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H.R. 17, The Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2009 (49 comments ↓)
H.R. 17 would protect the right to obtain firearms for security, and to use firearms in defense of self, family, or home, and to provide for the enforcement of such right.
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Visitor Comments 
arthur
January 9, 2009, 7:42pm (report abuse)Yeah. Any Bill protecting individual constitutional rights has no chance in a large majority Democratic Congress.
K. Walker
January 12, 2009, 5:09am (report abuse)If you read this bill, you will notice a part that says Congress finds the following: "Police cannot protect, and are not legally liable for failing to protect, individual citizens..." The same section mentions that the police are only to protect the public at large.
That is truly sad. The sole, legitimate, function of the government is to protect its citizens. What is a country, or a "public at large", if not a collection of individuals? There is a serious problem with our once great country, and it is only getting worse.
I would urge anyonoe reading this bill to ask their elected officials to give their full support to H.R. 17.
Freedom First
January 12, 2009, 11:59am (report abuse)The supreme court ruled in the last five years or so, that you do not have a right to police protection. Their justification for this, if you have right to police protection (a service by the way) then you would be able to hold the government liable if they are not able to uphold this right. Since it is impossible to have police at your door at a whim it would put the government (i.e. the public) at a huge monetary liablity any time they cannot secure that right. Therefore, our founding fathers in their almost infinite wisdom gave us the second amendment, so we can protect ourselves. The problem with people in this country is that we want to defer our responsiblities of taking care of ourselves to someone else. One other thing... When seconds count the police are only a minute away!
Kevin
January 12, 2009, 6:50pm (report abuse)Why should this bill be necessary? We already have the second amendment.
Nevis
January 12, 2009, 11:06pm (report abuse)In Response to: Kevin
Not if HR 45 passes. SOmeone is really working overtime to take away the 2nd Amendment.
Bendigo
January 14, 2009, 1:48pm (report abuse)This is absolutely amazing that this is even a bill. We need congress to vote in a bill that will give us a right to self defense with firearms? This country is going left so quick I can't even believe it.
We already have this right. The bill we need is one that says, After a person breaks the law, they cannot press charges on the person or place they victimized. Pass a bill that protects the people this way, not some BS bill that is already a right.
I hate how they try to take away our rights and then try and pass a bill like this, like they are giving us this right. We already have this right, stop trying to confuse the uneducated ignorant American with this BS.
Chris in Baghdad
January 14, 2009, 11:09pm (report abuse)Yes, we have this right in the Constitution, but when our president elect talks down about it, it's nice to know that there is at least one person in Washington who would author a bill to protect our rights.
I strongly urge every American to read Armed Response by David Kenik. It talks about firearm basics AND the logic behind why every American should own firearms. Police simply cannot protect us 24/7. Each unarmed citizen would have to have at least 2-3 in shifts as escorts to just to watch over you. Hardly reliable, or realistic- which is why police usually investigate crimes AFTER the fact. There is only so much they can do... and we certainly don't want to have our rights stripped and become subject to a national police force.
Sean
January 20, 2009, 11:50pm (report abuse)Obama will do nothing but destroy our rights. Any law that can protect my right of self defense gets an A in my book. The next four years are going to be bad.
Tom in Michigan
January 23, 2009, 11:49am (report abuse)In Canada, if one uses firearm in self-defense, one WILL be charged with a crime and prosecuted. No matter what the circumstances.
Don't take ANY of our gun rights for granted.
Brian in Washington
January 25, 2009, 1:11am (report abuse)This is a common sense bill that if it makes it through committee. call your reps to support this bill
WashingtonArmory
January 25, 2009, 5:00pm (report abuse)This IS common sense legislation at it's finest. we should not even wait until it is out of commitee. on the chance that your congressmen are on the commitees that this bill is referred to (and trust me it will be referred to many just to hold it up) Speak now and be heard!
Justin
January 27, 2009, 11:18am (report abuse)This is a waste of tax-payer money. The second amendment already guarantees the right to arms. I'm against allowing citizens to have automatic weapons or other "weapons of war", but agree to allowing small arms and semi-automatic rifles. However that has no bearing on why I'm against this bill. This is just one of those bills that makes a politician look good to his "followers", but doesn't actually do anything and wastes time that could be spent on fixing our economy and other more pressing matters.
LaJuana
January 29, 2009, 3:54pm (report abuse)We cannot allow even the smallest infringment on our right to bare arms! The left is in the process of taking away our freedoms one small step at a time. They have been doing so for years now. The conservatives have been too busy making a living and paying taxes to pay much attention to what they were doing but the time has come that we had better pay attention.
bill fiaccone
January 30, 2009, 4:06pm (report abuse)I'm 62 years old. If I go to prison for protecting myself or my family, so be it. I will never give up my guns.
Travis In IDAHO
February 2, 2009, 2:27pm (report abuse)Everybody needs to read this and tell other people about this support HR-17 and speak out against HR-45 because if you dont STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS then what makes you think UNCLE OBAMA AND THE NEW CLINTON ADMINISTATION IS IS GOING TO STAN UP FOR YOU!!! Their not that is why we have HR-45. TELL EVERYBODY AND BE PISSED OFF ABOUT IT, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO.
Archie
February 3, 2009, 5:21pm (report abuse)I cannot believe that this kind of talking is going on even though talk is healthy but debating the issue, 'do we have the right to "self defense and the right to protect ourselves and property", and I SAY YES WE DO. Criminal mishchiefs and actions have been going on more in numbers of offenses and this element needs to know we will defend ourselves, and property.
ARCHIE in Florida
February 3, 2009, 5:25pm (report abuse)We have the right to defend ourselves and property against the criminal element and our Florida Attorney General agrees with that matter up front. When the Criminal Element realizeses that victums of there prey will defend themselves maybe just maybe the crime rate will drop and those low lifes will think twice before subjecting there deviateness on others.
Rick PA
February 5, 2009, 7:10pm (report abuse)Seems like double talk. Sounds good compared to other legislation we have seen lately. But it is not as strong as the 2ed amendment, so therefore it may weaken our stance. We don’t need more laws; we need to get rid of a lot of them.
Ron in Washington State
February 8, 2009, 9:22pm (report abuse)While the 2nd does give us the right to have arms it does little to protect our rights to use arms. Clear examples are stated in the bill where the victim of a crime was prosecuted for protecting himself. To me, this would be a welcome supporting law to the 2nd.
James in MO
February 9, 2009, 5:04pm (report abuse)Justin shows his youth and inexperience. Time spent writing laws to protect our rights is their job and time well spent. It is NOT their job to "bail out" the economy. Government intervention is the problem not the answer.
Jim
February 12, 2009, 2:39pm (report abuse)Uncle Sambo is islamic and is setting this country up so its citizens cannot defend itself against foreign entites, or the police that the left wing wants to turn us into! Defend your 2nd amendment rights at all costs.
Libertarian
February 14, 2009, 2:09pm (report abuse)The part about "not responsible 2 protect" , media not responsible even w/ proven that they intentionally lied, Illegal loan/banking practices made legal via an executive order= All via klinton & the demonkraps. Old 90's news.
NY BoB
February 16, 2009, 6:53pm (report abuse)With out reading the bill I'll just comment on the title.I have a God given right to self defense and its my job as a father to protect my family.I have a good size yard and lots of woods.By the way did i mention I also have a shovel.
rev
February 17, 2009, 9:14am (report abuse)State law supercedes fed law in Connecticut if a home invasion happens you must retreat to futherest corner of the futherest and room and confront your attacker with like for like force.Check YOUR state laws!!
Gene
February 19, 2009, 8:32pm (report abuse)This is a good bill in as it protects us from over aggressive police members, layers who are trying to get into public offices and want a nice juicy lawsuit to put them in the press, and family members of the would be assailant who would try to sue for damages caused "in self defense".
Erik durbin
February 20, 2009, 9:17pm (report abuse)Voting against this bill is a slap in the face to law-abiding citizens.
CF
March 2, 2009, 8:52am (report abuse)I have a hard time believing so many smarts in one place comes up with some stupid stuff. This has to come about because they're taking everyones guns so only the criminals have them
Smart Hippie
March 5, 2009, 11:20pm (report abuse)In the beginning it says that the bill will protect the right to OBTAIN firearms for security...
The second amendment states "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." It was originally suppose to prevent the national government from repeating the actions of the British, who tried to take weapons away from the colonial militia. The amendment seems to support the right of citizens to own firearms, but the Supreme Court has ruled that it does not prevent Congress from regulating the interstate sale of weapons. I think this bill needs to be rewritten. It does hit some fine points in it, but some of it is not very... I guess you can say it won't be very effective.
Wade
March 6, 2009, 9:13pm (report abuse)I leave it simple, you can have my guns when you pry them from my dead lifeless fingers
Martin K.
March 22, 2009, 9:12pm (report abuse)I oppose this bill on the basis that the 2nd amendment already gives us this right. Such a bill implies we do not have that right otherwise and only Congress can grant us the rights we hold dear. I would support this in the form of a concurrent resolution though.
WildBill
April 28, 2009, 12:04am (report abuse)The need for this bill is an insult. But need it we do. If only to protect us from our own government and courts. A Big thank-you to all who voted for Osama, opps, I mean Obama. But take your pick.
Dan
May 4, 2009, 12:07pm (report abuse)Notice all the examples are from before Clinton's crime bill that added police and reduced weapons. Funny how murders dropped in half over the 8 years after that. And the Oak Park issues is moot after the Supreme Court ruling. If you can't defend yourself with a revolver and speed loader you shouldn't be owning a gun.
horny
May 21, 2009, 12:43pm (report abuse)i think all u [profanity] should go and [profanity]................so how u like them apples...........im surprised obama became pres i mean he is blackkkk
horny
May 21, 2009, 12:45pm (report abuse)hey sean or who ever the f**k u are u can take your racist *ss coments and shove them up your loose *ss u dumb [profanity] =]
MisterJones
May 25, 2009, 1:49pm (report abuse)Just to set everybody stright,the police are not your friends,they are not here to protect and serve.They are here to harass and arrest.Who do you think they serve?Answer-the govt. the very same people who want to take away your rights.The reason the police are for taking away your guns is it makes it easy for them to rule you.
Chief
July 9, 2009, 12:47pm (report abuse)Horny....when you Bashed George Bush.. I never called you racist...just because SEAN does not like having a DEMOCRATIC screw up in the White House does not mean he is racist. Get over yourself the only racist person I see here is YOU!!!!!
oSaMa oops...OBAMA has done enough damage to our country already...we just don't want our children left with the burden of paying for your welfare checks!
Chief
July 9, 2009, 1:04pm (report abuse)Back to the real world...lol
This bill is very important....it can make or break future plans for the Lefty's...we have a president trying to take our rights away.. and he is doing it in a smooth move operation so that most people do not notice it happening. It is also happening with our media...he(OBAMA) has more control over that then the average Joe knows!
This has nothing to do with being black or white...it has to do with rights/no rights.
I say we all need to start stock piling our ammo and weapons ...its gonna get nasty! Protect yourself...don't relie on your government....hide...your guns and ammo..in a very safe location.
David Perritt
July 9, 2009, 1:53pm (report abuse)They used words to DECLARE then BLOOD was shed to enforce! All your words are good but they are only words. You are all PUSSIES! : No one can take away from ou if you understand what laws and where the laws came from that gave these men their power and success. Think on these things!! Your words are good but consider the cost, remember it is only a matter of time before this country falls apart, and I GUARANTEE it will!! READ HERE and discover your job!!:CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
hen in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
Read ALL THE DECLARATION IT WONT FIT HERE
johnsontj
(logged in user) July 15, 2009, 7:29am (report abuse)This appears to clarify and reinforce the 2nd Amendment. Some (including Sonia Sotomayor), argue the 2nd Amendment only applies to militia members. Many states and localities have laws in place that severely restrict your rights to OWN and/or USE firearms under the 2nd Amendment. I would like to see this bill amended to (off the top of my head), include no restrictions or onerous taxation of firearms or ammunition. I guess we've all heard the rumor of how King Obama wants to place a 500% tax on ammunition... Also, maybe something to include carrying in your vehicle, where you often have your family together and the ever-present risk of a car-jacking. Even if your state allows you to keep a firearm in your vehicle, there are often places where you can NOT keep it - when you cross a state line, the laws might change but you have no idea if they have or what they are. I don't think it would take anything away from the 2nd Amendment but could offer a lot of consistency between states.
Matt T.
July 21, 2009, 9:02am (report abuse)I would like to know the status of this bill as of today - 7/21/09. Anybody know???
Greg
(logged in user) July 22, 2009, 5:02pm (report abuse)The biggest no brainer in the history of earth
Freedom
August 24, 2009, 10:23am (report abuse)Our constitution should be up held regardless. We have a right to be able to defend ourselves when the need arises period.
Will
August 24, 2009, 7:58pm (report abuse)Say no to this bill. We do not need more guns, we need a civilized society. Arming citizens does not make anyone safer. The 2nd amendment is a collective right, not an individual right. We need government to stop pandering to gun nuts.
Jack P
August 29, 2009, 2:29pm (report abuse)We do not need this bill in Georgia. Our State legislature provides the right to self defense, a castle doctrine, and a stand your ground right. Also, we are immune from suit when exercising these rights. It doesn't get any better than that.
In Georgia
September 15, 2009, 3:53pm (report abuse)We do need this bill to protect our gun rights. In Georgia you are only immune from suit if a grand jury decides you were right and your life has to be in danger for that to happen. This bill will protect our gun rights and thus equaling govt/citizen power as the constitution meant it to be. You can be civilized and still own a gun.
Ryan
October 26, 2009, 10:38am (report abuse)You know fightin' bout all this is pointless,I agree that this bill is importan becuase i would like to keep my guns but congress needs to get their heads out of each others buttholes and pass the thing or we are all in trouble becuase we all know that cops are too lazy to keep up with thier job.
Ryan
October 26, 2009, 10:51am (report abuse)If this isn't passed well then i got fryin' pans and other assorted objects in my house to protect myself and my family well hey i got kitchen knifes i got baseball bats so what's gonna stop us from usin' those things if this doesn't pass?
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