Candidate's Name : Freeman Presson
P.O. Box 550082
Birmingham, AL 35205
dhr@iname.com
Political Party: Libertarian
Office you are running for: Alabama House of Representatives
State: Alabama
County: Jefferson
District: 53
1) Do you believe that the Second Amendment confirms the individual right
of every American citizen to possess and use * (update of keep and bear)
militia/military weapons for individual self-defense, as well as for the
defense of the State / National defense?
YES
* [I agree with the new wording, but it might take a while for "RPUA" to
catch on]
10 Points
2) If elected would you support legislation for the removal of firearm laws
and regulations? If your answer is yes, and if you are elected, what specific
legislation would you propose/support to ensure that this individual right
is protected? Which current laws which infringe upon this individual
right would you seek to repeal?
YES
Alabama's laws are not all that bad, as states go. I would introduce or cosponsor
a bill to change "may issue" to "shall issue" carry permits (with some chance
of passage) AND a "Vermont Carry" bill (with next to none -- but I'll refile
it every session). I would act to repeal almost all limitations on where
a concealed handgun may be carried by an otherwise qualified adult. Alabama
has CCW reciprocity, which is a small step in the right direction, but I'd
extend it to unilateral recognition -- you have a permit anywhere, you have
it here. That would mean that a Vermont driver's license would be a CCW permit.
I would of course oppose any new restrictions or limitations on the RKBA.
10 Points
3) What do you consider are "legitimate" reasons to own a firearm?
Check as many as apply:
[ ] Personal Defense
[ ] Home Defense
[ ] Defense of your country (Unorganized Militia)
[ ] Hunting
[ ] Farm Use
[ ] Competitive Shooting
[ ] Informal Sport Shooting
[ ] Informal Target Practice and/or Plinking
[ ] Collecting
[ ] Constitutional Rights
[ ] Other __________________________________
[X] All of the above
[ ] None of the above
10 Points
4) Would you support the banning of some firearms or ammunition? (IE:
Saturday night specials, "assault weapons", Hollow points, and "Safety Slugs")
Why and to what extent?
No. I am a 2nd amendment absolutist. I don't even agree with the 1934 act
requiring special licenses for full-auto arms, or the Supreme Court's holding
in the 1939 Miller case -- I can see perfectly good tactical applications
for a short-barrelled shotgun, even though I think you have to be extremely
cautious in handling one. But that's the individual's responsibility.
(I would be especially horrified by a ban on hollowpoints -- are they just
trying to kill bystanders as well as make my weapon less effective?)
10 Points
5) Do you believe that firearms and/or firearm owners should be registered?
Which ones and why?
NO
10 Points
6) Do you support equal rights for all citizens of the United States regardless
of the person's sexuality / orientation and / or gender identity/expression?
YES
10 Points
7) Which of the following would you be willing to support in regards to same-gender
and/or polyamorous marriages and/or civil unions?
Check as many as apply:
[ ] Domestic partnerships for same-sex couples
[ ] Domestic partnerships for opposite-sex couples
[ ] Domestic partnerships for polyamorous (more than two
consenting adults)
[ ] Same-sex marriages
[ ] Opposite sex marriages (What we have now)
[ ] Polyamarous marriages (between more than two consenting
adults)
[ ] All of the above. Everyone should have equal rights
under the law.
[ ] None of the above. Government has no role in defining
a marriage. Leave it to the church.
[X] Other:
All of the above. Government has
no role in defining a marriage. Leave it to the individuals involved. Inheritance,
insurance, hospital visitation, living will, etc. can all be specified by
contracts such as antenuptial agreements, at least until courts come around
to the position that persons who have declared themselves married and made
the declaration public are in fact and in law married.
10 Points
8) Do you support the right for people to act as they wish in a private setting,
with other consenting adults?
YES
10 Points
9) In July 2000 the Police Dept. of Attleboro Massachusetts entered a private
party without a search warrant. The party was not open to the public or in
the business to make a profit. Any donations given were used to pay rent.
When the police entered, they arrested two people. The first person
who was arrested organized the event. The second person arrested was arrested
because she spanked her consenting adult partner with a wooden spoon. Do
you support the actions of the Attleboro police as given in this example?
Why?
NO. I read about this case when it happened. They shredded the 4th and 9th
Amendments. The city of Attleboro should be held liable for trespass and
false arrest, and the individual officers disciplined accordingly. An officer
who is unclear on the difference between consensual BDSM and assault needs
to be educated or find a different line of work.
10 Points
10) Do you support equal immigration rights for partners of US residents,
regardless of their sexuality / orientation and / or gender identity/expression?
YES
10 Points
Do you have an additional statement to make that is not covered by this questionnaire?
Use as much space as you wish.
I put the right to keep and bear arms first. Every time, no exceptions, no
excuses. I will work to enforce the entire Bill of Rights.
In Alabama, the Democrat-controlled legislature is trying to re-write the
state constitution, and in doing so, they are proposing bills that destroy
that document's basic guarantees of rights. That is one of the main reasons
I am running.
In the 2002 regular session, the Alabama House originated thirty bills that
were repugnant to the Constitution and the rights of the people, and passed
four of them. There were three or four bills introduced that were protective
of liberty, and these all died. What a rotten record.
This must end. We must elect citizen legislators who are not for sale, and
who are willing to go to Montgomery and speak for the people's rights.
I want to live in a Republic that is colorblind, genderblind, sexual-orientation-blind,
with a fair and objective court system that is accessible to all, and that
makes it its main business to defend all citizens in their enjoyment of life,
liberty, and property. Please join me there.