There Should Not Be Stricter Gun Control Laws - Statement Of James M. Collins (r-tx), House Of Representatives, Before The Subcommittee On Crime, House Committee On The Judiciary, February 20, 1975

[There should be] legislation designed to reduce crimes committed with weapons by instituting mandatory, strict sentences for any person convicted of using a gun during the commission of a crime…. [and] prohibit[ing] the granting of a suspended sentence or a probationary sentence for any federal felony committed with a firearm.

Gun control laws will only result in a large criminal network of illegal firearms sales, thereby denying guns to all but criminals. Americans must maintain the right to own guns for the defense of their families and for sporting purposes. Without this right, our country would be a virtual police state with arbitrary control rights vested in the government. Let us put the criminal behind bars, keep him there, and work to rehabilitate him … instead of trying to pass legislation against the large majority of the solid citizens who own guns because of their interest in sports.