“In today’s world, it is so important that we do everything that we can to keep Americans safe.” Lee Zeldin (R-NY-1) is a family man, veteran, and dedicated citizen. In his work as U.S. Representative for New York’s First Congressional District on Long Island, he prioritizes the safety of his constituents and all Americans.

When it seems like the current President and his administration are more concerned with a kinder, gentler and even apologetic global image for the United States, Lee Zeldin believes in keeping America strong and safe.

That’s why last December, Lee introduced the Protect America Act (H.R. 4237), which will “prevent terrorists from being able to purchase firearms or explosives while protecting the due process rights of law abiding citizens.”

The bill’s mantle is that terrorists should “absolutely not” not be able to purchase firearms or explosives. The bill goes beyond that to also protect the Second Amendment rights of Americans.

In denying a gun purchase, Zeldin believes the burden of proof should be on the Federal government to show probable cause. Citizens have a constitutionally supported right to due process, and the bill protects that right within the context of purchasing fire arms.

“Additionally, citizens deserve their right to notice, counsel and a hearing related to the presentation of this evidence justifying the denial of the purchase [of a firearm],” according to Zeldin.

The bill also addresses the need for diligent vetting and updating of terrorist watch lists to “remove all erroneous entries” on such lists. Americans deserve protection from both potential attacks and from being falsely identified as a potential threat.

Shortly after the terrorist attack on innocent Americans at a night club in Orlando, Fla., Lee Zeldin made a statement that hit home and demonstrated his commitment to protecting Americans:

“The handgun and Sig Sauer rifle used in this terrorist attack did not march itself into the nightclub and discharge itself. There was a shooter who was a radicalized Islamic terrorist pledging allegiance to ISIS, who violently hated the LGBT community and yelled “Allahu Akbar” while killing 49 innocent Americans. There is a whole lot more going on here beyond the gun control debate and attempts to narrow this issue so glaringly is alienating the rest of our country who understand the bigger picture.”

Guns aren’t the problem; unrestricted access to guns by terrorists is part of the problem. Denying reasonable access to lawful American citizens is not a solution.

The Protect America Act is a solution.

If concerned Americans contacted their Representatives and urged them to support the bill more lives could be saved. A deterrent today is always better than a reaction too late.

Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., said, “A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.”

H.R. 4237 doesn’t to pretend to fix everything that could be better about terrorists and guns in America, but it would bring us that much closer to the perfect plan.

“In order to form a more perfect Union,” from the preamble of the U.S. Constitution, means that we as Americans strive for perfection in everything we do, while recognizing that we are not perfect.

The Judeo/Christian ethic of following the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule help guide our decision making and form the basis of our values. These principles also guided our founders and offer illumination on our struggles today.

Lee Zeldin appreciates these American values, which is why he introduced the Protect America Act. He walks-the-walk as an American soldier, is a loving husband and father, and keeps his faith as a practicing religious American.

Just past the 15^th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, are we any safer today than we were on September 12, 2001?

Supporting Lee Zeldin for Congress and encouraging your Congressmen and women to support the Protect America Act would be a big step in keeping all Americans safer in a stronger U.S.A.

Montgomery Granger is a veteran, retired U.S. Army major, and author of “Saving Grace at Guantanamo Bay: A Memoir of a Citizen Warrior.”