Judiciary chairman: Al Qaeda threat no reason to change gun laws :: 06/16/2011

A top Republican has rejected the notion that Congress should re-examine the nation's gun laws after al Qaeda urged Muslims to attack America by exploiting loose firearm rules.

Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said tightening gun laws to address the threat would be to surrender to terrorists at the expense of Americans' rights.

"We've seen time and again that terrorists will use anything, including our own rights and freedoms, to plot attacks against innocent Americans," Smith said in an email. "But simply because terrorists abuse our liberties doesn't mean that we should limit the rights of law-abiding Americans. On the contrary, to limit our rights is to give in to terrorists and the fear they try to spread."

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