The Second Amendment is an individual constitutional right and a vital part of our nation’s foundation. I affirm and respect the long tradition of lawful gun ownership in Arkansas, including for hunting, sport, self-defense, and the protection of home and family. This right serves as a safeguard of individual liberty and a check against government overreach, and it must be defended with seriousness and respect.

 

I will oppose any effort to erode the right to keep and bear arms or to unfairly target lawful gun owners. This includes rejecting policies that infringe on constitutional rights, impose undue burdens on responsible citizens, or punish lawful ownership rather than addressing criminal behavior. Any approach to public safety must respect due process and ensure that no Arkansan is deprived of their constitutional rights without clear evidence, fair procedures, and legal protections.

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Protecting constitutional rights and promoting public safety are not competing goals. Responsible gun ownership strengthens public safety when it is grounded in accountability, education, and respect for the law.

 

Gun violence is a violence problem, not a gun ownership problem. Treating responsible gun owners as the issue weakens trust and distracts from the real work of prevention. Public safety is best advanced by focusing on criminal misuse, repeat violent offenders, and the conditions that lead to violence—while respecting the rights of Arkansans who lawfully and responsibly own firearms.

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Effective public safety policy must be rooted in due process and fairness. Interventions should be narrowly tailored, evidence-based, and applied only where there is a clear risk, ensuring that responsible citizens are not treated as suspects simply for exercising a constitutional right. Upholding the law means enforcing it evenly and justly, with attention directed toward criminal misuse and repeat violent offenders.

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​Public safety is strongest when it is shaped locally and informed by the communities it serves. I support community-driven approaches that bring together responsible gun owners, educators, civic organizations, and law enforcement to promote safety and accountability. This includes voluntary firearm training, safe-storage education, and prevention programs designed to meet the specific needs of Arkansas communities.

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I also support law enforcement professionals who serve with integrity and respect for constitutional limits. Public safety begins with the full and consistent enforcement of the laws already on the books, particularly those addressing violent crime, illegal firearm possession, and trafficking. Officers should have the training, resources, and coordination necessary to enforce existing law, combat illegal gun trafficking, and address criminal misuse of firearms. These efforts must be focused on unlawful activity and carried out in a manner that protects civil liberties, respects due process, and maintains public trust.

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Preventing violence before it occurs requires investment beyond enforcement alone. I support expanding access to mental health services, crisis intervention, conflict-resolution programs, and community-based prevention efforts that address risk factors early and responsibly. These approaches strengthen families, reduce violence, and help individuals before harm occurs.

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By prioritizing responsibility, due process, and community partnership, Arkansas can uphold its constitutional freedoms while promoting the safety and well-being of its people. Defending the Second Amendment and protecting public safety are not mutually exclusive—they are mutually reinforcing when governed with seriousness, restraint, and respect for the rule of law.

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