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Linda Biamonte, candidate for Congress in the Republican primary in District 2, is the second candidate to apply to be a Certified Constitutional Candidate. (The first was Donna Ward.) The decision between the two has not been made at posting time. Here are her answers to the C3 questionnaire, and specifically why she is running for Congress:

Why are you running for Congress?

I am running for congress because we must take a stand against the assault from the progressives in our current government.   This includes both Republican and Democrats to change the actual landscape including but, not limited to religion, laws, economics, freedoms and liberties.  Our founders gave us a truly perfect document in the constitution, most of our current elected officials who took the oath to uphold have not lived up to their duly elected duty to do so for the very people they represent.  We are in dangerous times and we must elect representatives like me that will stand up for our constitution and our great country!  I am an extension of my constituent’s voices and they must be heard.

What specific things is the federal/State governments empowered to provide?

Those, which are enumerated in Article 1 Section 8. But, there has been abuse by our congresses on the “Necessary and Proper Clause” and “Commerce Clause” taking powers given under the 10th amendment to the states.

Article 1 is the most violated of all articles by our federal government which is directly related to the Bill of Rights.  The violation of power taken by the executive branch in the most recent century is mind boggling.  Every time this happens congress which, is suppose to be the most powerful branch becomes the least powerful branch.    The constitution does give separation of powers regarding the states and federal government.  No one can say it better than James Madison; Federalist 45:

"The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined.  Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.  The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce; with which last the power of taxation will, for the most part, be connected.  The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people; and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the State.

"The operations of the federal government will be most extensive and important in times of war and danger; those of the State governments in times of peace and security."

Does "the right of the people to keep and bear arms" mean an individual right? If not, why not?

Yes. We are the militia.  In defining the 2nd amendment our founders provided that the people were the “Well Regulated” militia to secure a “Free State”.  Though many and even our courts get caught up in the end of the amendment “the right to bear arms, the most telling and important part is “well regulated” militia, being necessary to the security of a free state.  It is very clear our founders weren’t referring to a standing professional army.  The federalist papers explain this clearly.  In every case the term militia is used as an alternative to a standing, professional army.  Most of the states constitutions explain a militia as being “able bodied’ persons this is the common understanding of militia (You & me)

And if so, does this permit any restrictions of any kind on the lawful ownership of any sort of weapon?

No. All firearms as well as ammo are to be protected under the 2nd Amendment.

Do you accept or reject the proposition that an armed citizen militia, i.e. all citizens, who are not law-enforcement officers or members of any armed service, who happen to own weapons, is the last line of civil defense, with which the government ought not to interfere?

Yes. (see above.)

As a corollary to the above, will you introduce, sponsor, or otherwise support measures to allow any common transport carrier or station to allow its officers to become part of that citizen's militia by carrying arms on the job?

Yes, all of the above

Next:

Linda Biamonte on the Bill of Rights

Linda Biamonte on amending the Constitution

This article is part of the C3 series.

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