Issue Position: Protecting The Second Amendment And The Rule Of Law

Issue Position

The Second Amendment to the Constitution guarantees the right of the people to keep and bear arms. For more than two hundred years, New Jerseyans have exercised this right to defend their families, protect their property, and participate in outdoor activities such as hunting. We need leaders in Washington who will preserve the Second Amendment and oppose legislation that's intended to undermine or weaken it.

As a former law enforcement official, I also know the danger that firearms present, especially when they end up in the hands of criminals. We need sensible gun control policies that are focused on keeping guns away from violent offenders, increasing penalties for the illegal possession of firearms, and issuing tougher sentences for crimes involving these deadly weapons.

Restricting the availability of firearms to law-abiding citizens is a self-defeating endeavor that won't keep these weapons out of the hands of criminals. Excessive gun controls only restrict the rights of our citizens and undermine their ability to defend themselves and their families.

The Agosta Plan

As your Congressman, I will vigorously defend your Second Amendment rights while doing everything in my power to keep guns away from criminals by:

Protecting The Right Of Law-Abiding Citizens To Keep And Bear Arms. Law-abiding residents should be allowed to purchase and own firearms in order to defend their families and participate in activities like hunting. Restricting the rights of average citizens to own firearms won't reduce crime.

Making It Harder For Criminals To Obtain Weapons. We should use background checks and other sensible measures to prevent criminals from purchasing guns and other weapons.

Increasing Penalties For Crimes Involving Guns. Imposing tougher sentences on individuals who commit crimes using guns keeps these dangerous criminals off of our streets, and reduces crime by increasing the deterrence factor.

Cracking Down On The Illegal Possession Of Firearms. In order to preserve the right of law-abiding citizens to possess firearms, we need to increase penalties for criminals who break the law and illegally obtain guns and other weapons.

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