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New Hampshire Candidates Respond to Gun Rights Questionnaire
Response Rate: 37.2%
vs.
Actually-Answered-the-Questions Rate: 25.6%
Collated by Carl Bussjaeger
I spent several months gathering and preparing this data for your use. If you find it helpful as you make your voting plans, please show your appreciation with a small donation.
$1
Thanks!
In January, I undertook the task of sending David Codrea's Gun Rights Questionnaire to all the candidates running for New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District seat and for the Senate this year, as well as Governor, State Senate District 9, State House District 4, and Executive Council District 2. If anyone wants to survey candidates in other districts, I'll be pleased to link to your results.
The "responded" vs. "answered" percentage rates shown above are currently being driven higher by candidates outside my districts who are coming forward and volunteering answers without even being surveyed; a good thing. Unfortunately, a mere 9 of my candidates have bothered answering.
Deadline Notice: I gave candidates until end of day 7/31/10 to respond. I will not accept further responses for rating purposes. If a candidate cannot communicate in a timely manner while trying to woo you for your vote, what are the odds that you'll get any attention from them if elected? I will post any responses, then work on rating the answers. Unlike the NRA, I will not give good grades to for lousy answers or performance. Unlike the NRA, no response earns an outright "F", rather than a useless "?".
The letter grade will be based solely on GRQ response (or lack thereof). But being an opinionated curmudgeon, I expect to make additional, separate voting suggestions based on my own political leanings. This is because, despite the implied claim of wannabe-Gov Robertson, I am not a single-issue voter. While a bad 2ndA/Art.2/RKBA position will lose you my vote, a generally good freedom position coupled with a so-so RKBA stance can get my vote over someone OK on RKBA but otherwise terrible for freedom. But this will be my personal take, and will be posted separately from the GRQ-only ratings.
[US House Dist. 2]
[US Senate]
[Governor]
[Exec Council 5]
[State Senate 9]
[State House Hill-4]
[Other Races]
(responses from candidates in other districts)
NH 2nd Congressional District
Democrat
Ann McLane Kuster - Questionnaire sent 1/4/10. My site stats show people looking for her position on "gun" control. Questionnaire sent again 5/15/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
Katrina Swett - Questionnaire sent 1/19/10. Questionnaire sent again 5/15/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
Independent
John Greene - No contact data
Richard Kahn (may actually be Libertarian) - Questionnaire sent 6/26/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
Timothy vanBlommesteyn - Questionnaire sent 6/5/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
Libertarian
Howard Wilson
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Wilson plagiarized another candidate's (Lib Senate hopeful Blevens) answers. On the bright side, he apparently failed to file with the state and won't appear on the ballot.
While the answers aren't bad, the point was to get the candidate's own thoughts. This lack of independent thinking is diappointing in a Libertarian candidate, and helps explain why the party still isn't catching on.
8/2/10: Wilson claims he didn't copy any answers and implies he may not have answered at all. Stay tuned. For now, all I can say is that the email headers on the previous communications with "Wilson" are consistent with that on his emailed denial. And I can't imagine why anyone would contact me to impersonate someone I don't recall even hearing of previously, and certainly didn't know was a "candidate" until that contact.
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Republican
Charles Bass - Questionnaire sent 1/4/10. Questionnaire sent again 5/15/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
Bob Giuda
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Response received 1/17/10.
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.
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Jennifer Horn - Questionnaire sent 1/4/10. Questionnaire sent again 5/15/10. I heard from David Chesley, Jennifer Horn's campaign manager on 5/24/10:
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'My name is David Chesley and I am Jennifer Horn's Campaign Manager. I have
read your below post about a Gun Rights Questionnaire that was intended for
Second Congressional District candidates. To date, our campaign has
received no questionnaire. Jennifer Horn would be happy to fill out and
answer the below questions. What address did use for our campaign?'
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He quoted from this very page, but strangely enough didn't notice the Questions, which he could have copied for his candidate and gotten her answers.
As I explained to him, I'm sending the questionnaire, and just one follow-up if no response is received no follow-ups, under the theory that if I can't get a candidate's attention when she wants my support and vote, I'm certainly not going to receive any attention once my support and vote are no longer needed. The Questionnaire is a test on multiple levels, not merely RKBA.
If the campaign isn't monitoring their own email accounts, that's a bad sign.
As of 7/19/10, no answers. -CB
Joseph Reilly - Questionnaire sent 7/3/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
Wesley Sonner - Questionnaire sent 5/22/10. Answered 5/22/10. -CB
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1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land" and
that the Bill of Rights acknowledges our birthrights?
Unequivocally! And further I would add that activism in our Supreme Court
that seeks to diminish or re-write our Constitution must be steadfastly
impeded.
2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by
all levels of government, including city, county and state?
That there are those who would argue against this causes me a great deal of
concern. Unfortunately I believe they are currently holding the majority
position in our federal government.
3. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider constitutional.
I cannot find a gun law that is, in whole, constitutional. There are
portions of the Gun Control Act of 1968 relating to restrictions on
convicted criminals and the mentally insane for which I confess to have a
soft spot. From that standpoint I am not opposed to instant criminal
background checks.
Added 5/24/10: I wrote to Mr. Sonner about some of my own thoughts on disqualifying 'criminals' and 'mentally insane'. In brief, I said: 1) It doesn't work. 2) It's prior restraint requiring people to prove they aren't criminals. 3) The law only apply to certain sales, not all legal sales. 4) The law is applied unfairly, affecting nonviolent felons while exempting some, though not all, violent misdemeanor offenders; I gave recent examples of just that. 5) I gave a personal example of a man who was beaten to death while unarmed because of a single domestic violence conviction nearly 30 years prior. Mr. Sonner replied:
Wow Carl, this is extremely enlightening and [...] experience
breaks my heart. At the risk of sounding like a flip flop I am going to
give some serious consideration to this "soft spot" of mine. Sometimes it's
tough to see through my California upbringing to the reality of things. I
grew up in San Jose and it has taken a long time for some of my long held
indoctrination to wear off...but I am getting there. It was not too long
ago (relatively speaking) in fact that I even realized that EVERYONE didn't
have 15 day waiting periods and background checks. I'm so glad to be living
in NH now.
4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.
To answer this I refer to an excerpt from the 2nd Amendment of the United
States Constitution, "...the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall
not be infringed." Please note that this statement ends in a period!
Federal Assault Weapons Ban (gone but not forgotten). Brady Handgun Violence
Prevention Act. Gun Control Act of 1968. How many would you like?
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. Absolutely.
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 oppose any rule, law or regulation that requires citizens to let the
government know where, how many and what type of weapons a person owns.
8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms?
Why?
Oppose. Because I do not believe the Constitution allows for government at
any level to know what weapons I have or to control my ability to have them
through licensing. A large part of the purpose behind the 2nd Amendment was
to guarantee my right to protect myself against the government should that
need arise. Government knowing and/or controlling what weapons I have
infringes on that right.
9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?
First and foremost I will actively work to make sure the Federal Assault
Weapons Ban is never renewed.
10. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up
with consistent actions? How?
In or out of politics I will continue to promote efforts that support the
repeal of any infringement, weakening or elimination of our 2nd Amendment.
As an elected official I will steadfastly refuse to confirm any nominee to
the U.S. Supreme Court who has an activist agenda and who desires to promote
an extreme viewpoint by "legislating" from the bench. The focus of this
position is to ensure that gun laws which are challenged on the basis of
their Constitutionality will be fairly adjudicated according to the written
word of the Constitution upon reaching the highest court. You can't just
attack the symptoms, you have to go after the sickness, which in this case
is a Supreme Court riddled with activists bent on changing how our
Constitution is interpreted.
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US Senate
Democrat
Paul Hodes
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Hodes is currently the NH 2nd Dist. Representative. I've never managed to get a straight answer out of him, and he declined to answer the questions this time as well. This is Hodes' response, received 1/12/10:
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.
Either Hodes still fails to understand that direct answers are in order, or he knows full well that his real position would damage him in the election because his views are not representative of most NH voters. I won't vote for him; and I'll write-in someone, if necessary, to vote against him.
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Libertarian
Ken Blevens
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As mentioned above, these are the original answers which were parroted by US House candidate Wilson. At least we know what Blevens thinks. Received his response 1/5/10.
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?
???
(If he didn't understand the question, I wish he'd asked for clarification. But what's not to understand? -CB)
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
(That's pretty much the best answer to that question I've seen anywhere, not just these NH surveys. -CB)
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.
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Republican
Tom Alciere
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Mr. Alciere not only answered the questionnaire quickly, he also publicly posted it on his own website 1/5/10. You can read his answers here. I encourage all candidates to follow his example by likewise publishing the answers on their own campaign websites.
His answers are generally good for a Republican, but he did weasel out of telling us his position on military-pattern weapons.
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Kelly Ayotte - Questionnaire sent 1/4/10. No response as of 4/22/10. And site stats show people making inquiries on Ayotte, too. Questionnaire sent again 5/15/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
Gerard Beloin - Questionnaire sent 6/26/10. "Answered" 6/27/10. -CB
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I believe that the gun laws in NH should should reflect those of the State of Vermont.
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Once again, a politician ignored clear language: "Please take the time to answer these ten straightforward questions. We need specific answers, as opposed to vague generalities, so we can see exactly where you stand." He managed to answer one of ten questions. No vote for Mr. Beloin!
Jim Bender - Questionnaire sent 1/4/10. Questionnaire sent again 5/15/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
Bill Binnie - Questionnaire sent 1/4/10. Questionnaire sent again 5/15/10. No response as of 7/19/10. Mr. Binnie, I have visitors to the site wondering where you stand; why not answer? -CB
Dennis Lamare -Questionnaire sent 5/1/10. Questionnaire sent again 5/15/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
Ovide Lamontagne - Questionnaire sent 1/4/10. Questionnaire sent again 5/15/10.
Received a response on 7/30/10: A 345KB copy-protected PDF file. I requested Mr. Lamontagne's political director to provide the answers in a more suitable format, as I will not post that bloated file on my site. I received no response to that request. Thus, I am linking to a small JPG image of his answers. I also pointed out that the use of a protected print document format for EMAIL(!) will be considered when personally rating (separately from the GRQ rating) candidates. -CB
Governor
Democrat
John Lynch - Questionnaire sent 4/22/10. Questionnaire sent again 5/15/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
Timothy Robertson - Questionnaire sent 5/17/10. 'Answered' 5/17/10.-CB
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"I have always found it difficult to deal with one issue people. I am not
anti-gun; but the NRA says I am. I have owned guns, I was on the rifle club
in High School. I qualified as an expert with the M-1in basic training. I
don't think this or most issues are black and white. Most of your question
could begin an hours discussion. I'd sit with you but many of the answers
like your questions would be open to interpretation."
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I wonder what part of "We need specific answers, as opposed to vague generalities, so we can see exactly where you stand" he didn't understand?
These questions were designed to extract real answers, not vague wimp-outs. Answering them doesn't require hours of discussion.
Actually, Mr. Robertson, I'm not quite a one issue voter. And your voting record shows you share my positions on some other issues; I was really hoping you'd give at least so-so answers, because in that case I could have seen supporting you over some people who only agree about RKBA, and might be otherwise terrible for freedom.
Frank Sullivan - No contact data.
Libertarian
John Babiarz - Mr. Babiarz found this project on his own and requested to participate. I hadn't sent him the GRQ previously because he did not file with the state. He responded 7/11/10. - CB
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?
Most definitely
3. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider
constitutional.
There are none
4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider
unconstitutional.
Requiring permits or license to exercise a right.
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, it is a right, not a privilege
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 term arms when the bill of rights was written meant all weapons.
7. Do you support or oppose registration of weapons? Why?
I oppose all registration. Should the state be invaded by foreign forces, such list would be used to round up gun owners.
8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own
or carry firearms? Why?
I oppose licensing requirements, a right should not be subject to
whims of bureaucrats or politicians.
9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?
Requiring a permit for concealed carry.
10. If elected, will you back your words of support for
firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?
Yes, by signaling to the legistrator that we need to remove laws that impede a right.
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Republican
Frank Emiro - Questionnaire sent 4/22/10. Questionnaire sent again 5/15/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
Jack Kimball - Questionnaire sent 4/22/10. Questionnaire sent again 5/15/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
John Stephen - Questionnaire sent 4/22/10. Questionnaire sent again 5/15/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
11/1/10: I had an interesting little email discussion regarding NH gubernatorial candidate Stephen. My correspondent, who says he knows Stephen quite well personally, thinks I should vote for the man because he is pro-gun and he'll listen to "us" more than would incumbent Lynch.
I pointed out that Stephen lost my vote precisely because he ignored me and the Gun Rights Questionnaire. That doesn't bode well for his "listening" to "us" once he doesn't need our votes. Maybe that's why he's behind in every poll I've seen.
This friend of Stephen's says, "It is unfortunate that his RINO handlers...city Republicans (which have no use for me anyway) ill-advised him to forego such questionairres."
Such a deal. You can vote for a Republican who will supposedly listen to us, even though his own friend says he take his RINO(!) handlers' advice to ignore us. Or you can vote for the Democrat incumbent doesn't listen to us and got us into much of this mess. Of course, there's always the protest vote: Libertarian Babiarz, who actively contacted me and volunteered to answer the GRQ, but has a snowflake's chance because most people insist upon choosing between the Ds and Rs.
Karen Testerman - Questionnaire sent 4/22/10. Questionnaire sent again 5/15/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
Executive Council Dist. 5
Democrat
Debora Pignatelli - Attempted to send via website contact form 6/26/10, but received an error message on every try. Broken form counts the same – unresponsive candidate, likely to be unresponsive officeholder – as bad/no email address, or unmonitored email account. I'll post any response I might get. -CB
Republican
Dave Wheeler - No contact data. He seems to have a website, but it is broken: The home page has a self-referencing LOAD command that cycles endlessly; this actually crashed Firefox, which is a first for me. See above reference to broken forms = unresponsive candidate. -CB
State Senate Dist. 9
Democrat
Bob Jones - No contact data.
Republican
David Danielson - Questionnaire sent 6/26/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
Raymond White - Questionnaire sent 7/3/10. Responded 7/6/10. -CB
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.
Felons not allowed to posess firearms
4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.
Duty to retreat, as in some states. Most big city gun laws. Many domestic violence laws, when applied in a guilty until proven innocent manner.
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
7. Do you support or oppose registration of weapons? Why?
Do not support-can and will be abused by authorities, and second ammendment gives rights to citizens to defend themselves from government.
8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms?
Oppose
Why?
Laws should punish violent offenses, not assume all are guilty just because of peaceably carrying a firearm
9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?
Gun bans in public places and buildings
10. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?
Yes-Putting this position out there publicly-see attached campaign piece.
(The "attached campaign piece[s]" were two PDF files of roughly 1MB which clogged my dial-up connection. One file had a bullet statement that White is "100% Pro-2nd Amendment". Since he is running for a state level office, I find it odd that he didn't mention New Hampshire's even more explicit Article 2. - CB)
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State House Hillsborough-4
Democrat
Jennifer Daler - Questionnaire sent 6/26/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
Andrew French - No contact data.
Republican
William Condra - No contact data.
Frank Holden - Questionnaire sent 6/26/10. Responded of 7/6/10. Mr. Holden's track record is pretty good, and his answers generally reflect that. -CB
1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land" and
that the Bill of Rights acknowledges our birthrights?
Absolutely
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.
prohibition of convicted felons from ownership
4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.
waiting period, registration of firearms
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
7. Do you support or oppose registration of weapons? Why?
I oppose registration because I see it as a step towards confiscation as
has happened in Canada and Australia.
8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms?
Why?
Oppose, do we need a license to exercise our right of free speech?
9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?
Statehouse gun ban, make CCW permit optional
10. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up
with consistent actions? How?
Yes, I will continue to support the right of law abiding citizens to own and
carry firearms without government harrasment. I will support legislation to
compel towns and police chiefs to follow the RSA (state law) for CCW
permits.
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Peter Kucmas - No contact data.
Bob Mead - Questionnaire sent 6/26/10. Answered 7/1/10. Frankly, I expected good answers from Mr. Mead, based on past personal experience, and he didn't let us down. Also for what it's worth to other folks, he also tends to support other issues I like. Consider this an endorsement. -CB
1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land"
and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges our birthrights?
Absolutely, and my legislative voting record of 99% on HRA
Scoresheet (http://www.nhhra.org/) reflect that.
2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement
by all levels of government, including city, county and state?
Yes, these rights are also in the NH Constitution.
3. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider constitutional.
The Alaska, and Vermont carry laws as well as the castle doctrine
which we are still trying to pass ion the NH House.
4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.
Automatic weapons ban, trigger locks, right to carry permits,
caliber weapon sizes.
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 as long as they not being used for unlawful purposes.
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 oppose registration of any kind of weapon. Registration is aimed at
law abiding citizens who are the only ones who would obey such a
law. Law abiding citizens are not the problem with illegal use of
weapons!
8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms? Why?
Oppose, see answer above.
9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?
State house ban, license to carry, and all others that restrict gun
owner rights. My record since being elected to the House in 2005 reflects
100% support for gun owners.
10. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up
with consistent actions? How?
My rating by legitimate Gun groups and the NRA is consistently their
highest since I was elected in 2005.
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William O'Brien - Questionnaire sent 6/26/10. No response as of 7/19/10. -CB
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