Therriault Resolution Calls on Congress to
Reject HR 45 – Firearm Licensure Bill

JUNEAU – Senator Gene Therriault, R-North Pole, has introduced a resolution (SJR 6) calling on the U.S. Congress to reject a bill that would require anyone possessing a firearm to first obtain a federal license. The bill, HR 45, would make it a felony to possess a handgun or semi-automatic rifle that uses a clip without a federal license or a license issued under a federally-approved state program. It would also make it a felony to fail to report the transfer of a firearm, to transfer a firearm to someone who does not have a license, or to not report the loss of theft of a firearm within 72 hours.

“This bill is a de facto gun registration bill and an assault on our Second Amendment rights,” Therriault said. “While we have seen similar bills in the past, it could well be serious this time because we now have a Democratic Congress that could pass it, and a Democratic president who would sign it.”

Therriault noted that it was interesting that HR 45 was introduced by Chicago Congressman Bobby Rush, a co-founder of the Black Panther Party in Illinois, who served six months in prison in 1969 for illegal possession of firearms. “I think he would be acquainted with the old adage that, ‘when guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns’,” Therriault said.

SJR 6 calls on the Alaska congressional delegation to oppose and defeat HR 45. It was referred to the Senate State Affairs and Judiciary committees.

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