Thaddeus McCotter - The Second Amendment
Voting Record
National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011
In November of 2011, the House passed the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011. The legislation was designed to amend the federal criminal code to authorize a person who is carrying a government-issued photographic identification document and a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm in one state to carry a concealed handgun in another state in accordance with the restrictions of that state. It passed the House with the support of almost all Republicans and about 1/4 of the Democrats. Thaddeus McCotter voted in favor of the reciprocity legislation.
Thaddeus McCotter voted in favor of the reciprocity legislation.
The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act
In 2005, Congress passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. The act "Prohibits a qualified civil liability action from being brought in any state or federal court against a manufacturer or seller of a firearm, ammunition, or a component of a firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, or against a trade association of such manufacturers or sellers, for damages, punitive damages, injunctive or declaratory relief, abatement, restitution, fines, penalties, or other relief resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm. The act passed the house in October of 2005 in roll call 534 with the support of almost all Republicans and more than 1/3 of the Democrats. Thaddeus McCotter voted in favor of the The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
Thaddeus McCotter voted in favor of the The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act
In 2003, Congress attempted to pass similar legislation as in 2005. The bill passed the House in a 285-140 vote. Thaddeus McCotter voted in favor of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
Thaddeus McCotter voted in favor of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
Amendment - Negligence
As an amendment to the 2003 Lawful commerce act, Congress sought to permit liability actions against firearms manufacturers, sellers, or trade associations for negligence. The amendment failed by a vote of 144-280. Thaddeus McCotter voted against the amendment to permit lawsuits for negligence purposes.
Thaddeus McCotter voted against the amendment to permit lawsuits for negligence purposes.
Amendment - Third Party
As another amendment to the 2003 Lawful Commerce Act, Congress sought to allow lawsuits to be brought against gun manufacturers and dealers for damages that are caused by the criminal misuse of that product by a third party if the firearm transferor knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the recipient is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance or has been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution. The amendment failed by a vote of 134-289. Thaddeus McCotter voted against the amendment to allow a lawsuit if the seller should have known the purchaser intended to use the gun illegally.
Thaddeus McCotter voted against the amendment to allow a lawsuit if the seller should have known the purchaser intended to use the gun illegally.
Amendment - Conviction of Transferor
As another amendment to the 2003 Lawful commerce act, Congress sought to eliminate the requirement for the conviction of a transferor before a liability action could be taken. The amemdment failed 148-278. Thaddeus McCotter voted against eliminating the requirement that the transferor be convicted before a liability action could be taken.
Thaddeus McCotter voted against eliminating the requirement that the transferor be convicted before a liability action could be taken.
Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation
Fairness in Firearm Testing Act - Cosponsor
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to make a video recording of the entire process of its examination and testing of an item for the purpose of determining whether the item is a firearm (and if so, the type of firearm) or ammunition. Bars ATF from editing or erasing any such recording. Directs ATF to make available a digital video disc that contains a copy of the recording: (1) at the request of a person who claims an ownership interest in such item; and (2) to a defendant in a criminal proceeding involving such item. Provides that an item which ATF has determined is a firearm or ammunition shall not be admissible as evidence unless: (1) ATF has complied with the requirements of this Act to make its digital video disc available; or (2) such compliance has been waived in writing by the person against whom the item is offered as evidence.
Second Amendment Enforcement Act - Cosponsor
Amends specified law prohibiting the killing of wild birds and wild animals in the District of Columbia to declare that nothing in it or any other provision of law shall authorize or be construed to permit the Council, the Mayor, or any governmental or regulatory authority of the District to prohibit, constructively prohibit, or unduly burden the ability of persons otherwise not prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law from acquiring, possessing in their homes or businesses, transporting for legitimate purposes, or using for sporting, self-protection or other lawful purposes, any firearm neither prohibited by federal law nor subject to the National Firearms Act. Denies the District any authority to enact laws or regulations that discourage or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms. Declares that nothing in such prohibitions shall be construed to prohibit the District from regulating the carrying of firearms by a person, either concealed or openly, other than at the person's dwelling place, place of business, or on other land possessed by the person.
District of Columbia Personal Protection Act - Cosponsor
To restore Second Amendment rights in the District of Columbia.
To reform the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, modernize firearms laws and regulations, protect the community from criminals, and for other purposes.
Fairness in Firearm Testing Act - Cosponsor
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to make a video recording of the entire process of its examination and testing of an item for the purpose of determining whether the item is a firearm (and if so, the type of firearm) or ammunition. Bars ATF from editing or erasing any such recording. Directs ATF to make available a digital video disc that contains a copy of the recording: (1) at the request of a person who claims an ownership interest in such item; and (2) to a defendant in a criminal proceeding involving such item. Provides that an item which ATF has determined is a firearm or ammunition shall not be admissible as evidence unless: (1) ATF has complied with the requirements of this Act to make its digital video disc available; or (2) such compliance has been waived in writing by the person against whom the item is offered as evidence.