Issue Position: Guns and Public Safety

Issue Position

Wyoming has the highest rate of gun ownership in the country, and my family and I are part of that group of Wyomingites. In 2008, the Supreme Court ruled explicitly for the first time that Americans had the individual right to bear arms. In that decision, Justice Scalia wrote that there are limitations on the 2ndAmendment (just like any of the other Amendments in the Bill of Rights)and that, among other things, the government can ban "dangerous and unusual weapons". Furthermore, the Constitution says the government must "insure Domestic Tranquility" and "providing for the general Welfare", while the Declaration of Independence states that"…Governments are instituted among Men…to effect their Safety and Happiness."
One of the fundamental roles of government is to protect the health and safety of its citizens, especially the most defenseless among us, our kids. So, thoughts and prayers are no longer good enough. Additionally, special interest groups claiming to speak for all Americans are trying to divide us and use fear to achieve their goals, which ARE NOT necessarily the goals of the Constitution or the American People.
Wyoming should take the lead in finding common sense solutions that protect real 2ndAmendment rights while balancing the right to personal safety of our kids and all of our citizens.
Autos used to kill more people than guns. America approached it as a public health and safety issue, making sure that people who shouldn't drive couldn't and making autos safer for people to operate. We should do the same with firearms; this means truly universal background checks, raising the age limit to purchase firearms, "red-flag" laws, ensuring that those who shouldn't have access to firearms (certain people with mental health issues, violent domestic violence abusers, etc.) don't, banning bump stocks that turn guns into automatic weapons (as our President wants to do) and looking at other possible changes such as requiring special permits and training for "dangerous and unusual weapons".
Again, contrary to what some private organizations claim, we can make our country safer and save lives while complying with the Constitution. It just takes common sense and real leadership.

Source