LITTLE ROCK – Former U.S. Attorney and candidate for the U.S. Senate Conner Eldridge today expressed his support for the amendment put forward by Republican Senator Susan Collins known as the Collins Amendment. The amendment, which would prevent suspected terrorists from legally purchasing firearms, received majority support in the Senate Thursday but not the 60 votes necessary to advance. Eldridge said his opponent, Sen. Boozman, missed another chance to prevent terrorists from obtaining weapons.
Statement from Conner Eldridge:
"Senator Boozman has missed yet another chance to engage on this issue that is critical to our safety and security as a nation.
If I were in the Senate today, I would be working with the bipartisan group of Republicans and Democrats to find a compromise that both prevents terrorists from buying guns while providing due process to protect the Second Amendment rights of all Americans. This is not a gun control issue; this is a terrorist issue. While the compromise bill does not give the FBI and law enforcement the flexibility that I would prefer, it would have been a good first step in fixing the current system. I would have supported this measure and, just as importantly, been an active leader in this debate.
Senator Boozman's top legislative priority, or so he says, is to do 'everything possible to defend the nation against terrorist attacks.'* Well, he has had the chance to put those words into action and failed. As a Senator, I promise the people of Arkansas that I will be an active voice for them on this and many other important issues."
*http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/27958/john-boozman/