Tom Wesley is the Republican nominee for Congress running against Richard Neal in the second district in Massachusetts. I sent him the following question:
Mr. Wesley,
First, I would like to thank you for your service to our country (he is a former Navy pilot).
I am interested in your position on an individual's right to keep and bear
arms, and particularly on concealed carry laws. As you likely know,
Massachusetts is among the most restrictive states in the nation where
firearms laws are concerned, despite recent Supreme Court rulings that
reinforce our fundamental 2nd Amendment rights, and a relaxation of CCW laws
nationwide.
Do you support our current licensing system in Massachusetts, which vests in
local law enforcement officials almost unlimited power to grant or withhold
firearms rights?
Do you support statutory disqualifications for non-violent misdemeanors,
which withhold an individual's 2nd Amendment rights for life?
As my Congressman, what would you do to protect citizens in the 2nd District
from unconstitutional violations against 2nd Amendment rights?
Thank you in advance for your honest and forthright answers.
Here is his response:
Hi, Tim.
Lots of food (sic) questions that I believe can best be answered by telling you that the Gun Owners Action League has rated me 100%.
If we don't support the right to bear arms, how can we defend the other amendments?
Hope this helps.
Sent from my iPhone
To Victory!
Tom Wesley
Of course, he is a far better candidate than Richard Neal, but I think this answer is intentionally vague and non-committal. I don't expect him to beat a drum for CCW while running for office in a state like this, but it is still disapointing. He also mis-spelled "good" and neglected to shut off the auto tag that indicates that the message was sent from his iPhone. Is it just me, or does this reek of political hackary?
I asked Marty Lamb the same question in person and he pulled out a pocket copy of the constitution, turned to the Bill of Rights, pointed and said "KEEP and BEAR arms". That means CCW!" Much better answer, but of course he didn't have to put it in writing.
Mr. Wesley,
First, I would like to thank you for your service to our country (he is a former Navy pilot).
I am interested in your position on an individual's right to keep and bear
arms, and particularly on concealed carry laws. As you likely know,
Massachusetts is among the most restrictive states in the nation where
firearms laws are concerned, despite recent Supreme Court rulings that
reinforce our fundamental 2nd Amendment rights, and a relaxation of CCW laws
nationwide.
Do you support our current licensing system in Massachusetts, which vests in
local law enforcement officials almost unlimited power to grant or withhold
firearms rights?
Do you support statutory disqualifications for non-violent misdemeanors,
which withhold an individual's 2nd Amendment rights for life?
As my Congressman, what would you do to protect citizens in the 2nd District
from unconstitutional violations against 2nd Amendment rights?
Thank you in advance for your honest and forthright answers.
Here is his response:
Hi, Tim.
Lots of food (sic) questions that I believe can best be answered by telling you that the Gun Owners Action League has rated me 100%.
If we don't support the right to bear arms, how can we defend the other amendments?
Hope this helps.
Sent from my iPhone
To Victory!
Tom Wesley
Of course, he is a far better candidate than Richard Neal, but I think this answer is intentionally vague and non-committal. I don't expect him to beat a drum for CCW while running for office in a state like this, but it is still disapointing. He also mis-spelled "good" and neglected to shut off the auto tag that indicates that the message was sent from his iPhone. Is it just me, or does this reek of political hackary?
I asked Marty Lamb the same question in person and he pulled out a pocket copy of the constitution, turned to the Bill of Rights, pointed and said "KEEP and BEAR arms". That means CCW!" Much better answer, but of course he didn't have to put it in writing.