Jen Veldhuyzen Tester: Lift State Department's M-1 Import Ban

A Big Sky Democrat senator joined a chorus of frustrated M-1 enthusiasts as Obama intransigents continue to ignore bipartisan efforts to return American heritage firearms from South Korea.

“Over a year ago, I made it clear that the State Department shouldn’t be denying responsible Americans their Second Amendment rights. It’s a shame that the State Department keeps slow-walking this process because what we’re talking about here is a piece of America’s heritage, nothing more,” said Sen. Jon Tester (D.-Mont.) , who is up for re-election in 2012.

Two years ago, the Republic of Korea offered to sell over 80,000 American-made Korean War-era M-1 Garands back to the State Department, but in 2010, the State Department refused to allow the historic weapons into the United States, said Erich M. Pratt, communications director for Gun Owners of America.

“The only thing that we can surmise is the anti-gun animus that this administration holds towards our Second Amendment rights,” said Pratt.

GOA issued a letter, e-mailed, and encouraged its members to put pressure on Congress to support the Garand sale, he said.

Yet, over a year after the 2010 decision to disallow entry to nearly a million firearms, the State Department has not replied to Gun Owners of America, he said.

MORE