What Questions Should Second Amendment Supporters Ask Candidates For State Offices?

Second Amendment supporters should be familiar with the federalist structure that was established by the Constitution. In many ways, it has proven to be a very robust bulwark to protect our Second Amendment rights. Yes, the situation may suck in some of them, but the damage has been limited compared to what happened to gun owners in places like England, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

In 2022, Second Amendment supporters have a chance to strengthen the defenses of the Second Amendment. Most states will be electing governors (and other statewide offices), and almost all will elect state legislatures. The stakes are high, and it will be crucial to ask candidates for office the right questions to avoid disappointments like Larry Hogan.

We can start with people running for state legislatures. These are races where grassroots efforts can make a big difference, especially in primary elections.

• Do you believe the Second Amendment protects our right to keep and bear arms?
• Do you believe self-defense is a right?
• Are those who exercise their Second Amendment rights to blame for violent crime?
• Would you work to strengthen pre-emption laws?
• Are you willing to pass a state version of the Freedom Financing Act?
• Will you support constitutional carry?
• Will you work to pass legislation to counter Gavin Newsom’s new attack on our Second Amendment rights?
• Are you willing to pass laws to address Silicon Valley censorship?
• Will you speak out for the rights of Second Amendment supporters to be engaged in the political and legislative process?

Candidates for governor should be asked similar questions to those asked of candidates for the state legislature – with the constitutionally-appropriate change to signing legislation into law (and vetoing anti-Second Amendment legislation). But there are some other things they need to be asked:

• Will you do everything in your power (within legal and constitutional boundaries) to support the appointment/election of judges who will respect the Second Amendment?
• Will you ensure that those you appoint to head organizations like the state police respect the Second Amendment?

Then, there are candidates for attorney general. The anti-First Amendment jihad Letitia James has launched against the NRA should be an object lesson for anyone who doesn’t pay attention to these types of down-ballot races. These offices are a big deal, and the questions should reflect that?

• Will you defend dealers, manufacturers, and even citizens in this state if they are targeted by Gavin Newsom’s new attack on our Second Amendment rights?
• Will you act against banks and financial institutions that attempt to carry out any form of corporate gun control or financial deplatforming?
• Will you act against Silicon Valley censorship?
• Will you support appropriate efforts to strike down anti-Second Amendment laws that are challenged in court?
• What will you do to address prosecutors who refuse to take crime seriously?

State offices are often a launching pad for federal office, whether it is a seat in the House of Representatives or the United States Senate, a cabinet position, a federal judgeship, or even becoming President of the United States. The candidates we pick today for state office could be those we count on to defend our rights in the future at the federal level. Getting the right answers could very well be the difference between success or failure in defeating anti-Second Amendment extremists via the ballot box next November.