Tester’s gun bill wins bipartisan support in Senate

Republicans line up behind Senator’s NRA-supported measure

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester’s legislation to allow antique gun re-importation and sales is winning strong bipartisan support as it nears its reintroduction in the Senate.

Republican Senators endorsing Tester’s Collectible Firearms Protection Act—which he plans to reintroduce next week—include: Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

Tester’s measure also quickly won the support of the National Rifle Association after its introduction last year.

“Issues of gun rights rise above political party and I’m proud to be working across party lines to strengthen those rights,” said Tester, Chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus.  “That’s what Montanans expect.  I’ll never back down on strengthening the freedoms of law-abiding Americans, especially when it comes to honoring a piece of America’s heritage.”

Tester introduced his Collectible Firearms Protection Act after he pushed the U.S. State Department to reconsider a decision denying the proposed sale of surplus M1 Carbines and Garand rifles from South Korea to qualified buyers in the U.S.  Many collectors consider the antique firearms to be of important historical military significance.

Under Tester’s bill, firearms that are lawfully possessed by a foreign government—and that are more than 50 years old and considered antiques or relics—may be re-imported to properly licensed groups and sold without written permission from the U.S. Departments of State or Defense.

Senators Max Baucus and Mark Begich (D-Alaska) have also cosponsored Tester’s bill.  Tester’s legislation is available on his website, HERE.