- The Washington Times - Thursday, March 28, 2013

Sen. Marco Rubio decided Thursday to join Sens. Mike Lee, Rand Paul and Ted Cruz in informing Senate Majority Harry Reid via letter that they will block any attempt to bring the Senate gun control bill to the floor.

Sen. Rubio explained in a statement that he stands firm in opposing any legislation that will limit the Second Amendment for law-abiding citizens.

“We should look for ways to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill prone to misusing them, but I oppose legislation that will be used as a vehicle to impose new Second Amendment restrictions on responsible, law-abiding gun owners,” he said. “We should work to reduce tragic acts of violence by addressing violence at its source, including untreated mental illness, the lack of adequate information-sharing on mental health issues, and the breakdown of the family.”

Sen. Cruz penned the letter to Sen. Reid, which reads, “We, the undersigned, intend to oppose any legislation that would infringe on the American people’s constitutional right to bear arms, or on their ability to exercise this right without being subjected to government surveillance,” the senators wrote. “The Second Amendment to the Constitution protects citizens’ right to self-defense. It speaks to the history’s lesson that government cannot be in all places at all times, and history’s warning about the oppression of a government that tries.”

Sen. Rubio signed the letter just hours after President Barack Obama held a White House presser urging members of congress to support new gun control legislation.

• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.

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