Seip backs gun rights

Editor:

As the elected representative of the 125th Legislative District, I feel compelled to address the governor’s call for more gun legislation and report my position to the 61,513 residents I represent.  It is unfortunate that more media outlets did not publish information contained in my Feb. 6 news release which outlined my position on many key issues Gov. Rendell spoke about in his budget address.  That statement and other information can be found on my Web site, www.pahouse.com/seip.

I strongly disagree with the governor’s call for more legislation that would serve to limit or restrict the Pennsylvania Constitution and the specific rights outlined in its declaration of rights. The Pennsylvania Constitution is very clear: Article 1, section 21, entitled “Right to Bear Arms,” states the following: “The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.”

It is one thing to craft legislation to target habitual criminals who brazenly violate firearms statutes. Depending on the details, I could support those efforts. 

However, I am against any restrictions on purchases for law-abiding citizens. Squeezing law-abiding citizens to curb gun violence is like squeezing property owners to solve the property tax problem. As your elected state representative, I took an oath to support and defend the constitution, and I intend to do just that.

Tim Seip

State Representative

125th Legislative District