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Joni Ernst on Gun Control

 

 


Purpose of Second Amendment is protection against tyranny

[Former Congressman and radio talk-show host] Joe Walsh took to Twitter [prior to the 2016 election] to announce his post-election day plans. "On November 9th," he wrote, "if Trump loses, I'm grabbing my musket. You in?"

It may be tempting to write off Walsh's latest proclamation. But this sentiment--that a Donald Trump loss might justify the violent overthrow of a Hillary Clinton administration--is a longtime GOP talking point. The NRA has longed peddled the "insurrectionist" theory of the Second Amendment, arguing that the right to bear arms was intended to protect citizens against a tyrannical ruler.

Although this insurrectionist theory is foreign to the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Second Amendment, it has gained a foothold in the Republican Party. In 2014, Iowa Republican (and current senator) Joni Ernst proclaimed that she had a right to defend herself and her family "from the government, should they decide that my rights are no longer important."

Source: Slate.com, "Grabbing My Musket," on 2020 Iowa Senate race , Oct 26, 2016

Opposes more gun restrictions

Question topic: More restrictive gun control laws are needed now to protect public safety.

Ernst: Strongly Disagree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Iowa Senate race , Sep 30, 2014

Staunch defender of the Second Amendment

Protecting Second Amendment Rights: Joni is a staunch defender of the Second Amendment and opposes efforts by the government to infringe upon this fundamental right. She is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, and received an "A" rating from the NRA for her efforts to protect the rights of gun owners as a member of the state senate. Joni holds a concealed carry permit, carries a Smith and Wesson 9mm, and is Army qualified on the 9mm and M16.
Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, JoniForIowa.com, "Issues" , Sep 9, 2013

Reciprocity across state lines for concealed carry.

Ernst signed Press release on bill S.446 sponsored by 40 Senators

Press release in support: Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) cosponsored legislation to allow law-abiding citizens with concealed carry privileges to take firearms across state lines. Hyde-Smith has added her support to the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (S.446), which would allow qualified individuals to carry a concealed handgun into another state in accordance with that state's laws. Concealed carry permits are not transferrable between states under current law.

"For law-abiding gun owners with concealed carry permits, this legislation would affirm their ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights in other states with right-to-carry laws," Hyde-Smith said. "This is sensible legislation that recognizes states' authority to issue firearms licenses and permits, while supporting the rights of gun owners."

Boston Globe Op-Ed (12/14/17) in opposition, by Mayor Marty Walsh: We're grateful for the common-sense laws that help us do our jobs. We will fight any national policy that threatens to send us backward. That includes a bill called the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. It would force each state to recognize the concealed-carry standards of every other state, even those with dramatically weaker standards for who can get their hands on a gun. Given that the gun lobby has blocked the creation of a national database, it would be extremely difficult for local police to determine whether those out-of-state permits were even legitimate. Law enforcement all over the country strongly opposes this legislation.

If the US Senate passes Concealed Carry Reciprocity, people from other states who have criminal histories, who would never pass a background check in Massachusetts, would be able to carry a loaded, concealed gun into our neighborhoods. We know this is a bad idea. Our police officers, our neighbors, and the responsible gun owners of Boston agree.

Source: Press release on bill S.446 sponsored by 40 Senators 18LTR-CCCR on Apr 26, 2018

Limit gun rights, according to CC survey.

Ernst opposes the Christian Coalition survey question on gun rights

The Christian Coalition inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Further Restrictions on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms ?' Self-description by Christian Coalition of America: "These guides help give voters a clear understanding of where candidates stand on important pro-family issues" for all Senate and Presidential candidates.

Source: CC Survey 20CC-10 on Sep 10, 2020

Other candidates on Gun Control: Joni Ernst on other issues:
IA Gubernatorial:
Andy McGuire
Cathy Glasson
Chet Culver
Deidre DeJear
Fred Hubbell
Jack Hatch
Jake Porter
Kim Reynolds
Marco Battaglia
Nate Boulton
Ras Smith
Rich Leopold
Tom Hoefling
Tom Vilsack
IA Senatorial:
Chet Culver
Chuck Grassley
Eddie Mauro
Kimberly Graham
Patty Judge
Rob Hogg
Tom Fiegen

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Page last updated: Dec 26, 2021