The Issues: Right to Bear Arms

Law-abiding, responsible citizens do not and should not need to ask anyone's permission or approval to engage in a peaceful activity. Gun ownership, by itself, harms no other person and cannot morally justify criminal penalties.

Particularly, my Democratic opponent fails to recognize the meaning of the Second Amendment. Bob Etheridge was given failing grades by both the NRA and Gun Owners of America; a look at his voting record will explain why this is so. If you want a representative that respects the Second Amendment and your right to defend yourself and your family, vote for Will Adkins. He has received an excellent rating by Grass Roots North Carolina and Gun Owners of America.

Constitutional Rights

Despite claims otherwise, the Second Amendment is not about duck hunting, target shooting, gun collecting, or any other 'sporting purpose.' America's founders fought the Revolutionary War to throw off British tyranny. Most of the revolutionaries owned and used their own guns in that war. After the war, in 1789, the 13 American States adopted the Constitution, creating the federal government. Before ratifying the Constitution, the people demanded a Bill of Rights to prevent our government from depriving them of their liberties as the British had done.

One of the most important protections we have against government tyranny is that we are presumed innocent of any crime until proven guilty, before a jury, in a proper trial.

Gun control advocates would declare all gun owners guilty without trial, simply for owning guns, even though millions of them have never used their guns to harm another person. Such blanket condemnation is immoral, unfair and contrary to the principles on which America was founded.

Those who would destroy our firearm freedoms claim the 'militia' language in the Second Amendment means that individuals do not have the right to bear arms, except when serving as part of the state organized militia. This revisionist approach to stripping us of our rights is not supported by history. At the time the Constitution was written, all free men between the ages of 17 and 50 were considered members of the militia. If the militia was called up, citizens were expected to provide their own arms.

The Prohibition Lesson

Gun control advocates are much like the prohibitionists of the early 20th Century. By making liquor illegal, they spawned organized crime, caused bloody, violent turf wars and corrupted the criminal justice system. Today's war on drugs has exactly the same results.

Prohibition didn't stop liquor use; the drug laws can't stop drug use. Making gun ownership illegal will not stop gun ownership. The primary victim of these misguided efforts is the honest citizen whose civil rights are trampled as frustrated legislators and police tighten the screws.

Banning guns will make guns more expensive and give organized crime a great opportunity to make profits in a new black market for weapons. Street violence will increase in new turf wars. Criminals will not give up their guns. But, many law abiding citizens will, leaving them defenseless against armed bandits.

A recent study by the Cato Institute shows that if all 50 states allowed the right of an individual to carry a concealed weapon, we would have 1,500 fewer murders, 4,000 fewer rapes, and 60,000 fewer aggravated assaults per year nationwide. These violent crimes not only cost thousands of lives, they leave us with an estimated monetary cost of over $6.2 billion. Since the NC General Assembly restored the right to carry concealed weapons, we have seen a reduction in crime. The Cato Institute found that in states which allowed citizens to keep and carry firearms, criminals shifted to property crimes with minimal chance of confrontation with a potentially armed victim.

The Right of Self Defense

Like other Libertarians, I agree with the majority of Americans who believe they have the right to decide how best to protect themselves, their families and their property. Millions of Americans have guns in their homes and sleep more comfortably because of it. Studies show that where gun ownership is illegal, residential burglaries are higher. A man with a gun in his home is no threat to you if you aren't breaking into it.

The police do not provide security in your home, your business or the street. They show up after the crime to take reports and do detective work. The poorer the neighborhood, the riskier it is for peaceful residents.

Only an armed citizenry can be present in sufficient numbers to prevent or deter violent crime before it starts, or to reduce its spread. Interviews with convicted felons indicate that fear of the armed citizen significantly deters crime. A criminal is more likely to be driven off from a particular crime by an armed victim than to be convicted and imprisoned for it. Thus, widespread gun ownership will make neighborhoods safer.

Foolish politicians and police now seek to ban semi-automatic "assault rifles". They ignore the fact that only honest citizens will comply; criminals will still have them. Such a ban will only increase the criminals' ability to victimize the innocent.

Personal Responsibility

Guns are not the problem. They are inanimate objects. Gun control advocates talk as if guns could act on their own, as if human beings cannot control them, so the uncontrollable guns must be banished.

Let us put the responsibility where it belongs, on the owner and user of the gun. If he or she acts responsibly, without attacking others or causing injury negligently, no crime or harm has been done. Leave them in peace. But, if a person commits a crime with a gun, then impose the severest penalties for the injuries done to the victim. Similarly, hold the negligent gun user fully liable for all harm his negligence does to others.

Rather than banning guns, the politicians and the police should encourage gun ownership, as well as education and training programs. A responsible, well-armed and trained citizenry is the best protection against domestic crime and the threat of foreign invasion. America's founders knew that. It is still true today.

On the Issue:

The right to keep and bear arms is inherent in the right of self-defense, defense of the family, and defense against tyranny, conferred on the individual and the community to safeguard life, liberty, and property, as well as to help preserve the independence of the nation. I support the Gun Owners of America and the National Rifle Association, of which I am a member, in their efforts to promote the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
I oppose "Emergency Powers" enabling states to set aside the U.S. Constitution in times of crisis and to confiscate weapons legally owned by citizens. This is the time in which the right to bear arms is most needed.
I support a citizen's right to carry firearms (or other weapons), whether concealed or not, for self-protection. I oppose gun registration and instant-background check schemes that allow the government to create lists of what citizens own what weapons or ammunition. Possession of such a list by government leads inevitably to confiscation of the citizens' weapons.
In lieu of gun registration and instant-background checks, I support severe penalties for those, such as felons on probation, who are found to be in possession of firearms.
I support rescinding all executive orders, and prohibiting future executive orders, and the prohibition of treaty ratification that would in any way limit the right to keep and bear arms. This includes initiatives by the UN to disarm American citizens or tax firearms.
I believe, in the context provided by the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, the right to keep and bear arms allows for citizens to defend itself from military as well as criminal threats; for this reason, I support the right to possess assault weapons.
I understand that 'when guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.' Sadly, this was illustrated during the VA Tech incident; the killer had the weapon and the victims were defenseless. Had the victims been able to defend themselves, the outcome may have been different.
I support the right of individuals to use lethal force, if necessary, to defend self and family from violent assault - both in or away from the home.
I support initiatives ending the anti-gun lobby's shameless attempts to bankrupt the American firearms industry through reckless lawsuits. These suits are intended to drive gun-makers out of business by holding manufacturers and dealers liable for the criminal acts of third parties who are totally beyond their control. Suing the firearms industry for a street crime is like suing General Motors because a criminal's getaway car happened to be a Buick.
I oppose legislation at any level of government restricting, regulating or requiring the ownership, manufacture, transfer or sale of firearms or ammunition.
I oppose legislation that would allow government-appointed psychiatrists to ban U.S. veterans experiencing even mild forms of post-traumatic stress syndrome from ever owning a gun.
I support ending the ban on carrying firearms in the National Park System - restoring Americans' ability to protect themselves in potentially hazardous situations.
I support the disbanding or restructuring of certain government agencies, such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) whose very existence is predicated upon limiting or denying Second Amendment rights. While I condemn acts of terrorism, I oppose using terrorist acts as an excuse by government to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens.
I oppose any government bans or restrictions on the use of tear gas, "mace" or other self-protection devices.
I further oppose all attempts to ban weapons or ammunition on the grounds that they are risky or unsafe.
I favor the repeal of laws banning the concealment of weapons or prohibiting pocket weapons.
I also oppose the banning of inexpensive handguns and semi-automatic weapons or their magazines.
I oppose legislation such as the "Gun Free School Zones" ban that would sentence those in possession of firearms (within a 1/2 mile diameter around any school) to up to 5 years in prison. This would infringe upon the rights of those who lived within this area to keep firearms within their own homes for self-protection or any other reason.
I oppose the Lautenberg Domestic Misdemeanor Gun Ban; this ban disarms for life those citizens who have been convicted of misdemeanors such as spanking a child.
I support reciprocity that would allow a person who has the right to carry a concealed weapon in his or her home state to have the right to carry in other states.
I oppose legislation that would mandate the use of trigger locks, installation of smart gun technologies, or requiring all weapons to be otherwise locked up when not in use.

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Main Menu Home About Will The Issues The 2nd District News and Events Contact Us Get Involved Contribute Links and Resources MySpace Page Facebook Profile Candidate Profile Team Liberty Content Management	Right to Bear Arms On The Issues Government Reform Election Reform Energy Independence Foreign Policy Taxation National Defense Rights and Liberties Nanny Government Freedom of Religion Freedom of Speech Right to Bear Arms Right to Life Right to Privacy Social and Domestic Issues Agriculture Crime and Violence Drug Issues Education and School Choice Environment Family Budget Healthcare Housing Immigration & Border Security Marriage and Family Poverty and Welfare Social Security and Retirement Technology & Infrastructure Communications Internet Other Technologies 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. -Second Amendment, US Bill of Rights Law-abiding, responsible citizens do not and should not need to ask anyone's permission or approval to engage in a peaceful activity. Gun ownership, by itself, harms no other person and cannot morally justify criminal penalties. Particularly, my Democratic opponent fails to recognize the meaning of the Second Amendment. Bob Etheridge was given failing grades by both the NRA and Gun Owners of America; a look at his voting record will explain why this is so. If you want a representative that respects the Second Amendment and your right to defend yourself and your family, vote for Will Adkins. He has received an excellent rating by Grass Roots North Carolina and Gun Owners of America. Constitutional Rights Despite claims otherwise, the Second Amendment is not about duck hunting, target shooting, gun collecting, or any other 'sporting purpose.' America's founders fought the Revolutionary War to throw off British tyranny. Most of the revolutionaries owned and used their own guns in that war. After the war, in 1789, the 13 American States adopted the Constitution, creating the federal government. Before ratifying the Constitution, the people demanded a Bill of Rights to prevent our government from depriving them of their liberties as the British had done. One of the most important protections we have against government tyranny is that we are presumed innocent of any crime until proven guilty, before a jury, in a proper trial. Gun control advocates would declare all gun owners guilty without trial, simply for owning guns, even though millions of them have never used their guns to harm another person. Such blanket condemnation is immoral, unfair and contrary to the principles on which America was founded. Those who would destroy our firearm freedoms claim the 'militia' language in the Second Amendment means that individuals do not have the right to bear arms, except when serving as part of the state organized militia. This revisionist approach to stripping us of our rights is not supported by history. At the time the Constitution was written, all free men between the ages of 17 and 50 were considered members of the militia. If the militia was called up, citizens were expected to provide their own arms. The Prohibition Lesson Gun control advocates are much like the prohibitionists of the early 20th Century. By making liquor illegal, they spawned organized crime, caused bloody, violent turf wars and corrupted the criminal justice system. Today's war on drugs has exactly the same results. Prohibition didn't stop liquor use; the drug laws can't stop drug use. Making gun ownership illegal will not stop gun ownership. The primary victim of these misguided efforts is the honest citizen whose civil rights are trampled as frustrated legislators and police tighten the screws. Banning guns will make guns more expensive and give organized crime a great opportunity to make profits in a new black market for weapons. Street violence will increase in new turf wars. Criminals will not give up their guns. But, many law abiding citizens will, leaving them defenseless against armed bandits. A recent study by the Cato Institute shows that if all 50 states allowed the right of an individual to carry a concealed weapon, we would have 1,500 fewer murders, 4,000 fewer rapes, and 60,000 fewer aggravated assaults per year nationwide. These violent crimes not only cost thousands of lives, they leave us with an estimated monetary cost of over $6.2 billion. Since the NC General Assembly restored the right to carry concealed weapons, we have seen a reduction in crime. The Cato Institute found that in states which allowed citizens to keep and carry firearms, criminals shifted to property crimes with minimal chance of confrontation with a potentially armed victim. The Right of Self Defense Like other Libertarians, I agree with the majority of Americans who believe they have the right to decide how best to protect themselves, their families and their property. Millions of Americans have guns in their homes and sleep more comfortably because of it. Studies show that where gun ownership is illegal, residential burglaries are higher. A man with a gun in his home is no threat to you if you aren't breaking into it. The police do not provide security in your home, your business or the street. They show up after the crime to take reports and do detective work. The poorer the neighborhood, the riskier it is for peaceful residents. Only an armed citizenry can be present in sufficient numbers to prevent or deter violent crime before it starts, or to reduce its spread. Interviews with convicted felons indicate that fear of the armed citizen significantly deters crime. A criminal is more likely to be driven off from a particular crime by an armed victim than to be convicted and imprisoned for it. Thus, widespread gun ownership will make neighborhoods safer. Foolish politicians and police now seek to ban semi-automatic "assault rifles". They ignore the fact that only honest citizens will comply; criminals will still have them. Such a ban will only increase the criminals' ability to victimize the innocent. Personal Responsibility Guns are not the problem. They are inanimate objects. Gun control advocates talk as if guns could act on their own, as if human beings cannot control them, so the uncontrollable guns must be banished. Let us put the responsibility where it belongs, on the owner and user of the gun. If he or she acts responsibly, without attacking others or causing injury negligently, no crime or harm has been done. Leave them in peace. But, if a person commits a crime with a gun, then impose the severest penalties for the injuries done to the victim. Similarly, hold the negligent gun user fully liable for all harm his negligence does to others. Rather than banning guns, the politicians and the police should encourage gun ownership, as well as education and training programs. A responsible, well-armed and trained citizenry is the best protection against domestic crime and the threat of foreign invasion. America's founders knew that. It is still true today. On the Issue: The right to keep and bear arms is inherent in the right of self-defense, defense of the family, and defense against tyranny, conferred on the individual and the community to safeguard life, liberty, and property, as well as to help preserve the independence of the nation. I support the Gun Owners of America and the National Rifle Association, of which I am a member, in their efforts to promote the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. I oppose "Emergency Powers" enabling states to set aside the U.S. Constitution in times of crisis and to confiscate weapons legally owned by citizens. This is the time in which the right to bear arms is most needed. I support a citizen's right to carry firearms (or other weapons), whether concealed or not, for self-protection. I oppose gun registration and instant-background check schemes that allow the government to create lists of what citizens own what weapons or ammunition. Possession of such a list by government leads inevitably to confiscation of the citizens' weapons. In lieu of gun registration and instant-background checks, I support severe penalties for those, such as felons on probation, who are found to be in possession of firearms. I support rescinding all executive orders, and prohibiting future executive orders, and the prohibition of treaty ratification that would in any way limit the right to keep and bear arms. This includes initiatives by the UN to disarm American citizens or tax firearms. I believe, in the context provided by the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, the right to keep and bear arms allows for citizens to defend itself from military as well as criminal threats; for this reason, I support the right to possess assault weapons. I understand that 'when guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.' Sadly, this was illustrated during the VA Tech incident; the killer had the weapon and the victims were defenseless. Had the victims been able to defend themselves, the outcome may have been different. I support the right of individuals to use lethal force, if necessary, to defend self and family from violent assault - both in or away from the home. I support initiatives ending the anti-gun lobby's shameless attempts to bankrupt the American firearms industry through reckless lawsuits. These suits are intended to drive gun-makers out of business by holding manufacturers and dealers liable for the criminal acts of third parties who are totally beyond their control. Suing the firearms industry for a street crime is like suing General Motors because a criminal's getaway car happened to be a Buick. I oppose legislation at any level of government restricting, regulating or requiring the ownership, manufacture, transfer or sale of firearms or ammunition. I oppose legislation that would allow government-appointed psychiatrists to ban U.S. veterans experiencing even mild forms of post-traumatic stress syndrome from ever owning a gun. I support ending the ban on carrying firearms in the National Park System - restoring Americans' ability to protect themselves in potentially hazardous situations. I support the disbanding or restructuring of certain government agencies, such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) whose very existence is predicated upon limiting or denying Second Amendment rights. While I condemn acts of terrorism, I oppose using terrorist acts as an excuse by government to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens. I oppose any government bans or restrictions on the use of tear gas, "mace" or other self-protection devices. I further oppose all attempts to ban weapons or ammunition on the grounds that they are risky or unsafe. I favor the repeal of laws banning the concealment of weapons or prohibiting pocket weapons. I also oppose the banning of inexpensive handguns and semi-automatic weapons or their magazines. I oppose legislation such as the "Gun Free School Zones" ban that would sentence those in possession of firearms (within a 1/2 mile diameter around any school) to up to 5 years in prison. This would infringe upon the rights of those who lived within this area to keep firearms within their own homes for self-protection or any other reason. I oppose the Lautenberg Domestic Misdemeanor Gun Ban; this ban disarms for life those citizens who have been convicted of misdemeanors such as spanking a child. I support reciprocity that would allow a person who has the right to carry a concealed weapon in his or her home state to have the right to carry in other states. I oppose legislation that would mandate the use of trigger locks, installation of smart gun technologies, or requiring all weapons to be otherwise locked up when not in use.
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