Resolved: The Legislature Holds Irrelevant Debate

The House of Representatives had an arguably meaningless discussion about future federal gun laws

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By Bill McAllister
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Story Created: Mar 15, 2013 at 4:42 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Mar 15, 2013 at 6:12 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - The House of Representatives had an arguably meaningless discussion about future federal gun laws.

It’s like the old James Brown song -- they were "talkin' loud and sayin' nothing."

"I'm tired of this nonsense,” declared Representative Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, who has had it with toothless resolutions of the Legislature attempting to tell the president and Congress what to do or not do.

And Josephson says the latest resolution against new federal gun laws, with references to a police state, reminded him of the rhetoric of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.

"And I will not have a connection to this resolution. Give me a clean Second Amendment, like I voted for last month, and I’ll vote for it every time."

But the very next speaker, Representative Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, said the resolution does not go far enough because it lacks specific references to firearms accessories and ammunition.

"Make no bones about it: Americans are under an absolute assault from elements within our society who want to deny the Second Amendment. Nothing could be more important to this body and to Alaskans than to stand up and oppose every one of those efforts."

Lawmakers even argued about whether the right to bear arms is the most fundamental right in the Constitution.

Representative Les Gara, D-Anchorage, said, "I would argue that there are other constitutional rights that are equal -- the right of women to vote, the right of people to be free from slavery under the 13th Amendment, the right to free speech under the First Amendment, the right to choose your own God under the First Amendment."

"But there's only one that really emphasizes the fact that it's we the people that are really in charge,” said Representative Wes Keller, R-Wasilla. “We’re the ones that put the Constitution together; we created it."

Representative Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River, observed, "I think because resolutions embrace or engage the passions and the fundamental principles of our government, that's why they get so much of our vital juices flowing."

The resolution passed 32 to 2. But if it's cathartic for Alaska lawmakers, it's probably irrelevant in Washington, D.C.

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Jeff said on Saturday, Mar 16 at 9:42 AM

If they have time for this, we should go to a 60 day session.

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TOM said on Friday, Mar 15 at 9:47 PM

IDIOTS....PERIOD ! OVER

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