Carl Bussjaeger: Gun Rights Questionnaire, 2010: Other Races

I have taken up the task of sending the Gun Rights Questionnaire to all candidates for races in my own various districts. This includes US Senate, US House, Governor, Executive Council, State Senate, and State House.

While the response rate for politicians in races in my own districts was just 23% (and if they won't respond when they want our votes and support, why would you expect them to be responsive once safely in in office?), I have received responses from candidates in other districts. Since I've seen no sign that anyone is making an effort to canvass candidates in other districts (despite pointed hints to Gun Owners of New Hampshire), I'll post any more such responses here.

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

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.
The second amendment. Period. It is an individual right to keep and bear arms. And, such is right, in my opinion is absolute, supporting our "natural" right to self defense. Only limits I view as constitutional are removing this right from violent criminals who prey upon people in society.

4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.
Any jurisdiction who requires law-abiding citizens to obtain a license to possess a firearm; the National Firearms Act, which is nothing more than a cute play on words by calling it a tax on possession of class III firearms; Gun Safe School Zones; the endless patchwork of confusing local regulations some states have; the list goes on...restrictions of ammunition, caliber size, phony magazine capacity rules; trigger lock legislation, sham laws with phony names like, "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.

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?
absolutely.

7. Do you support or oppose registration of weapons? Why?
I oppose registration of weapons. I oppose registration of weapons because registration is a precursor for banning and confiscation of all privately held weapons. Given the framers original intent affording the people the right to throw off an oppressive government, a registration system serves no other purpose than to provide a means to curtail that constitutional right. Moreover, registries often become the pawn in fights over public versus non-public disclosure. So, not only does the government know "who" possesses arms, but so does the potential exist for every Tom, Dick and Rosie O'Donnell to know. Lets just call a gun registry a, "bad guys inventory and selection list"

8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms?
I do not support licensing to carry firearms. Why? Law-abiding citizens should never have to have the government's permission to do that which is already allowed by our constitution.

9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?
Rescinding NH Pistol and Revolver Licensing Requirement, making it optional and only to keep our reciprocity in other states. Unless of course a national right to carry is adopted.

10. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?
I will absolutely back my words. My votes on Concord will be about upholding the constitution versus doing that which allows me to keep my seat. If that means I am eventually voted out, then so be it! As a private citizen, I have been a staunch advocate for the Second Amendment. I was one of the organizers of the "one and only" Manchester GOP Machine Gun Shoot in 2007, while other candidates, professing to

1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land" and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges our birthrights?
According to the US Constitution itself, "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land..." Since the Laws and Treaties must be made in pursuance thereof and under the Authority of..." , that is a clear indication that the Constitution was envisioned as the 'supreme law.'

The Bill of Rights acknowledges our minimum rights. I believe in an expansive reading of the amendments, especially the IXth and Xth[.]

2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by all levels of government, including city, county and state?
YES. No branch of Government, and no level of Government, has been granted sole authority to decide on these rights or on the general constitutionality of legal issues. The notions of Federalism and Separate branches of Government *requires* that each be vigilant against the excess or error of the others.

3. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider constitutional.
Laws limiting recreational discharge in small public parks or urban areas (where bullets would likely trespass on the property of another) would pass constitutional muster as long as said laws did not prohibit the right to carry.

4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.
Mandatory trigger locks, proof of 'need,' discretionary licensing, registration, ammunition licensing, background checks, fingerprinting, prohibting released felons from owning arms for self-defense.

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?
Yes. The ability of the citizenry to take up arms against their own government was envisioned in the founding days of the Republic.

7. Do you support or oppose registration of weapons? Why?
I oppose registration, as weapons ownership is a form of "check and balance" by the citizens against government; registration is tantamount to revealing your game plan to the opposing team, and historically has been the first step towards increased government control (or prohibition) of firearms ownership by private citizens.

8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms? Why?
Oppose. Constitutional Rights do not require permission ( I similarly oppose requiring 'speech' permits to assemble or speak in a public square).

9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?
Repeal Concealed Carry; Expand hunting rights on one's own land; Enact Castle Doctrine.

10. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?
I am a Firearms owner, and have hosted Pink Pistols Shoots on my own property. I will continue to do so, and use these events to publicly promote the use of firearms for self-defense, hunting, and sport. In addition, I will sponsor and support legislation in furtherance of my responses above.