Bill would protect our individual rights

State Rep. Pete Nielsen, Mountain Home, has introduced a gun rights bill, HB 229, which has passed in the House by an overwhelming majority vote of both Republicans and Democrats, 61-9. This bill now goes to the state Senate.

HB 229 prohibits government from confiscating individual’s firearms in cases of extreme emergencies, martial law, insurrections, natural disasters, etc. It supports our individual Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms as recently confirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court and God-given right of self-defense. It prevents governmental abuse of power as happened in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina when police illegally confiscated law-abiding citizen’s firearms thereby rendering them defenseless to criminal acts.

In actuality, a well-armed citizenry is supportive to law enforcement, National Guard, and other peacekeepers in not only extreme emergencies but day-to-day life.

If you agree with this bill please contact our state Sens. Shawn Keough and Joyce Broadsword and express your agreement and expectation that they will vote for passage of HB 229 when it reaches the Senate as well as Gov. Butch Otter with your expectation that he will sign HB 229 into law upon senate passage.

PHIL POUTRE

Cocolalla