| Eric's Position on Gun Ownership Rights |
As a twenty-four year veteran of the U.S. Navy I have long experience with firearms, ranging from my father's old .22 rifle to the canons on the deck of the USS New Jersey. I took an oath to defend the U.S. Constitution, and that includes the 2nd Amendment.
I believe just as strongly that along with gun rights comes a duty that rests on all gun owners: to handle firearms safely and responsibly. It is absolutely vital that those who choose to own guns use all available means to keep those weapons secure, and handle them safely. Accidental gun violence is a problem that merits the attention of all gun owners and it is the responsibility of each and every one of us who supports gun rights to ensure that weapons are handled in a safe, responsible manner.
I recognize that gun violence is a persistent problem in many U.S. cities, including Rochester, and I believe that we must work together at all levels of society and government to combat this problem. The crucial first step is to enforce current laws. As it stands, a great many crimes go unpunished because of under-funded local police departments, overworked courts, and a distracted federal government that has diverted local law enforcement resources into a misguided war in Iraq. We must hold those who handle guns in an irresponsible manner accountable under the law without exception.
As your Representative in Congress, I will fight to protect the rights of gun owners -- and I will fight just as hard to give law enforcement the tools necessary to protect us from those who would use guns illegally.
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