Issue Position: Second Amendment

Issue Position

"A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

The Second Amendment of the Constitution is as valid as the First Amendment's right of free speech and religion. Therefore, the Second Amendment should be supported as much as the First Amendment.

Some would say that the only reason a citizen should have a gun is to hunt. While I favor hunting and fishing and personally fish, the primary reason for the right to bear arms is to prevent tyranny from the government. An unarmed citizenry is easy to subjugate by a dictator. For instance, Hitler enacted gun control laws that disarmed the populace before he went on his WWII rampage.

The "right to bear arms" also means that armed citizens have the means to defend their homes, family, and life against criminals who do carry guns. It is argued that the police are supposed to defend us against criminals. This sounds comforting but the fact remains the police cannot be everywhere at the same time. Each person has the right of self defense and "bearing arms" will even the odds in favor of a potential victim.

This right to bear arms is not absolute in the same way the freedom of speech is not absolute. For example, one cannot shout "Fire!" in a crowded theater which causes a panic resulting in injury or loss of life. In a similar fashion, convicted felons do not have the "right to bear arms" because they have shown themselves to be dangerous to society. Another restriction would be on selling guns or ammunition to minors. However, citizens with no criminal record should have very few restrictions placed on purchasing or owning a gun. Those who are law abiding should not be treated as potential law breakers simply because they want to "bear arms."

I support the Second Amendment. I will work to ensure that the Constitutional rights of gun owners are not taken away from citizens with no criminal records.

Source