State Rep. Wayne Burton (D-Durham) - "common sense and create a state law" - Granite Grok

State Rep. Wayne Burton (D-Durham) – “common sense and create a state law”

[Art.] 2-a. [The Bearing of Arms.] All persons have the right to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves, their families, their property and the state.

paguncontrolIt is neither common or sensical and serves to implement one and only one purpose – to continue the This is one of the safest States in the nation – especially when it comes to guns.  Yet, to advance his civilian disarmament ideology, once again we see a NH Democrat willing to make pawns of our children.  It is their way – willing to go whole hog if possible but willing to use whatever to advance their agenda on small incremental steps as well (emphasis mine, reformatted):

Durham lawmaker wants to ban guns at school polling sites

DURHAM — A Durham lawmaker wants to propose a bill that would ban firearms from election polling sites at schools, even though New Hampshire is an open-carry state. State Rep. Wayne Burton, D-Durham, said it is time to use common sense and create a state law that places restrictions on guns at school polling places. More than 100 schools in New Hampshire are used on Election Day.

And I am quite sure that the Dems will use this as a bludgeon – “look at those Rs, not willing to protect our children – the most vulnerable amongst us” (to be used for politics).  Emotional only is their appeal along with a ton of “maybe”, “could happen”, and “what ifs” – and not a look backwards at history.  I’ve been here in NH for 30 years and I can’t remember ANYone getting shot at a school during polling. But we will hear something akin to “You want Sandy Hook here?” taunts.

Right now, the law is:

 

But the Attorney General’s Office, seeking to give guidance to moderators, said there are no New Hampshire election laws that prohibit a voter from carrying a firearm into a polling place at a school. “The moderators should not be preventing someone from voting simply because they have a gun on their hip in a holster,” Assistant Attorney General Brian Buonamano said Monday.  The AG’s Office said the state has no authority to enforce the federal Gun Free School Zones Act, which states that guns are not allowed within 1,000 feet of public, parochial or private schools unless certain circumstances apply.

“If the individual possessing the firearm is licensed by the state to possess the firearm and law enforcement authorities have verified that the person is qualified to receive the license, then that individual can carry a firearm onto school property,” the AG’s Office said in a recent statement.

But of course, Buttinsky Burton doesn’t care about your Constitutional Right, under both Constitutions, to protect yourself.  He has given an oath to protect the Constitution, when he served in Viet Nam (to which I say thank you) and as he has served in a number of public offices.  I know that, since the oath is in the Constitution, that there is no line similar to:

I promise to Protect and Defend the Constitution – except when it violates my sense of common sense

Burton, a member of the Committee on Election Law, said it is up to the legislature to deal with this issue. He knows Second Amendment advocates may not see his point of view right away.

No, we won’t see it “right away” or ever.  Words mean things, Representative Burton, and your words and your agenda and your “common sense” do not trump the the Constitution.  Or does it?  I figure his defense will be “reasonable regulations” – so what is NOT reasonable regulation?

But see, here is his defense – using the children as a shield and nary a word about the Constitution and the Rights of citizens:

“Here is a situation where protecting kids is going too far, or not far enough, depending on how you look at it. It’s all in the eyes of the beholder,” Burton said.

So, sideswipe the argument to emotional basis from the Rights one.  Does he consider that oath long and ponder upon it?  Does he think that “security” trumps those Rights?  Or does he think that we should disarm because of his tremendous faith in The State?  Is he sufficiently Hobbesian to believe that we should be relieving ourselves of our Rights and give them to The State?

As always, I ask – what is that Step Too Far?

…Burton said that many of the University of New Hampshire’s 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students use the local high school to cast their votes. He said he is concerned for their safety, as well as the safety of residents.

But what about those of us that can carry on school campuses that are concerned about our safety – and do not wish to outsource that self-responsibility to The State?

I expect that his answer is that the police that would be on-duty should be sufficient to protect us all.  Why is he scared of us law abiding citizens who have had an in-depth background check?

Oh, I get it – he trusts the State but doesn’t trust his law abiding family, friends, and neighbors.  Like any good Progressive.

(H/T: Union Leader)

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