Candidate's Name :  Doug Schafer

Political Party:  Nonpartisan

Office you are running for:  Washington State Supreme Court, Position 4

State:  Washington

County:  [statewide]

District:

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 / Nationaldefense

I have not had occasion to consider the opposing arguments.  I have always assumed that we each have a constitutional right to own guns, both handguns and rifles, but I have never had occasion to research the issue.  I will keep an open mind and consider the arguments of all sides of the issue.  But most likely, the issue will be determined by federal courts and by federal legislation.

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 wouldyou seek to repeal?

Judges are barred from supporting or opposing legislation, except for laws relating to the administration of the justice system

3) What do you consider are "legitimate" reasons to own a firearm?
Check as many as apply:
    [x] Personal Defense
    [x] Home Defense
    [x] Defense of your country (Unorganized Militia)
    [x] Hunting
    [x] Farm Use
    [x] Competitive Shooting
    [x] Informal Sport Shooting
    [x] Informal Target Practice and/or Plinking
    [x] Collecting
    [x] Constitutional Rights
    [x] Other __suicide preparedness (if terminally ill)
    [ ] All of the above
    [ ] None of the above

4) Would you support the banning of some firearms or ammunition? (IE: Saturday night specials, "assault weapons", Hollow points, and "Safety Slugs") Why andto what extent?

Judicial candidates cannot support or oppose legislation on such issues.  My off-the-top-of-my-head views are that machine guns, sawed-off shotguns, and assault rifles may be banned (as I think they are). I don't have any strong feelings one way or the other.

5) Do you believe that firearms and/or firearm ownersshould be registered? Which ones and why?

My quick answer, without benefit of research or of opposing arguments, is that it seems wise, as a reasonable measure to investigate crime.  Just like vehicle ID numbers and license plates and owner registrations facilitate investitating accidents and crime, registrations of guns and their owners would serve the same purpose.

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

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:
    [x] Domestic partnerships for same-sex couples
    [x] Domestic partnerships for opposite-sex couples
    [ ] Domestic partnerships for polyamorous (more than two consenting adults) 
         What does "support" mean? May they jointly own a home--sure. May they claim entitlement to treatment as a traditional family--not likely.
    [x] Same-sex marriages
    [x] 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.
    [ ] Other__I am comfortable treating committed homosexual couples like married heterosexual ones. I'm not comfortable going beyond that -- treating polyamourous groups as families.

8) Do you support the right for people to act as they wish in a private setting, with other consenting adults? 

Yes.

9) In July 2000 the Police Dept. of Attleboro Massachusetts entered a private party without a searchwarrant. 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 givenin this example? Why?

Not based solely on the facts reported.  There must be more to the story. You assert that the first person was arrested for no reason.  In Washington state, police are required to arrest at least one whenever domestic violence is encountered.

10) Do you support equal immigration rights for partners of US residents, regardless of their sexuality / orientation and / or gender identity/_expression?

Sexuality and gender identity should not be factors in immigration decisions.

Do you have an additional statement to make that is not covered by this questionnaire?  Use as much space as you wish. Please see my election campaign website: http://www.doug4justice.org .  And see my 2nd cousin's website:  http://www.highmountainranch.com/