It is with a very sad and heavy heart that I share with you today. Shootings, stabbings, violence, and threats of violence have become an almost daily occurrence. As expected, the public conversation has turned to gun control legislation. We know that strict gun control does not work. We can see this by looking at foreign countries or even at liberal cities in our own great country.

Chicago is perhaps one of the best examples. In Chicago, one must be at least age 21 to own a gun, must have a license, must pass a background check, and must undergo a waiting period. Chicago also has implemented “red flag” gun confiscation orders. A judge may order the confiscation of guns from those who are a “perceived” threat to themselves or others, and all gun owners must submit to fingerprinting to be maintained in a gun database.

Could there be more? Could there be tighter controls except to outlaw the possession of a firearm completely? In spite of all of these onerous regulations, Chicago has experienced over 1500 shootings in the first 7 months of this year.

My friends, we do not have a gun problem, we have a people problem. We are living in a society that has lost respect for life and for each other. We see children that spend hours in front of electronics, not developing interpersonal social skills. They are indoctrinated to believe that humans are a blight on the earth, that we are killing this beautiful planet that we inhabit.

We live in a country where disturbing the egg of certain birds is now a felony, yet killing a pre-born child is not. This is wrong. Children are being taught that they cannot even trust the physical characteristics of their own bodies. They cannot trust what they see and feel. They cannot trust that they were created by a higher power that loves them, and that they were built perfectly as they are.

The basic family unit is likewise under attack. Bureaucratic agencies now believe they know better than parents do how to raise our own children. State Health and Welfare programs teach our children about sexual conduct often well beyond the parameters with which most parents would be comfortable. United Nations programs come into our schools and preach the doctrine of global government. Our pride as a country is being stripped away. We are made to feel guilty about the color of our skin or the country from which our ancestors came.

We all bleed red—that was one of my dad’s sayings. We all breathe; we all are on this beautiful world for a limited time. I respect all people. I believe that it is up to us to govern ourselves within the guidelines of natural law and the guidelines of our Constitution.

I respect all religions, colors, and choices of lifestyle. I will always protect the constitutional rights of all individuals; I will not, however, protect special interests or special carve-outs.

I will always stand for your right to due process. In our electronic world, a warrant may be obtained in minutes, not days or hours. I will always work to stop red flag laws or any laws that would violate our rights recognized by the Second Amendment or any other rights recognized by the Constitution.

In the coming months, we will be holding Cookies with Christy in cities throughout our district. Please join us and share your thoughts. Though it is said often, I am very humbled by your support. I feel the weight of the responsibility of being your voice. It is always my priority to hear what you have to say.

During the 2018 session, a trespass law for private property was passed. Passage of this bill triggered a lot of discussion – and some of it was negative. I have listened to the views of many and here address the major concerns.

The most addressed concern was about the felony part of the bill. It is important to understand that under the new statute, first-time convictions have a minimum $300 fine, $1,500 for a second conviction and $5,000 for a third conviction. After a third conviction could face a felony charge if there is more than $1,000 worth of damage involved with the trespass.

This felony provision is consistent with the current law as it applies to malicious damage to property.

There are already strong penalties for someone who knowingly and willfully trespasses on someone else’s property three times and causes more than $1,000. Someone will be convicted under this law if they knowingly and willfully trespass on someone else’s land.

The second issue was about the change in marking of property. The new statute requires posting unfenced, uncultivated land at property corners and where the property line intersects navigable streams, roads, gates, and rights-of-way. The property must also be posted so that a reasonable person would know they are entering private land. This posting requirement is a higher standard than under current law. Unless one is going to cut a fence to enter another property, going through a gate on a road, one will know when they are on private property.

The clarity that this legislation brings to the trespass issue will improve relations between property owners and hunters, fishers and other outdoorsmen by simplifying and consolidating dispersed trespassing codes, they are more easily found and understood by both parties.

Listening to the testimony of our citizens who had had more damage done to their possessions than many homes are worth, equipment that provides their living, feeds our nation, and is paid for with the sweat of their labor, I believe every citizen deserves to have their property rights protected, no matter the value.

The number of those who do damage is small compared to those who enjoy the vast acreage of public and private land to hunt and to recreate. This new law will give law enforcement and our judiciary the ability to provide a deterrent to those who willfully destroy property, greatly improving the relationships between landowners and outdoorsmen of all types.

As the 2018 primary draws closer, I thought it appropriate to point out some key highlights from my past 2 years of elected service to our district. As I’ve mentioned before, I am a person of the people. I have worked my entire adult life in the open market place, owning and operating a farm, and being a small business owner. I understand the challenges of operating your own business, working to provide jobs, and contributing to the community. Since being elected to represent you in Boise in 2016, I have

• Introduced Stand Your Ground legislation
• Voted against HB 67, trying to END the grocery tax
• Cosponsored a bill EXPANDING constitutional carry
• Voted FOR Firearms safety training in schools
• Accumulated a voting record that has received endorsements from:
  • Food Producers of Idaho (Idaho Ag Allstar)
  • Idaho Chooses Life
  • Gun Owners of America
  • Congressional Candidate Russ Fulcher, and Idaho Farm Bureau, Dick Heller of the landmark DC v Heller decision

In addition, I received a 93% Freedom Index Score from the Idaho Freedom Foundation and 100% Pro-Gun rating from the Idaho 2nd Amendment Alliance.

My actions have shown consistent with the commitment I made in 2016 – to let your voice be heard and to stand for conservative values in our legislature. I hope you will allow me that honor again.

I have been asked what makes me different from my opponent. I am a person of the people. I have worked my entire adult life in the open market place, owning and operating a farm, and being a small business owner. I understand the challenges of operating your own business, working to provide jobs, and contributing to the community.

I believe in the free market system, my opponent voted for the government-run health care exchange. I oppose tax increases, my opponent voted for the 28% fuel tax increase.

I believe in the right of the people to keep and bear arms, my opponent was one of only three republicans that voted against HB 1389. This bill protects the liberty of Idaho citizens.