Gun rights questionnaire spreading to other races

United States Senate Art & History

From the start, I've advocated the gun rights political questionnaire to be used as a force multiplier by local activists to pin down candidates in their states and areas. I've never intended to be the clearinghouse for all races--there just ain't enough of me. Rather, I've wanted to limit myself to focus on some key national races, notably the Senate contest in Nevada and trying to deny a spot on the ticket to a wretched anti-gun Republican in Illinois.

That said, some of you have sent out questionnaires and forwarded the responses to me, and some candidates have submitted their answers out of the blue, including for state and local races. This does have its benefits: One guy--Joel Stoner, the mayor of the tiny town of Macks Creek, MO (pop. 267), came up with what I think is a terrific idea:

I personally have been talking to the NRA to form a Mayors who support gun rights, to counter Bloomberg's Mayors Against Illegal Guns(MAIG).

Now that's leadership.

I continue to encourage you to send candidates the questionnaire. You can publicize their answers through email lists, on forums, via blogs--and encourage the candidates to post them on their campaign website "issues" page. Just please understand if I can't give them all the individual attention they deserve here.

With that said, here are some other candidates who have responded--several from New Hampshire and one from Illinois. I'm sorry I have to present them all here and can't give each one his own individual column, but as I said, one of me, lots of them.

Bob Guida, Candidate, United States House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional District, NH

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

Yes. I am a strict constructionist, supported by my voting record as a 6-year/3-term State Representative in the NH House.

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

Yes.

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

Castle doctrine, Vermont carry.

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

Restrictions on caliber or type of weapon, requirements for trigger locks.

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

Yes, providing the peaceable citizen is not a convicted felon.

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?

Yes.

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

I am solidly opposed. Registration invariably leads to attempts, and ultimately, successful confiscation. It is also a violation of the 2nd and 4th Amendments to the Constitution.

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

I am solidly opposed, for the same reasons as #7.

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

I am open to suggestions.

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

I will back my words in Congress the same way I backed them during my 6 years in the NH House: with my vote honoring the only sworn obligation of every Representative: to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

For more information: Visit the Bob Giuda for Congress campaign website.

Ken Blevens Libertarian Candidate for U.S. Senate NH

1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land" ?

YES and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges MY rights? YES... The individual right to say no and not be armed must also be recognized.

We must all recognizes it is a bill of "INDIVIDUAL" rights that cannot and must not be bundled and controlled. Legislation is law, law is control hence Law and Order control by force.

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

See below.

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

YES. But not through legislation.

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

None

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

All

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

YES

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?

???

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

OPPOSE

Registration is an infringement.

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

OPPOSE Licensing is limiting by it’s very nature.

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

All

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

YES

How?

Not through legislation only through repeal.

For more information: Visit the Ken Blevens for U.S. Senate campaign website.

I am told Mr. Blevens answers are shared by Howard L.Wilson, Libertarian for US House, 2nd district.

Tom Alciere for U.S. Senator, New Hampshire 2010

Candidate Tom Alciere has posted the Q&A on his campaign website, which is a great thing to do.

Click here to read his responses.

For more information: Visit Tom Alciere for U.S. Senator, New Hampshire 2010 campaign website.

Paul Hodes for U.S. Senate, New Hampshire

Hodes is a Democrat and currently a congressman. Here are his answer to the 10 questions:

Thank you for contacting me about gun control. I truly appreciate hearing from you, and I am working hard to stand up for New Hampshire's interests in Congress.

The U.S. must adopt and maintain policies that balance upholding the gun rights included in the Second Amendment of the Constitution with the privileges afforded by this right. I believe that our Second Amendment right to "keep and bear arms" is compatible with our need for responsible use of our guns and protections of our citizens. New Hampshire has a long and proud tradition of responsible gun ownership and use.

I encourage you to continue to contact me about the issues that are important to you. Please feel free to visit my website at www.hodes.house.gov where you can share your ideas with me, learn about the services I can provide to you, and sign up for my periodic e-mail updates on what I am doing to help New Hampshire.

OK, then. This is exactly what the questionnaire was designed to put a stop to, and he was told up front specific answers were being sought. I don't think he deserves a campaign website link for that weasely bit of arrogant and disrespectful dismissal. At least NH gunowners know who not to vote for.

Lex Green, Libertarian candidate for Governor of Illinois

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

I believe the Constitution is the guide for federal law. But I do not believe any interpretation of it should be “supreme” as compared to state law or individual rights. Yes, the Bill of Rights is a good start at acknowledging the inherent rights of individuals. But I also believe in the 9th Amendment; that no enumeration of rights should be construed to limit other rights of the people.

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

Since those rights are inherent in each of us, no government, local, state or otherwise, shall infringe on those rights.

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

As the 2nd Amendment states, we have a pre-existing right to keep and bear arms and it shall not be infringed by any law. Any law that protects or encourages gun ownership would be constitutional, although I can’t think of many examples except recent state legislation in Montana and 6 other states that protect against federal infringement by invoking the 10th Amendment.

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

The Chicago handgun ban. An assault weapons ban.

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

Yes. A concealed carry permit is still asking permission for something that is our inalienable right, although I will sign a concealed carry permit law if it passes my desk.

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?

Yes. The second and third Amendments identify the fear of an oppressive army that could be brought to bear upon the people. Therefore no arms that deter oppression should be regulated. I will work to protect that right as governor of Illinois.

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

I oppose registration. It serves no purpose in a free society.

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

I oppose licensing ownership. If a License to Carry bill crosses my desk, I will sign it. This is a better alternative than a concealed carry PERMIT.

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

I want to remove prohibitions on carry, ease transportation regulations and eliminate the FOID card.

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

As Governor, I will veto any law which seeks to restrict gun ownership and encourage pro-rights legislation. I cannot pass law, but I can stop it with my veto pen.

For more information: Visit the Lex Green Libertarian for Governor campaign website and check out his 2nd Amendment issues page.

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As you can see, trying to include all candidates in all races could quickly become unmanageable and undoable for one man. Perhaps the best way to handle publicizing candidates you approach is to ask them to post their answers on their campaign websites and send me a link. Also, if you maintain a blog or have contacts at a state or local grassroots gun rights group, see if they will follow the excellent example set by Gun Owners of Nevada, where they adopt the questionnaire, send it to candidates and post the results on their site.