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Sen. Moran Introduces Legislation to Safeguard Service Members' Second Amendment Rights
Bill would address "Gun-Free Zones" and repeal bans on military personnel carrying firearms on American military installations
Jul 21 2015
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced legislation to address “Gun-Free Zones” at American military installations – including military recruitment centers – and restore the Second Amendment rights of service members. The Safeguarding Service Members’ Second Amendment Rights Act, would repeal bans on military personnel carrying firearms on Armed Forces military installations and Department of Defense (DoD) sites and prohibit the president, secretary of defense and secretaries of military departments from enacting similar restrictions or prohibitions in the future.
“The Second Amendment guarantees the ‘right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed,’ yet our men and women in uniform are banned from exercising this constitutional right when fulfilling their duties on American soil,” Sen. Moran said. “This infringement on the constitutional rights of our service members has caused American military installations and DoD sites to become increasingly vulnerable to those who wish to do harm. My legislation would repeal the laws, directives and regulations disarming military personnel, and empower our brave service men and women to defend themselves and others from violent attacks and acts of domestic terrorism.”
In the cases of the 2015 U.S. Army and Marine Corps Chattanooga shooting, the 2013 attack at the Washington Navy Yard, the 2010 attack at the Pentagon, the 2009 attack at the U.S. Military Recruiting Office in Little Rock, the 2009 attack on Fort Hood, and the 2008 attack on the Armed Forces Recruiting Center in Times Square, military personnel were prohibited from carrying firearms and unable to respond with force.
U.S. military personnel are trained in the use of firearms, with live-fire qualification and use-of-force training. They are entrusted with firearms and other weapons in the defense of the United States, yet are banned from carrying their firearms in “Gun-Free Zones” on military installations and DoD sites such as military recruitment centers, making these sites vulnerable targets.
Sen. Moran’s Safeguarding Service Members’ Second Amendment Rights Act would repeal laws and regulations disarming military personnel, including:
- Army Regulation 190-14, issued on March 12, 1993; and
- Department of Defense Directive Number 5210.56, issued on February 25, 1992, as well as the directive modification issued on April 1, 2011, and any subsequent modification.
In addition to these repeals, the legislation would make unenforceable any other law, rule, regulation or executive order that prohibits military personnel from carrying a firearm on a military installation or DoD site within the United States. It also prohibits the secretary of defense and the secretaries of the military departments from reinstating the firearm bans repealed by the Act, and prohibits them from enacting similar restrictions or prohibitions in the future. The president would also be prohibited from taking any executive action or putting forth any rule, executive order or regulation that restricts or prohibits military personnel from carrying firearms.
The Safeguarding Service Members’ Second Amendment Rights formally states that military personnel shall not be prohibited from carrying firearms on military installations or DoD sites and outlines the standing rules of engagement and use of force that military personnel carrying firearms must to adhere to.
Finally, Sen. Moran’s bill requires the secretary of defense to submit a report to Congress within 90 days of enactment outlining the actions taken to ensure compliance with the law.
Click below to read a fact sheet on the Safeguarding Service Members’ Second Amendment Rights Act.
Click below for the full legislative text.
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Sen. Moran to Introduce Legislation to Address "Gun-Free Zones," Uphold Second Amendment Rights
Jul 20 2015
WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) will introduce legislation to eliminate “Gun-Free Zones” at American military installations and military recruitment centers. Sen. Moran’s legislation would allow active-duty members of the Armed Forces stationed on American soil – including military recruiters – to carry weapons to defend themselves if they choose to do so.
“What happened in Chattanooga can never happen again,” Sen. Moran said. “The U.S. Constitution guarantees the ‘right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed,’ yet our men and women in uniform are being prevented from exercising this constitutional right when fulfilling their duties on American soil. Just because a member of our Armed Forces is not deployed to an active war zone does not mean they are safe from those who wish to do harm. Members of our military are targets for those who do not share our values – both at home and abroad. If the members of our Armed Forces at the Chattanooga military recruitment centers had been allowed to exercise their Second Amendment Rights, the outcome of the attacks could have been very different. These brave individuals must be empowered to defend themselves and others from violence and acts of domestic terrorism.”
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WASHINGTON – The Senate Committee on Appropriations this week approved – with a bipartisan 28 to 2 vote – the fiscal year 2016 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) is chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.
“The investments made in this bill reaffirm our commitment to advancing production agriculture and public health innovations in Kansas, and provide our rural communities with the ability to compete – both here and abroad,” Sen. Moran said. “Through a balanced approach to fiscal responsibility and continued investment in rural America, we are prioritizing agriculture research and extension activities, promoting rural development efforts, supporting food safety and public health initiatives, and encouraging the development of new medicines and medical devices. Additionally, we are reining in the Obama administration’s regulatory overreach by limiting the scope of the dietary guidelines and delaying the implementation of overly broad menu labeling rules.”
The Senate bill exhibits a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility by reducing overall spending by $3.7 billion compared to FY2015 enacted levels. The legislation is $24 billion below the President’s budget request level.
The bill supports Farm Bill implementation efforts and protects crop insurance as a key risk management tool for producers. It invests $2.7 billion in new and ongoing agricultural research initiatives conducted by USDA and Kansas land grant and non-land grant universities. The bill also provides assistance to farmers, ranchers, and other landowners for conservation efforts, and rejects the President’s proposal to reduce USDA conservation technical assistance to producers. It increases funding for USDA programs aimed at eradicating plant and animal pests and diseases that threaten agriculture production.
The bill continues investments important to rural Kansas communities, including by increasing funding for USDA rural development programs that are designed to help foster economic growth in rural areas. The policies funded include rural housing programs and loans for rural water, waste, electric and telephone infrastructure projects.
On nutrition issues, the legislation will ensure the new set of Dietary Guidelines for Americans will be based on sound nutritional science, not on environmental sustainability factors pushed by activist groups.
The U.S. Senate now has an opportunity to debate 11 of the 12 appropriations bills required of Congress annually. If all 12 appropriations bills are passed into law, the U.S. government would save $74 billion in fiscal year 2016 as compared to President Obama’s budget proposal.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan), member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Senate Defense Communities Caucus Co-Chair, today sponsored bipartisan legislation to better connect our nation’s veterans with the services, resources and benefits available in their communities to help them transition back to civilian life.
“I am committed to making certain our heroes can seamlessly transition back into civilian life when they choose to separate from the military after serving our nation,” Sen. Moran said. “The Connect with Veterans Act would give veterans the opportunity to access information from organizations in their local community that offer services to enhance their quality of life. This important legislation would connect communities with the more than 500 veterans transitioning from the military every day who deserve access to tailored services and would benefit from their support.”
With nearly 250,000 service members expected to separate from military service over the next five years, the bipartisan Connect with Veterans Act would give veterans the ability to access information they choose to receive regarding services and benefits from local, state and federal entities or programs by creating a voluntary directory of contact information connecting the veteran to their local communities.
According to Association of Defense Communities, the most important part of the transition from service member to civilian life occurs during the short time period after a service member leaves the military. But, a 2014 Washington Post and Kaiser Family Foundation study found that half of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans polled said they had a difficult time readjusting to civilian life. Currently, no mechanism exists for local governments and communities to interact directly with the 550 servicemembers who are transitioning daily nationwide. However, the bill aims to bridge these divides by helping service members quickly access the resources they need to effectively transition in their communities – especially those living in rural communities.
Participation in the program is voluntary and a veteran’s contact information would only be shared with his or her permission. Veterans’ personal information will be kept safe and secure. For a one-page summary of the bill, click here.
The legislation was introduced by Senate Defense Communities Caucus Co-Founder U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and is also sponsored by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and John Boozman (R-Ark.).
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Sen. Moran Statement on Every Child Achieves Act
Jul 16 2015
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement regarding his opposition to the Every Child Achieves Act (S. 1177):
“I opposed passage of the No Child Left Behind Act because I believe a federally-mandated approach to education is not in the best interest of Kansas students and schools. The Every Child Achieves Act does not go far enough in reducing the counterproductive federal mandates currently dictating K-12 education. Washington bureaucrats will still have a substantial say in curriculum development, school testing and assessment decisions – functions best handled by states and local school districts. Unfortunately, this bill misses an opportunity to give responsibility back to those who best know the unique needs of students, families and educators.”
On December 13, 2001, then-Rep. Moran opposed the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement today regarding the United States Army’s announcement of The Army University at Fort Leavenworth:
“It is fitting to learn that Fort Leavenworth – the Intellectual Center of the Army – will oversee education and training of our future military and civilian leaders across the country. I am hopeful the restructured Army University will build upon our nation’s already first-rate education and training, and make certain we are preparing our soldiers to handle the evolving threats facing our country.”
Background:
The Army University is modeled after several successful U.S. state university systems that have fostered greater instructional efficiency and research capability by incorporating state administered teaching institutions under a single centralized system of management and resourcing. Army University will integrate 70 separate U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) internal school programs under one university system while also synchronizing instruction with more than 100 additional TRADOC institutions.
Additionally, this effort provides a cost savings to the Army in tuition assistance and unemployment expenses, which improves soldiers’ ability to transition into quality employment opportunities after their service.
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Sen. Moran Statement on Iran Nuclear Agreement
Jul 14 2015
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) issued the following statement regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran announced today:
“Given the grave consequences of a weak nuclear agreement with Iran, I share Americans’ skepticism about this deal which is offered by the same president who called ISIS the ‘JV team,’ and has mismanaged American foreign policy across the Middle East.
“I will carefully examine the terms of this proposal and press the Obama administration to prove this deal effectively secures our safety, verifies accountability from Iran, and increases stability in the Middle East. My initial reaction is this agreement has conceded too much and has not sufficiently reduced Iran’s nuclear capabilities. I am also disappointed the administration neglected to include the release of Americans held captive in Iran in this agreement, including Pastor Saeed Abedini and former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati who have both been held for several years.”
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Sen. Moran Statement on OPM Director Resignation
Jul 10 2015
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee for Consumer Protection and Data Security, today responded to the resignation of Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Katherine Archuleta:
“While leadership certainly matters, the resignation of the OPM Director does not reduce the damage caused by this data breach. The 22 million Americans who have had their personal privacy violated and sensitive information stolen by hackers continue to wait for answers from OPM and the administration. We need to know the true scope of the OPM data breach, how this happened, what is being done to protect the victims from criminal activity, and what steps are being taken not only at OPM – but across all federal government agencies – to make certain we are safeguarded from future cyber-attacks. It is past time for the accountability and answers needed to restore Americans’ confidence that their families and our national security are not at risk.”
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement today regarding the United States Army’s announcement of force strength reductions at bases across the country including Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley:
“Unfortunately, constrained defense spending has forced the Army to make difficult decisions. However, it is evident the Army understands the contributions Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley make to our national security given the minimal reduction of Kansas soldiers.
“Through constant, high-level engagements with Army leadership on Capitol Hill, at the Pentagon, and back home in Junction City – with an unparalleled turnout of Kansans during the Listening Session in February – our state has clearly demonstrated support for our service members and their families. I am pleased Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley survived this significant challenge, but will continue to work to make certain the Army does not pursue additional reductions. Additionally, I will work to ensure the Department of Defense has the resources necessary to train and equip our soldiers to defend our country and safeguard Americans.”
Fort Leavenworth will lose 60 troop positions between fiscal year 2015 and fiscal year 2017, and Fort Riley will lose 615 troop positions between fiscal year 2015 and fiscal year 2017.
Between fiscal year 2001 and fiscal year 2017, Fort Riley will have grown 57 percent including the loss of 615 positions.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement today upon news that the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center – part of the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System – will reopen the Emergency Department starting Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 8:00 a.m. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has determined that the Topeka Emergency Department now meets all policy, procedures and staffing levels.
"This is the good news Eastern Kansas veterans have been waiting for – they will once again be able to count on emergency services at Colmery-O’Neil," Sen. Moran said. "It has been a long road since the emergency room was temporarily shuttered in January 2014, and Topeka veterans were suddenly without the emergency care they could need at any moment. I am pleased our efforts alongside Director Klopfer, Congresswoman Jenkins and VA Heartland Network Director Patterson resulted in this positive outcome. Safe and quality care for our nation’s veterans is one of my top priorities and I trust that the reopening of the Colmery-O’Neil emergency room will help make certain veterans in Kansas can get the timely, quality care they earned through their selfless service to our nation."
According to a press release from Colmery-O’Neil, all veterans reporting to the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center’s Emergency Department (ED) will be triaged and given the appropriate care.
Sen. Moran first raised concerns about the shuttering of the emergency department with then-VA Secretary Eric Shinseki in August 2013. He also expressed frustration with the Veterans Health Administration in January 2014 once the emergency room at Colmery-O’Neil was temporary closed. In order to resolve the ongoing issues, in April 2015, Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.) and Sen. Moran asked the VA Heartland Network Director about the support the Network is receiving from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in Washington, D.C. In early June, they received a response from the VA Heartland Director dated April 27, 2015, which stated that “we anticipate the temporary ‘pause’ on the Emergency Department to be removed by the end of May.” The June 30, 2015, reopening follows the completion of a plan by Colmery-O’Neil to make certain the emergency department is fully capable of meeting the needs of the veterans.
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