Just when you think certain threats to the right to bear arms have been put to rest, one of them pops back up again. The latest example is the Assault Weapons Ban Reauthorization Act of 2008, H.R. 6257, introduced in the House on June 12, 2008, by Mark Steven Kirk (R-Ill.). The bill has four cosponsors.

Ever since the original Clinton-era Assault Weapons Ban was allowed by the House to expire on September 13, 2004, there have been many attempts to reauthorize this blatant infringement on the Second Amendment. For example, the 110th Congress already has two other bills in play “to reauthorize the assault weapons ban.” One (H.R. 1022) was introduced in the House on February 13, 2007 by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.). This bill has 66 cosponsors. The Senate has its own “Assault Weapons Ban Renewal Act of 2007,” which is included as part of the Crime Control and Prevention Act of 2007, S. 2237. This bill was introduced on Oct. 25, 2007 by Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.). It has only two cosponsors.

So, even though the issue of reauthorizing the so-called assault weapons ban has been on the back burner during this congressional session, it would be prudent to contact your representative and register your strong opposition to this newest attempt to ban “assault weapons.” Go to http://www.capwiz.com/jbs/dbq/officials/ to find your representative and send him or her an email.