Your Rep. Joe Bustos Stabbed Gun Owners in the Back!
“The right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
As ardent supporters of the Second Amendment, you and I know that these rights are absolutely critical to a free society.
With the primary season heating up here in South Carolina, virtually all politicians are claiming they support the Second Amendment.
Yet once safely elected into office, many politicians in BOTH parties vote to restrict your freedoms in a “common sense” way.
Just look at Florida, where 67 NRA “A-rated” Republicans voted for a massive gun control package in 2018.
In South Carolina, establishment Republican legislators in Columbia continue to stonewall Constitutional Carry despite the overwhelming popularity of this vital pro-gun legislation.
That’s why it’s so crucial for South Carolinians to know where their politicians stand on the Second Amendment BEFORE they get into office!
To find out where your candidates stand, I sent them the official Palmetto Gun Rights Candidate Survey –- to get them on the record in support of your right to keep and bear arms.
And I’ve got bad news and good news for you in State House District 112.
The bad news is incumbent State Rep. Joe Bustos has an abysmal record of standing up for your gun rights in the South Carolina State House.
In 2020, when Bustos was asking for your vote, he pledged to support important pro-gun Constitutional Carry legislation[1].
Sadly, Bustos’ voting record reflects what we see all too often in politics; candidates promising to champion the Second Amendment but end up turning their backs on gun owners once elected.
After voters put their trust in Joe Bustos, he immediately stabbed them in the back by voting to KILL Constitutional Carry every single time it came up for a vote(THREE TIMES)[2].
When electing a new candidate to office (as Bustos was in 2020) in many cases, all that candidate has is his word.
By looking at all the other issues Joe Bustos went on the record for in his 2020 Palmetto Gun Rights Candidate Survey, it’s safe to say he cannot be trusted to uphold any other promises he made then either.
By turning his back on gun owners, Joe Bustos cannot be trusted to fight against California-style gun bans, which would arbitrarily ban hundreds of types of firearms based solely on cosmetic features.
Bustos also cannot be trusted to support your right to legally “Stand Your Ground” and defend yourself and your family against armed thugs in the street.
We’ve seen it time and again. When candidates run for office, they shout from the hilltops their love for the Second Amendment but often crumple like cheap suits when the time comes to make good on their claims.
It appears Joe Bustos did just that by violating his promise and voting to KILL Constitutional Carry THREE times.
But there is good news in House District 112. Candidates Jackie LaPan Edgerton and Ross Ward answered their Palmetto Gun Rights Candidate Survey 100% pro-gun!
By returning their surveys, Jackie LaPan Edgerton and Ross Ward pledged their support for solid pro-gun Constitutional Carry legislation.
Constitutional Carry is the simple concept that would allow law-abiding citizens to carry a handgun for self-defense -– without paying a tax and begging the government for permission.
With Constitutional Carry, if you are legally able to possess a handgun, you are legally able to carry it, openly or concealed.
Twenty-five other states already have Constitutional Carry, with NINE of those states passing it since South Carolina went into session just last year!
Edgerton and Ward also pledged to support legislation repealing dangerous “Gun-Free” zones, better known as “Criminal-Safe” zones.
As every gun owner knows, these dangerous laws only disarm law-abiding citizens while letting criminals know that their victims will be disarmed in these areas.
Finally, Edgerton and Ward pledged to oppose dangerous “Red Flag” Gun Confiscation laws, which allow government agents to seize legally owned firearms without a hearing or even a crime being committed!
PGR is dedicated to keeping you informed about the true positions of your elected officials and candidates.
With members and supporters across South Carolina, we are giving people across the Palmetto State a loud voice in defense of our gun rights.
And trust me, the politicians can hear you.
There is no better time to lobby them than when they are seeking your support at election time.
So contact Joe Bustos at (803) 212-6880 and insist he reverse course and start standing up for the Second Amendment.
Don’t forget to contact Jackie LaPan Edgerton at (202) 277-9170 and Ross Ward at (770) 539-3621 and thank them for answering their surveys pro-gun and for taking a stand for our Second Amendment rights. Urge them to continue.
And once you’ve contacted your candidates, please consider donating $100 to Palmetto Gun Rights right away to help us expose even more anti-gun politicians in South Carolina.
Reaching enough people to hold anti-gun politicians accountable is an expensive task, but I’m sure you’ll agree it’s worth it.
So please consider giving at least $75 or $50 right away!
I understand for some that may still be too much to ask, but even $50 or $25 would go a long way in helping us in the fight for your Second Amendment rights.
Whatever you can afford, please know that I am grateful for your commitment to preserving our liberties for future generations.
Remember, politicians of all stripes are listening closely to gun owners with the primary election just around the corner.
For Freedom,
Denise Snelling
Chairman
Palmetto Gun Rights
[1] 2020 Palmetto Gun Rights Candidate Survey Q. 1
[2] Motion to table Amendment 4 H. 3094 March, 2021, H. 3096 April, 2021. Motion to table Amendment 4 H. 3094, May, 2021