Common Sense & the Second Amendment

COMMON SENSE & THE SECOND AMENDMENT

Our Second Amendment rights are integral to our way of life here in Wyoming, but all too often, Washington ignores its constitutional mandate and infringes on these rights.

The Federal Gun Control Act currently forbids the transfer of a handgun to a person under 21 years of age. The Second Amendment, however, does not distinguish between different kinds of arms and under current federal law, rifles can be bought by 18-year-olds.

If an 18-year-old can use a handgun to defend their country as a member of our military, why can’t they use a legally purchased handgun to defend their home? Our current law simply makes no sense. That’s why I recently introduced the Second Amendment Mandates Equality (SAME) Act which would repeal the federal law that currently prevents those between 18 and 20 years of age from purchasing a handgun from a federally licensed dealer. As adults who can form business contracts, marry, serve in the military, vote on important public policy issues, and in some states even hold elected office, Americans in this age bracket should never be deprived of their basic constitutional rights.

I’m keeping my promise to stand up for our Second Amendment rights, and that starts with ensuring that every law-abiding adult can exercise those rights.

Happy Trails,

WORKING IN
WASHINGTON

The Federal Reserve has proposed thoughtful guidelines that promote responsible banking innovation and validate Wyoming's hard work in digital assets and banking. This means that the Fed is taking responsible innovation seriously and is giving Wyoming a chance to prove we're doing it right.

Wyoming has developed the United States' best regulatory framework for digital assets and others are beginning to recognize this fact too. Governor Gordon and the Wyoming State Legislature should be very proud of the trails they've blazed in this space. I hope I can bring that same spirit to the discussion here in Washington.

Read my press release about the Fed's action here.

WORKING IN
WYOMING

I was in Casper this past week to give remarks at the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet. The last year has been a difficult one for businesses across Wyoming, so it was encouraging to celebrate the ways businesses have continued to serve the Casper community throughout the pandemic.

I had the chance to visit the Ryan Ranch project outside of Saratoga. This project used Natural Channel Design to stabilize stream banks, reduce sediment, and enhance water quality while improving irrigation diversions in the area. The USDA helped fund and conduct this project which is important for agricultural and recreational opportunities in the area.

WYOMING FACT OF THE WEEK

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon declared May 5th to be Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Grils Awareness Day. Tragically, homicide rates are eight times higher for indigenous persons than for white people in Wyoming.

In 2019, Governor Gordon convened a task force to study this issue and put forth solutions to address it. To read the Governor's full proclamation, click here.