As one of the founding principles of our nation, the right to bear arms must be fully upheld, and I am committed to protecting the rights of responsible gun owners who safely use guns for hunting and protection. And in Oklahoma, we know that guns are tools to be used responsibly.

Our founders knew that true freedom from despotism required ordinary citizens to have the means to defend themselves. Of all the rights found in the U.S. Constitution, only one—the right to bear arms—is included to ensure that all other rights are upheld. Our founders knew that in order for our republic to respect the rights of our citizens, we could never leave them defenseless to despotism. Although our society has evolved, this right to bear arms remains. I am a member of the National Rifle Association because I believe that the Second Amendment should not be violated.

I will continue to support freedom and personal responsibility by seeing that the government protects the Second Amendment. While I share the goal of keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals and preventing mass violence, overly broad executive orders and legislative proposals that limit the rights of law-abiding gun owners are not the answer to gun violence. I believe all efforts to address gun ownership must be deliberative and open to ensure that constitutional rights are preserved for all Americans.