Juneau -- Representative John Coghill (R-Fairbanks) said he has introduced a resolution to encourage Congress to repeal the Brady Handgun Protection Act because it "has directly undermined a fundamental protection each citizen has under the supreme law of the land."

HJR 35 is a resolution requesting the United State Congress uphold the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and repeal the Brady Act. Coghill said the law is unconstitutional because "it violates the provisions of U.S. Constitution and the Alaska Constitution guaranteeing the right to keep and bear arms."

Coghill said the Second Amendment protects a fundamental right, "there's something wrong when a government assumes having a handgun makes you a criminal." He said that well over 90 % of all crimes are committed without the use of a handgun.

Amendments to the Brady Act have further limited ownership and use of rifles and shotguns. Now the FBI further invades the privacy of citizens through FBI maintained registration checks.

"It's time to repeal the law that would be used against citizens instead of against criminals," said Coghill.