“Many Americans believe that if we simply pass the right laws, future horrors like the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting can be prevented. But this impulse ignores the self evident truth that criminals don’t obey laws.”

“The president and other government officials denounce school violence, yet still advocate for endless undeclared wars abroad……U.S. drone strikes kill thousands, but nobody in America holds vigils or devotes much news coverage to those victims, many of which are children…..”

“…….our federal government has zero moral authority to legislate against violence.”

“Government cannot create a world without risks, nor would we really wish to live in such a fictional place. Only a totalitarian society would even claim absolute safety as a worthy ideal, because it would require total state control over its citizens’ lives. We shouldn’t settle for substituting one type of violence for another. Government role is to protect liberty, not to pursue unobtainable safety.“

“Freedom is defined by the ability of citizens to live without government interference, not by safety.”

Ron Paul, U.S. Congressman from Texas

Read his full statement here.