2nd Amendment

While my stance on the right to bear arms is the same as any other natural right, the amendment defending it is worth discussing. Some people will argue the 2nd Amendment only refers to federally recognized branches of the military and militia, however this ignores the structure of the amendment. It clearly prevents the federal government from restricting “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms” in any manner. The term “regulated” in 1791 referred to training, not restriction of arms.

 

The 2nd Amendment was inspired by Section 13 of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, establishing that the people are the militia, and that this is the most natural form of defense for a free state. Switzerland, operating under a militia system, has been able to successfully deter invasion for centuries; proving this system has merit even in modern day. Similarly, American gun owners deter invasion, tyranny, usurpation, and crime simply by existing in the numbers that they do.

 

Many anti-gun activist will argue it is America’s Gun Culture that is to blame for America’s high number of firearm-related deaths, but when you look at the facts more closely it appears there is a greater social issue at play. Over half of our firearm-related deaths are suicides. Most our firearm-related homicides aren’t prevented by additional laws, and many take place in cities with high gang presence and existing firearm regulations. I believe if we want to see firearm-related deaths diminish we must first ask ourselves what we can do to better our communities.

 

There are plenty of examples of how culture affects firearm-related deaths. Sweden got the brunt of this when they went from one of the safest countries in the world, to having the highest level of firearm-related deaths in Europe; not due to a change in law, but by social upheaval. Those who prioritize security over liberty will continue to argue the answer is more control; the surveillance state. However, I stand on the side of liberty and believe if the people aren’t controlled (i.e. conditioned for compliance), they are capable of solving their own problems. This also ensures nobody is obligated to rely on the government to defend themselves or their family.

 

As a U.S. Representative I would vote against all so-called “gun control” and work to repeal the National Firearm Act and abolish the ATF. Not a single federal gun law is Constitutional, moral, or statistically beneficial. I’d like to see our schools, communities, and churches begin working to address the suicidal and homicidal tendencies that are affecting young Americans, which I believe is at the heart of most firearm-related deaths in the United States.