A former U.S. Attorney appointed by Bill Clinton and Rhode Island's Attorney General, Sheldon Whitehouse has successfully fought for tough new gun control legislation that strengthened penalties for armed criminals and prosecuted members of the
Rhode Island Latin Kings, a violent criminal gang that committed murder, drug dealing, assault, and racketeering. In the U.S. Senate,
Whitehouse will work for common-sense solutions that help local law enforcement fight gun crime and to hold irresponsible gun makers and dealers accountable for their actions.
Whitehouse says, "I've prosecuted gun crimes, and I've seen first-hand the
differences that resources and cooperation can make in our fight to get guns off our streets. Congress needs to take decisive action to make sure that local law enforcement has the tools it needs to make our neighborhoods safe."
As Attorney General, Sheldon fought for tough new gun control legislation that strengthened penalties for armed criminals.
Source: Campaign website, www.WhitehouseForSenate.com, "About"
Dec 25, 2005
Voted NO on prohibiting foreign & UN aid that restricts US gun ownership.
Amendment SA 2774 to H.R. 2764, the Department of State's International Aid bill: To prohibit the use of funds by international organizations, agencies, and entities (including the United Nations) that require the registration of, or taxes guns owned by citizens of the United States.
Proponents support voting YES because:
Sen. VITTER: This is a straight funding limitation amendment. Many folks who haven't followed the proceedings on this in the U.N. may ask: What is this all about? Unfortunately, it is about an effort in the United Nations to bring gun control to various countries through that international organization. Unfortunately, that has been an ongoing effort which poses a real threat, back to 1995. In 2001, the UN General Assembly adopted a program of action designed to infringe on second amendment rights.
The Vitter amendment simply says we are not going to support any international organization that requires a registration of US citizens' guns or taxes US citizens' guns. If other folks in this Chamber think that is not happening, that it is never going to happen, my reply is simple and straightforward: Great, then this language has no effect. It is no harm to pass it as a failsafe. It has no impact. But, in fact, related efforts have been going on in the U.N. since at least 1995. I hope this can get very wide, bipartisan support, and I urge all my colleagues to support this very fundamental, straightforward amendment.
No opponents spoke against the bill.
Reference: Vitter Amendment to State Dept. Appropriations Bill;
Bill S.Amdt. 2774 to H.R. 2764
; vote number 2007-321
on Sep 6, 2007
