Walt Maddox calls out NRA questionnaire, defends Constitutional rights

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NRA response

Recently the National Rifle Association (NRA) queried Democratic candidate for Governor, Walt Maddox asking him about his stance on legislative issues pertaining to the 2nd Amendment.

While most candidate fill out endless questionnaires without hesitation, Maddox took the opportunity to call out the NRA for their line of questioning, noting it appears to be a “quid pro quo agreement” that should he support NRA-backed legislation they would support his campaign.

“I find it uncomfortable that your survey and this process somehow implies that if I make a commitment on legislation that I would get your support. That strikes me as being the kind of quid pro quo agreement that has landed too many state leaders either in jail or out of office in recent years,” Maddox wrote the NRA. “If you walked into my office and told me you would provide endorsements, financial backing and votes in return for my commitment on legislation I believe we would rapidly be approaching grounds for an indictable offense.”

Instead, Maddox said he will uphold a high ethnical standard and will not “make a commitment on any specific legislation.”

He went on to clarify his support for 2nd Amendment and constitutional rights.

“But let me make my position clear. I will never favor taking any existing constitutional right away from any American unless we, as a people, come to the conclusion that restraint of some rights helps ensure the pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness by all,” Maddox added.

Maddox will face former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb, along with Christopher CountrymanJames FieldsDoug Smith and Anthony White in the June 5 Democratic primary.

The winner will go on to face the Republican nominee in the general election, to be selected among: Gov. Kay IveyTommy Battle, Bill Hightower, Scott Dawson, or Michael McAllister.

Read Maddox’s full response to the NRA below:

Thank you for asking for my responses to your questionnaire. I realize that your efforts are designed to support values which you sincerely hold dearly. I also cherish the constitutional rights guaranteed to all citizens through the Second Amendment. So it is with tremendous self-examination and thought that I am writing this letter to respond to your survey.

First, there are a number of questions on your survey that ask for my commitment on very specific legislation that is either pending or may be proposed. I find it uncomfortable that your survey and this process somehow implies that if I make a commitment on legislation that I would get your support. That strikes me as being the kind of quid pro quo agreement that has landed too many state leaders either in jail or out of office in recent years. If you walked into my office and told me you would provide endorsements, financial backing and votes in return for my commitment on legislation I believe we would rapidly be approaching grounds for an indictable offense.

Because I uphold the highest ethical standard, I will not entertain or make a commitment on any specific legislation.

But let me make my position clear. I will never favor taking any existing constitutional right away from any American unless we, as a people, come to the conclusion that restraint of some rights helps ensure the pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness by all.

The first amendment to our Constitution guarantees free speech. But we, as a people, have long recognized that speech can be a powerful weapon and as such must be restrained in ways to protect the rights of others. The right to bear arms is central to the creation and preservation of our republic but it clearly is no more central that our right to free speech.

So, I stand with those who would protect the liberties provided through our second amendment. As Governor, I will fight to ensure the preservation of all rights guaranteed by our Constitution.