Jim Matheson
2nd District, Utah
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-4402

June 23, 2006

As as advocate for the protection of Second Amendment rights, I
wanted to provide you with an update on my continuing support
of these efforts in the 109th Congress.

In this congress, I am an original co-sponsor of the District of
Columbia Personal Protection Act which would repeal the law
that prevents D.C. residents from owning handguns for sport or
defense. I support legislation that punishes those who abuse
Second Amendment rights and pose a threat to public safety;
however, I cannot support efforts that treat law-abiding citizens
and criminals equally by denying constitutionally guaranteed
liberties. Consequently, it is important that Congress reverse the
DC law that only disarms law-abiding citizens.

I am an original cosponsor of The Protection of Lawful
Commerce in Arms Act. On October 20, 2005, I voted in support
of this legislation which passed in the House of
Representatives. This bill prohibits lawsuits, except in specified
circumstances, against a manufacturer or seller of a firearm or
ammunition, or a trade association, for damages resulting from
the criminal or unlawful misuse of their products by others. The
bill also requires that pending lawsuits by shooting victims and
municipalities "be immediately dismissed by the court in which
the action was brought or is currently pending."

I am a staunch supporter of Second Amendment rights and
believe that we must take a balanced approach when
addressing the problem of violent crime in the United States. It is
a mistake to deny constitutional rights to all Americans because
of the misdeeds of a few. I look forward to continuing my work to
protect Second Amendment rights in this Congress and will
keep you informed of these issues as they arise.

Best Wishes,

Jim Matheson
Member of Congress

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