(2009-12-20) Many matters keep our attention on Washington these days, but gun control is not among them. After a backlash to Attorney General Holder’s initial endorsement of new restrictions last summer, majority leadership has carefully steered away, knowing that for now it is the ‘third rail’ not to touch. A strong bi-partisan show of force by pro-gun forces in Congress has not just deterred gun control legislation, but also chilled administrative initiatives that were otherwise in the works. Without conservative Dems advocating for us within the party, this would not be possible.
Because he is the freshman in Maryland’s caucus – and someone we endorsed – the very reasonable question to ask is how Rep. Frank Kratovil has been doing on gun issues so far. The answer very clearly is superb.
Kratovil represents Congressional District 1, which encompasses eastern shore and, on the west shore, some of the areas just along the north end of the bay – all very pro-gun areas where we can (and clearly did) make the difference in 2008.
Frank was a part of the early rebellion that pushed back against Holder and crew early in the session, signing a letter (with a host of fellow pro-gun Dems) that declared their opposition to any new gun control. Since then he has signed on to co-sponsor the BATF reform bill (HR 2296), a measure that pushes back against documented abuses by that agency and would make it easier for gun dealers to comply with existing federal laws and regulations. He is also a co-sponsor of the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act (HR 197), another measure we strongly support. These bills remain in a holding pattern due to leadership opposition, but they had the desired effect: strong on-the-record support for pro-gun positions made it impossible for majority leadership to even think about enacting left-wing gun control notions.
Of immediate and strategic value is his role in McDonald vs Chicago, now before the Supreme Court. Frank joined 250 other Members of Congress and 59 U.S. Senators in signing an Amicus Brief supporting the incorporation of the Second Amendment as applying to states under the 14th Amendment. This is truly at the front lines of the fight. Frank is helping pile on to clarify that the Heller vs DC ruling applies to states just as it does to DC. Bravo!