wording is prescribed by law.  “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of (insert title here) of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”  The Founders declared that governments are created by people to secure their rights and they wanted to make sure our leaders agree before they get to work.

However, when Senate amendment 139 was proposed and voted on this past March 23^rd, the Congressional record indicates some 46 U.S. Senators voted against it, with the purpose described in the amendment’s language this way:  “To uphold Second Amendment rights and prevent the United States from entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty.”

And, yes, our Senators Levin and Stabenow were among 46 legislators – all Democrats with one “Independent” – against the measure to protect our rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Fortunately, for freedom-loving Americans, the amendment was supported by 53 members of the Senate and it passed.

Partisanship?  We’ve got it, alright!  Good thing, too. 

The U.N. Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), also strongly supported by President Obama and Secretary Kerry, includes“small arms and light weapons” among its terms, with no exception for firearms owned by law-abiding citizens. And the treaty’s text urges recordkeeping of gun buyers, asking importing countries to provide information including “end use or end user documentation” for a “minimum of 10 years.”

The draft states, “Each State Party shall establish and maintain a national control system to regulate the export of ammunition for conventional arms.” Article 12 of the treaty “encourages” signatory nations to compile “records” of all“end users” of firearms imported into their county — and to supply this sensitive personal information to the government of the exporting country.

So, if a citizen were to purchase a Russian shotgun, the treaty could force that information into the hands of foreigners.  It is gun registration by no other name. 

We hear much about “universal background checks” and how such a system is one tool to minimize gun violence, but Read more

The Illinois House of Representatives spent little time yesterday in voting 77-31 to override anti-gun Governor Pat Quinn’s “amendatory veto” of concealed carry legislation. The Senate held considerable debate, but ultimately voted 41-17 to override Quinn, paving the way for concealed carry. The vote is seen as a serious political setback for Quinn and his attempt to make significant changes to the law passed last week. Read more