Rep. Steve Scalise hunting alligators in Louisiana. (Photo: Steve Scalise Facebook)
U.S. House Democrats on Wednesday barred Republican Rep. Steve Scalise from testifying at a hearing meant to address “gun violence” in the United States.
As a victim of gun-related crime and the Republican House Whip, Scalise would normally have been allowed to testify at a congressional hearing so pertinent to his expertise and life experience. Instead, House Democrats denied his request to speak, claiming that too many members of Congress had already made the same request.
“I was surprised, because it’s unprecedented,” Scalise told Fox News. “In the past, when we were in charge on the Republican side, if the Democrats selected among one of their witnesses to be a sitting member of Congress, we always gave them the courtesy of testifying in a proper setting, and we were asking for that same courtesy — and they denied it.”
Scalise famously survived near-fatal gunshot wounds after a man opened fire at a GOP baseball practice in 2017. The shooter was stopped by U.S. Capitol Police and the Alexandria Police, but not before the left-wing activist shot four people at the baseball field, all of whom survived.
SEE ALSO: David Hogg & New Congress Push Universal Background Check Bill
Scalise submitted his written testimony to the committee, and Fox News published it on Wednesday.
In his testimony, Scalise points out that the universal background check legislation currently being considered by Congress (H.R. 8) would not have stopped the man who shot him, nor would it have stopped many of the other mass murders in recent history.
The bill won’t reduce crime, either. The representative notes a recent study that determined California’s universal background check law was not associated with a change in homicide rates and references a DOJ survey in which a vast majority of criminals reported acquiring firearms from already illegal sources.
Universal background checks, Scalise observes, “would not deter a criminal from engaging in criminal activity, and it won’t decrease gun crime. Instead, it only succeeds in limiting the ways that law-abiding citizens could exercise their Second Amendment rights.”
SEE ALSO: Feinstein’s 2019 Assault Weapons Ban Targets Pistol Braces, Amongst the Usual Suspects
But rather than harp only on the ineffectiveness of gun control, Scalise also highlights the life-saving benefits of firearm ownership. He references four examples from January of law-abiding citizens using their firearms to defend themselves or others, one of which resulted directly from pro-gun lawsuits that restored the right to bear arms to Chicago residents.
“I firmly believe we must never forget, nor minimize, the importance of the Second Amendment to our Constitution,” Scalise concludes. “H.R. 8, as well as other new gun control legislation currently being considered by the House Democrat majority do not accomplish the goal of reducing gun violence.”
“If our goal is to reduce gun violence, then we should focus on penalizing criminals, not law-abiding citizens.”
H.R. 8 has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, currently chaired by New Jersey Democrat Jerrold Nadler.
I am now 78 years old. I never thought I would see the day that the Dems would be so spineless as we find them today. I come from a family that were Dem thru and thru until the Dems left us. Now we live in fear as to what lamebraned law or action the Dems will come up with next. The only way to assure that they can commit no more lamebrain actions is to vote them out of any elected office and bar them from commiting treason on the USA. I served in the military for over 9 years and never thought I would see a political party betray this nation as the Dems have.
It has always amazed me that the large number of Democrats in my area that own firearms, some legally, some prohibited by prior felony convictions don’t have any problem not obeying the laws. It needs to be remembered that the shooter in the Scalise case, a Bernie Sanders, volunteer, used a weapon most Democrats have worked tirelessly to try and outlaw and he used his weapon on a group likely to be unarmed at a Republican baseball practice, to me this was no different than crashing a car, truck, airplane into a crowd of people, call it what it was, terrorism!
Just admit it , all democrats are mental issues. They like to suck dicks and be queer and want to control every aspect of a persons life except for their ownlives. I say shoot em all at Dawn!!!!!!
How long are We The People going to stand by and allow these liberal socialists put us in jeopardy. These Dems are unfit to serve in Congress. Repubs appear to be afraid of them… We are gonna vote you all out!!
Absolutely correctamundo, John. There is NO Democrat worth voting for because ALL Democrats fall into line with the party leaders on important legislation. So, even seemingly “good” Democrats, like Joe Manchin, will not stand up to his party when it matters most. GET THEM ALL THE HELL OUT OF PUBLIC OFFICE!!!
VOTE…VOTE…VOTE!
Watched the hearings. The prof. from George Mason U. was picked on by a NJ dem. for her chair being funded by the NRA. No other participant was asked who funded them or their group. The repubs didn’t object to information fron anti gunners being entered into the record. What gives with that? Better get ready for H.B. 8!
“What gives with that?” It’s the same old spineless, limp-dick GOP folks who will not do anything to rock the boat, or threaten their precious little fifedom, even when not speaking up threatens our Constitutional rights.
what is the difference between the “universal background check” and the background check I had on every gun I purchased?
It’s about disarmament period Americans need to wake up they won’t stop until they achieve that goal or are soundly defeated on the battlefield!
Hey look guys, if you gun owners, in states that elected Democrat House members this last election, had showed up at the polls and VOTED this would not be happening. So if your state elected a democrat, shut the hell up because you are to blame. So, get off your lazy ass, get yourself to the polls in 2020 and VOTE these idiots out of office. It’s the only way to protect your rights, the ONLY way
The democommies, remind my of the Gestapo, do what they want or else.
Man I hate politicians
The American left (As with all totalitarians) attempts to silence all those who oppose and expose them
David has basically the right idea. But…
It is NOT the severity of punishment that acts as an effective deterrent to crime. It is the CERTAINTY of punishment.
demonazis have shown yet again what they do when they control the reigns of government. They ignore any precedents and “courtesies” and do whatever they want to press their agenda which proves they are not fit to hold office.
There needs to be an amendment that states when a member of congress ignores or violates the law, they are immediately suspended from congress without pay until a trial can be conducted by a jury of citizens comprised wholly of people who have never served in government to determine if they have ignored or violated the law. If convicted, they are removed from office, must forfeit all pay received to date, and may never hold public office again, never be a lobbyist, or never practice law. Time to hold those criminals in BOTH parties accountable for their criminal actions.
We don’t need self serving demonazis passing new gun laws. We need federal authorities to enforce existing laws and liberal judges willing to sentencing perps to jail time. Better than jail time, stand the perps against a wall and shoot them!!!
He is a pro 2A advocate. Of course they don’t want him to testify, only the antis. I’m not surprise and no one else should be either.
Want to stop, or greatly reduce, “gun violence”?
Pass a bill that whomever commits an act with a firearm of violence
toward another person shall receive the death penalty, no appeals and
execution shall be carried out immediately.
(Fewer violators = Fewer violations = Fewer “Gun crimes”.)
Great plan.
Mugger steps out with a knife, I shoot him.
I just used a firearm to commit an “act of violence” against someone.
I shall be immediately executed.
You committed an ‘act of self defense’, not an act of violence. Without your gun action the mugger might have slit your throat. It’s a chance he took that failed for him. You are acquitted of any crime and presented an attaboy.
who knows more than a victim. then again what scalise has to say might not fit their agenda. after all he could only relate to facts and truth. dems are really starting to show their true colors
Democrats in legislation only seek to serve themselves. They are globalist nitwits st best.