PA Bill Number: HB2235
Title: Providing for regulation of the meat packing and food processing industry by creating facility health and safety committees in the workplace; ...
Description: Providing for regulation of the meat packing and food processing industry by creating facility health and safety committees in the workplace; ... ...
Last Action: Referred to LABOR AND INDUSTRY
Last Action Date: Apr 25, 2024
WEBER: Congress, states must thwart judicial activism :: 08/25/2015
The job of the Supreme Court is to interpret the United States Constitution. Unfortunately, over the past few years, the Court has expanded its role from interpreter of the law to an independent policy maker.
The recent Supreme Court decisions of Obergefell v. Hodges and King v. Burwell were judicial activism at its worst. Unfortunately, these decisions have left me concerned on how far U.S. courts are willing to bend our laws or the Constitution in the future.
In order to combat judicial activism, I have recently introduced H.R 3425, the Firearm Rights Equally Enforced Act of 2015. My legislation would allow responsible and licensed firearm owners to carry across all state lines. It is vital that our citizens who lawfully obtain a license or permit are able to protect themselves and their families nationwide without having to deal with the excessive red tape certain states impose on our Second Amendment rights.
There can be no argument that citizens recognize the importance of protecting themselves. Since 2007, concealed-carry permits increased by 156 percent for men and 270 percent for women according to a study by the Crime Prevention Center. During this same period, the national murder rate fell to 4.2 people per 100,000 from 5.6 people per 100,000. It is not just law-abiding citizens who realize the importance of an armed citizenry. Three out of five felons polled in a Department of Justice Survey agreed that a criminal will not mess with a person they know to be armed.
Earlier this month, police officials from several cities across the country, including the District of Columbia, Baltimore and Chicago, met to discuss the recent uptick in violence across the country and voiced concern for the increasing trends of street violence and murder. Instead of restricting the ability to own a firearm, American families should be empowered and educated on how to protect their families in order to feel safe and secure, no matter where they are.
The Second Amendment was written to protect our inalienable right to keep and bear arms. If the Supreme Court is willing to expand upon one part of our Constitution, then I believe they may do so with every part. It is the job of Congress and states to thwart judicial activism with sound policies that protect our communities.
Congressman Randy Weber represents the 14th District of Texas, serving Brazoria, Galveston and Jefferson Counties.
