We all need to stand up and thank Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) for putting a hold on Dr. Vivek Murthy, President Obama’s pick for Surgeon General of the United States. A hold is a parliamentary procedure that allows a Senator to prevent a motion (Murthy’s nomination) from reaching a vote on the Senate floor.

As this article points out, Paul wrote in a letter to Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada): “Historically, the Surgeon General of the United States has been a position with the purpose of educating Americans so that they may lead healthier lives, rather than advancing a political agenda.”

Murthy’s agenda? Very anti-gun.

Wrote Sen. Paul: “The primary policy goals of Dr. Murthy’s organization (Doctors for America) have been focused on advancing stricter gun control laws… In his efforts to curtail Second Amendment rights, Dr. Murthy has continually referred to guns as a public health issue on par with heart disease and has diminished the role of mental health in gun violence. As a physician, I am deeply concerned that he has advocated that doctors use their position of trust to ask patients, including minors, details about gun ownership in the home. His organization has also advocated that physicians collect and report data on gun ownership to the Federal Government and increasing Federal funding for gun control research.”

“Dr. Murthy has disqualified himself from being Surgeon General because of his intent to use that position to launch an attack on Americans’ right to own a firearm under the guise of a public health and safety campaign,” Paul wrote. “Accordingly, I will object to any unanimous consent agreement or the waiver of any rule with respect to the nomination of Dr. Murthy.”

Thank you Sen. Paul for standing up for our 2A rights.

But alas, I understand that new filibuster rules will allow the Senate to take a confirmation vote on Murthy regardless of the Senator’s objection. This country sure has changed.