MO state senator Scott Rupp ansswers the Gun Rights Questionaire

David Codrea can't do it alone and has asked others to hold accountable our elected officials. This August, MO will hold a republican primary for the seat held by incumbent Scott Rupp. I e-mailed Scott Rupp and his GOP opponent State Representative Cynthia Davis the Gun Rights Questionnaire. So far, only Senator Rupp has responded, this after a second attempt to glean answers from both candidates. Without further preamble, here are the Senator's answers


1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land"
and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges our birthrights?

Yes. It is the foundation of this country and the supreme law of the land.

2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement
by all levels of government, including city, county and state?

Yes. No level of government is exempt from the freedoms granted to citizens in the constitution.

3. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider constitutional.

Conceal and Carry, The Castle Doctrine

4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.

National registries trigger locks, ammunition registries.

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 citizens have a right to own, use and carry firearms and infantry weapons and I have supported that right over my last 7 years in public office.

7. Do you support or oppose registration of weapons? Why?

I support a voluntary registering of weapons for theft recovery and insurance purposes. A mandatory registration of weapons is not needed, has not reduced gun crimes or gun safety accidents. As history has shown, the first way to take away the rights of the people is to confiscate all weapons and ability for individuals to defend themselves.

8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry
firearms?
Why?

I have supported and voted for the Conceal Carry Law in Missouri that is now law. I believe we have the right under the constitution to carry weapons, and this is consistent with the framers beliefs and promotes personal responsibility and self defense.

9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?

I believe the inability to purchase guns out of state and then bring them home to Missouri is something that is a burden on gun owners that is permitted on all other purchased items.

I also feel that we need to disallow the over collection if information on permit applications by local entities. There should be a minimal and uniform application by all counties in Missouri.

10. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights
up with consistent actions? How?

Yes. I have done that with several votes during my years in the Missouri House and Senate. I have actively campaigned and promoted my 2nd Amendment beliefs and I am proud of the rights granted to us by the founding fathers. I will continue to promote our 2nd amendment rights in speeches, legislation and by voting for gun rights issues before me in the Senate as I have done for the past 7 years.

________
Again, thank you for your questions and I hope you have a great week ahead.

Respectfully,

Senator Scott T. Rupp

Thank you Senator for providing answers to these questions. In response to the idea of a voluntary registry, I would say that it would be incomplete and therefore practically useless. It is up to gun owners to keep track of their firearms and should the need to report a theft arise, the pertinent information may be forwarded to the proper authorities, but not required. When I receive Representative Davis' reply, I shall post that as well.