Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Congressman Scott Perry (R-PA) reintroduced two bills this week that would stop future assaults on the Second Amendment by the Executive branch.

“The Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms - a fundamental, constitutional right we need to defend against anyone or any administration seeking to limit that right,” said Perry. “This bill stops the limitation of Second Amendment through executive privilege.”

The first bill, the Second Amendment Defense Act, prevents the Executive branch from unilaterally taking action to create more restrictive regulations on law-abiding gun owners without Congressional action. “This is a blanket protection to ensure the U.S. Constitution and the rights of the individual are protected from the whims of unelected bureaucrats in Washington,” Perry explained.

The second bill, the ATF Wrongful Classification act, originally was proposed to block a last minute push by the Obama Administration’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) to reclassify certain types of ammunition, specifically the M855, as "armor piercing." The M855 typically is used for sporting purposes; however, technology allows it to be used in handguns. The ATF cited a loophole in the U.S. Code, which states ammunition that “may be used in a handgun” may be considered "armor piercing." Perry’s bill amends U.S. Code to ensure that ammunition may be reclassified only if the manufacturer designs and intends the ammunition to be used in a handgun. The ATF since reversed its decision, but Perry’s legislation would ensure future administrations couldn’t attempt similar misclassifications.

“As a proud and responsible gun owner, I'll continue to be a resolute supporter of every law-abiding American’s Second Amendment rights,” Perry concluded.