H.R.17 - Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2009

To protect the right to obtain firearms for security, and to use firearms in defense of self, family, or home, and to provide for the enforcement of such right. view all titles (2)

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  • Short: Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 2009 as introduced.
  • Official: To protect the right to obtain firearms for security, and to use firearms in defense of self, family, or home, and to provide for the enforcement of such right. as introduced.

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Displaying 121-150 of 240 total comments.


  • kgotjesus2001 Mar 02, 2009 1:04pm
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    The 2nd Amendment gives American citizens the right to bear arms for the purpose of protecting ourselves from a TYRANICAL GOVERNMENT. Would this law amend this right????????????

  • dmcmasters Mar 08, 2009 3:15pm
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    Para 3

    This bill allows citizens to file suit against all governments; federal and state, that illegally remove arms from citizens.

    I beg all of you to educate yourselves so that you may have a view that is only biased by your research. It is not enough to rely on the fallacies that mainstream media provides. The safety of my family is not only in my hands, but in today’s government, it is also indirectly in yours.

  • dmcmasters Mar 08, 2009 3:15pm
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    Para 2

    I think this bill may have come from the New Orleans incident. The New Orleans authorities had illegally robbed the people, at gunpoint, of their legally owned firearms after the devastation of hurricane Katrina. The NRA had filed suit against New Orleans and was successful in getting a permanent injunction against New Olean authorities. Of course, if this had happened to me, I would have attempted to file armed robbery charges against those authorities that had taken my firearms. I say this, but the fact of the matter is I do not even own a handgun or an assault rifle. I own a 20-gauge shotgun that I bought to try my hand at pheasant hunting a few years ago. I hunted for two seasons and have never fired that shotgun again.

  • dmcmasters Mar 08, 2009 3:17pm
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    Kgotjesus2001:
    Para 1
    This good bill ensures our natural right to protect our family and ourselves by not allowing authorities to disarm law-abiding citizens. One cannot protect their family with a club when the criminal has firepower.I do not think this law would amend the right to rise up against a tyrannical government, as this is, as far as I know, an un-codified right. If one would read the Federalist Papers, particularly, Madison’s writings, and the other correspondence between the founding fathers, one realizes that the ability to rise up against a tyrannical government is viewed as a natural right. Even if that right is dormant, or a people become complacent as the Romans did, and I think as we are now, there is the possibility that any government at any time can become tyrannical. In that case, the right revives itself. It is in the human nature to desire power. However, I am not stating that our Government has become tyrannical.

  • dmcmasters Mar 08, 2009 3:19pm
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    That did not lay out right. What is up with this 1000 word limit!!!

  • Anonymous Mar 02, 2009 1:40pm
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    THIS IS SCARY BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE THE 2nd AMENDMENT WHY DO WE NEED ANOTHER LAW? IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WE ARE GETTING DUPED. ON THE SURFACE THIS BILL SEEMS LIKE A GOOD THING. BUT ACTUALLY< WE ALREADY HAVE A LAW THAT PROTECTS US. THIS BILLS LEAVES OUT THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON OUR FOUNDING FATHERS WROTE THE 2nd AMENDMENT...TO PROTECT OURSELVES FROM TYRANICAL GOVERNMENT!!!!!

  • Anonymous Mar 03, 2009 2:56pm
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    The next Bill introduced will be a Bill to recognize formally The Constitution as a binding document right?Do we need a Bill to affirm our right to the pursuit of Happiness,Liberty and Justice for all? What is going on in Our Country?

  • Tiffanynjon Mar 03, 2009 3:17pm
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    A Man's or Woman’s home is there Castle and we have the right to defend it. This bill just reaffirms our rights. Some States have different policies.

    In Washington State, if you shoot an intruder and he or she should fall outside the door or window of your home. I was told by local Sheriff to drag the intruder back in the home. That works for me.

    I live in rural Washington and it would take the Sheriff some time to get to me or my family. My Wife and 9 Year old Daughter both know where the shotgun is and how to use it. It’s always loaded and you only need to chamber a round. We are not gun freak’s, just law abiding citizens who know what to do if challenged by a wild animal or intruder.

  • Theultimateg Apr 15, 2009 2:54am
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    dragging him back in your house is tampering with evidence or a tampering with a crime scene and will get you life in prison if the jury thinks you tried to cover up the fact you shot the intruder without actually being in danger. just wait till hes all the way in before you shoot. Forensics now days are precise and they will prove you drug the intruder back into your house. bad advice from your sheriff.

  • r4fthrs Mar 03, 2009 8:43pm
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    It is sad that we have to pass a bill to reaffirm our bill of rights that 'should be self evident'. Also the castle doctrine is great, but you should have the right to protect yourself from a deadly threat anywhere. Also it is BS about dragging someone inside if they fall out the door. If you are in fear for your life (apply reasonable person standard) then you have the right to use deadly force. If your state defines it any other way you need to clean house and start over. We are becoming a nation of sheep.

  • r4fthrs Mar 04, 2009 2:18pm
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    Our founding fathers talked for several years before the first actions were taken. The first armed encounters were due to responses of direct British actions. To act first, without due cause, will only make you a criminal to most. To respond in kind to hostile action is usually viewed much differently. Most rural people (such as myself) are more prepared to deal with catastrophic events than urban/suburban citizens, but none of us could ever be totally prepared for a full scale revolution.

    Since you find quoting the founding father as "retarded" then I will give something from Mao `Choose your battles wisely'.

  • PAR Mar 04, 2009 9:55pm
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    Firearms do not commit crimes. Criminals commit crimes. Enforce the crimes code and put an end to plea bargaining for criminals who commit violent crimes. I would like to see a bill "Do The Crime, Do The Time". There will be NO plea bargains for violent offenders. Gun, knife, baseball bat or beating. Doesn't matter what is used to harm another. Impose the sentence and put them away!

  • fehrmann69 Mar 05, 2009 9:24am
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    There is a right that we the people also have that many do not realize. The courts have attempted to remove it, but it still exists, even though the judiciary has 'watered it down'. That right, which has been affirmed by past Supreme Court justices, is called jury nullification. It simply means that the jury has the right to judge, not only the facts in question, but the law itself. If the jury finds the law unjust, it may strike the law down, and aquit the accused. The judge will never inform you of this right, and because of a supreme court decision in the 1970s, no officer of the court may inform the jury of this right. The government, especially in California, has been working hard to abolish this provision. It was put in place by the founding fathers, as the only check and balance to the judiciary part of the government. So remember, if you are a juror you can excercise the right. Don't let anyone know this prior to jury selection though, or you will be disqualified.


  • fehrmann69 Mar 05, 2009 9:26am
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    Remember this. Always, always, demand a jury trial. If the posibility of jail is part of your sentence, you have a right to one. Anyone charged with a crime under this law, if it were passed, could be aquited by a jury under the jury nullification process. There will be those that exclaim that this right is ridiculous as jurys could nulify murder. Well that is true and it happens. It is call justifiable homecide when you read about it, but it is in fact, jury nullification. This is almost as important to preserve as the second amendment, and we should hold our legal system to be accoutable, as well as the government.

  • Jsh78mang Mar 09, 2009 7:48am
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    This very simply is sensible legislation. It gives those so inclind to, thier already in existance 2nd amendment right but throws up the personal ability to make your home protected by law. It also dose not infringe on those whom do not want to own a gun or protect there homes.......I really can't believe someone would not want to protect there homes with or without a firearm. this law just makes sure that if you shoot, stab, beat with a bat a criminal in your home in defense of life and property they can't sue you because it hurt.

  • dondoc2comcastnet Mar 09, 2009 3:54pm
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    When that Bad person comes thru your door or window to do you or your family harm, what are you going to do? Maybe you could ask them to WAIT a little so you can call Police to come and take them away.

  • xlhowie Mar 10, 2009 8:41am
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    I spent 21 years in active military service to protect our rights and the right of self defense should be one of them. I live in Fl so I am already blessed.

  • ralphc Mar 11, 2009 6:44pm
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    Ladies and Gentlemen,
    I'm confused. I know it seems we "bill" and "law" ourselves to death. But what is wrong with the second amendment to the Constitution? To any reasonable understanding person that should say it all. Someone help me out with this one.

    Ralph

  • Patriots Mar 16, 2009 8:51pm
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    I suppose we need to ask our elected representatives that one.

  • centinel Mar 14, 2009 10:36am
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    every citzen should be pulling for this bill. the right to protect ones life and family should be on every ones mind.
    remember the police get there after the fact.

  • apache01 Jul 28, 2009 9:02am
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    You're right, but you need to take a closer look at what all is attached to this bill before you go pushing for its passage!!!! This one has HR45 attached to it, which we DON'T want. That' what those childish Reps do. If you don't vote yes to pass the Bill I want, then I'll attach this to your Bill so it won't pass either. Like a bunch of frickin kids on the schoolyard playground. You play my way, or I'll take my ball and go home. Yeah really mature leaders in Washington, huh? Push your Reps to separate HR45 from this Bill, THEN, push them to pass it.

  • JGrant Mar 16, 2009 11:51am
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    This Bill must become law to remain safe and free! How would the president feel if we where to disarm his (Free security) secret service bodyguards? Not to safe I’m sure. We as Americans, need to travel about this Land called “United States Of America” and feel safe doing so!

  • tommyb82 Mar 18, 2009 6:49am
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    The bill is a good start for those who need to be reminded that this right is already guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment. The bill should be expanded to read that you may carry and use a firearm to protect yourself, your family, or others from serious physical harm from any reasonably perceived threat.

  • callagan Mar 18, 2009 9:25am
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    It's truly a shame that we have to pass a bill to reinforce what is in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Perhaps the uniformity of laws throughout the US will take the confusion out of legal CCW.

  • ProjectCMD Mar 18, 2009 4:13pm
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    Well now if we look at the Bill of Rights, which is supposed to be unchangeable, we have the ever given rights to bear arms. Whether it is written on a piece of parchment or not, it is our right to bear arms. Who are these people to try and take away rights? I have heard about a stand at the states capitols on April 15th, but we need to get to Wash. D.C. and camp at the Capitol with video cameras and digital cameras, tape recorders...everything that we can to record this event. Also, it needs to last a long time, I mean to not leave until we have what we want, which is our freedoms and our rights corrected. No more phone tapping and spying on American citizens. Don't even think about touching our rights cause we are coming to the Capital on April 15th and it will not be a happy day or week or month for those trying to control us.

  • PDSpencer Mar 18, 2009 10:57pm
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    H. R. 17 is as important to pass as H. R. 45 is to defeat. I am surprised there are so few Nay votes. I suggest that comments be placed on the H. R. 45 page directing viewers to view and vote on H. R. 17. I hope that all are voicing their for or against comments directly to their reps even though you may think they aren't listening. Never give up, Never surrender.

  • tcrace Mar 21, 2009 3:53pm
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    I agree with you Spencer and suggest adding a demand like this at the end of your comments:

    Please respond at your earliest opportunity with a concise and definite statement of the Constitutional authority for your vote to help me better understand your reasoning if we are not in agreement.

  • arch22 Mar 20, 2009 9:46am
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    If you have ever lived in a drug prone area (and that is every place), you would not have to ask why. HR 17 is in line with Second Amendment.

  • Ferris928 Mar 21, 2009 11:38am
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    From what it looks like, there MIGHT be someone in the government that doesn't want us to be victims of crime.

  • tcrace Mar 21, 2009 3:45pm
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    Do we really need a law to do what the 2nd Amendment already does? I believe the "shall not be infringed" part puts this issue to bed!



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