Photo from Randy Walker  Campaign site.

In an effort to learn candidates' views, I am providing a gun rights questionnaire to Tennessee political candidates. Here are candidate Randy Walker's views:

May 7, 2010

1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land" and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges our birthrights?

The Bill of Rights stands as our protection as citizens of this great country from excessive government intrusion into our inalienable rights endowed by our creator.

2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by all levels of government, including city, county and state

I believe that the rights protected by the Bill of Rights are protected under the Constitution.

3. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider constitutional.

I believe in the rights of the citizens to keep and bear arms and any gun laws that violate this proposition are unconstitutional.

4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.

Again, I believe in the rights of the citizens to keep and bear arms and any gun laws that violate this proposition are unconstitutional.

5. Does the right to bear arms include the right for any peaceable citizen to carry them concealed without a permit, as in Vermont?

I am unfamiliar with the laws in the State of Vermont, but I do support Tennessee’s gun laws.

6. Do you believe that Americans have a right to own, use and carry weapons of military pattern, and will you use the prestige of elected office to publicly promote that right?

I believe there are federal laws that limit the availability of military weaponry for citizens. As a State Senator, I will be unable to change any such Federal laws. However, as a sportsman, a member of the NRA, and a long time member of the Tennessee Bear and Boar Club, I fully support the rights of Americans to keep and bear arms and will use the prestige of my office to publicly support our 2nd Amendment rights.

7. Do you support or oppose registration of weapons? Why?

I support Tennessee’s gun laws and I oppose any registration scheme, which could be used to restrict the rights of Americans to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights.

8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms? Why?

I support Tennessee’s gun laws. With domestic terrorism a concern in our post 9/11 world, I do support licensing so long as it is not overly burdensome on merchants or those who wish to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights. I oppose any licensing requirement that seeks to limit an American citizen from exercising their 2nd Amendment rights.

9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?

I support Tennessee’s gun laws and am not aware of any State gun laws that I will work in the State Senate to repeal. However, I will oppose any State gun laws that seek to prevent an American citizen from exercising their 2nd Amendment rights.

10. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?

I will support the exercise of an American citizen’s right to bear arms and protect the 2nd Amendment in whatever way possible as a member of the Tennessee State Senate.

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Disclaimer: The information and ideas presented in this column are provided for informational purposes only. Gunrights, like all other Constitutionally recognized rights, must be exercised responsibly. Firearms, like cars, kitchen knives and life itself all can be dangerous. You should get professional training as part of any plan to use firearms for any purpose. I have made a reasonable, good-faith effort to assure that the content of this column is accurate. I have no control over what you do, and specifically accept no responsibility for anything you do as a result of reading my columns. Any action or lack of action on your part is strictly your responsibility.