2nd Amendment, Privacy, and Constitutional Rights

I have always been a staunch defender of the 2nd Amendment and I stand against efforts to erode any American’s constitutional right to bear arms. I will continue to support legislation that advances 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.

All of our children deserve to learn in a safe environment-- absent of the threat of gun violence. I support the efforts of President Trump’s STOP School Violence Act, which directly addresses the issues of school gun violence by including access to grants for additional security in Idaho schools and funding for mental health programs. I support efforts that will protect Idaho’s most vulnerable, and believe we can accomplish this goal without impeding on the rights of Idahoans to protect themselves.

Along with protecting the 2nd Amendment, I defend the fundamental right to privacy that every American enjoys. As our world continues to transition essential services and everyday tasks online, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, this right to privacy does not change. I believe it is possible to keep our country safe, without infringing on the privacy of innocent Americans. Any government surveillance of Americans must be conducted with proper authority and oversight. This oversight role is reserved for Congress, and not a part of my public service that I take lightly.

Our government’s ability to collect data from American citizens is wide-ranging and extends  into the everyday lives of American citizens. These powers require constant vetting and oversight. In Congress, I joined bipartisan efforts to oppose mass collection of citizen’s data without warrants, and voted to reform the FISA process.

While it is entirely appropriate for the federal government to surveil credible national security threats, recent efforts by some in Congress seek to expand the data collection powers of agencies like the Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services for partisan means. These efforts include requiring DOE to collect information from families on “gun storage practices,” then tying this data to federal funds. I oppose these efforts, and will keep your privacy rights, as well as your constitutional gun rights, at the forefront of any legislative discussion.