Jim DeMint

U.S. Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina has been named CCRKBA Gun Rights Defender of the Month for January.
Sen. DeMint is Chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, a group of conservative Senators which works to oppose restrictive firearms legislation and to promote legislation favorable to the individual Second Amendment right.
In nominating Jim for the Award, John M. Snyder, CCRKBA Public Affairs Director, said that, “this Senator, over the years, has demonstrated an ability to articulate the issues relative to preservation of our gun rights and the fallacies of gun control. He also has shown the capability to think strategically on these issues within the legislative context, and to formulate positions designed to develop maximum Senate support for the preservation of our rights. He has played a key role in Senate battles over the individual right to keep and bear arms over the past several years. We expect him to play a crucial role in this regard in the months and years ahead. He is most deserving of this Award.”
In mid-November, 2008, when reports surfaced that President-elect Barack Obama was requiring Administration job applicants to state on a questionnaire whether or not they or members of their family own firearms, Sen. DeMint delivered an immediate critical response.
“I am deeply disturbed that President-elect Obama is asking job applicants whether they or members of their family own firearms,” said Sen. DeMint, “and they should not be discriminated against.
“The questionnaire already seeks information about illegal activity so there is no reason to ask this question unless the Obama Administration plans to use it to discriminate based on lawful activity. For this reason, I will seek to enact legislation to prohibit this type of discrimination.”
Sen. DeMint’s office in Greenville, South Carolina pointed out that number 59, which appears on the Obama employment “Questionnaire,” reads: “(59) Do you or any members of your immediate family own a gun? If so, provide complete ownership and registration information. Has the registration ever lapsed? Please also describe how and by whom it is used and whether it has been the cause of any personal injuries or property damage.”
When the Supreme Court nullified a District of Columbia ban on private handgun possession as unconstitutional and declared that the Second Amendment protected an individual right to keep and bear arms, Sen. DeMint reacted with great approval.
“The decision is a major victory for the constitutional right and freedom of all Americans to bear arms,” declared Sen. DeMint. “Today’s Second Amendment decision is an example of the Court fulfilling its constitutional duty to uphold the law instead of legislating from the bench.
“For too long; liberal activists and anti-gun rights politicians have attacked the individual right of every American to own firearms. Today, the Supreme Court removed any doubt that the Constitution guarantees our right to keep and bear arms, and protects those rights from liberal politicians. From self-defense to hunting, our country’s proud tradition of gun ownership should be preserved and celebrated.”
In 2007, Sen. DeMint voted to prohibit foreign and United Nations aid that restricts United States gun ownership by voting for an amendment to the U.S. Department of State International Aid bill which amendment prohibited the use of funds by international organizations, agencies and entities, including the United Nations, that require the registration of, or taxes guns owned by citizens of the United States.
In 2005, Sen. DeMint voted for a bill to prohibit civil liability actions from being brought or continued against manufacturers, distributors, dealers or importers of firearms or ammunition for damages, injunctive or other relief resulting from the misuse of their products by others. When enacted into law, this legislation became known as the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
In 2003, as a member at the time of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman DeMint voted for an earlier version of the legislation. He also cosponsored a bill to prohibit appropriated funds from being used by any U.S. official to promote any action by the UN which advocates the taxation of firearms or any other abrogation of rights under the Second Amendment to the Constitution.
In 1999, DeMint voted to pass a bill which requires anyone who purchases a gun at a gun show to go through an instant background check which must be completed within 24 hours rather than 72 hours.
Sen. DeMint and his wife, Debbie, reside in Greenville, South Carolina and are the proud parents of four married children and also are doting first-time grandparents.