“Arms in the hands of the citizen may be used at individual discretion for the defense of the country, for private self-defense, or for the overthrow of tyranny.” 

– President John Adams

Libertarians strongly defend the 2nd Amendment and support the right to keep and bear arms for self-defense. The right to own a gun is an American tradition. We would never have won our independence from Great Britain had our colonists not been armed and able to fight the King’s army. Guns by themselves are not dangerous. If someone uses a gun to commit a crime, he should be punished. But disarming law-abiding citizens does nothing to reduce crime.

Those who support gun control should recognize that the cities with the strictest gun control laws (like Chicago and Washington, D. C.) also have the highest murder rates involving guns. Criminals will always be able to get guns. Peaceful citizens need to protect themselves. I will work to repeal existing gun control laws, and will oppose any attempts to limit the gun ownership of law-abiding Americans.  I am also opposed to “red flag” laws that try to anticipate if someone will commit a crime. Such laws are open to abuse and violation of due process.