PUBLIC SAFETY

&

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

As Americans, we should expect and demand to live in a country where we are safe and secure in our communities. As a former local, state and federal law enforcement officer for nearly 30 years, Todd was on the front lines of protecting our homeland and citizens against criminals and enemies both foreign and domestic. The brave men and women first responders – law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel – serve and protect our communities and our country 24-7, 365 and Todd will always support them in the dangerous and challenging responsibilities they have in these critically important positions in our society.

Tragically, the society in which we live and the harm that innocent civilian lives, police officers and first responders often find themselves is rooted in the gun violence epidemic that our country is mired. This gun violence is indiscriminate and weakens the security of our homeland. We can strengthen our security by implementing common sense firearms safety regulations.

As Americans, we must embrace sensible firearms safety regulations in order to save lives while also not infringing upon a law-abiding citizen’s Second Amendment rights. Although recent polling reflects that an overwhelming majority of Americans support sensible firearms safety legislation – universal background checks, Extreme Risk Protection Orders (“red flag laws”), waiting periods, and restricting the sale of military assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines – this debate and implementation of these common sense firearms safety regulations remains contentious and seemingly elusive. We are at a time in America where we can find common ground on this issue. We can protect the principles of what the Second Amendment guarantees law-abiding citizens in owning and possessing a firearm and save lives at the same time. In a bipartisan display of unity, our elected representatives must get this done in order to protect Americans from gun violence and to save lives.

Todd is a gun owner and as a former law enforcement professional, understands and respects the responsibility of owning and possessing a firearm which has been a part of his life. Todd makes an appeal to his fellow firearms owners, hunters, sportsmen and sportswomen that if you support these sensible firearms safety regulations to make your voices heard and express your support to your elected representatives in Washington. Only as Americans can we reduce gun violence and deaths and move our country forward.

Todd supports these PUBLIC SAFETY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM policy initiatives:

  • Common sense, reasonable firearms safety regulations –universal background checks, Extreme Risk Protection Orders (“red flag laws”), waiting periods, and restricting the sale of military assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines (ensuring that these particular firearms and any “cosmetic” enhancements or attachments are also appropriately identified and defined); safe handling and storage of firearms; ensuring the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICCS) is receiving arrest and sentencing information as required (including from U.S. Department of Defense, Military Justice proceedings for service members).

  • Criminal Justice Reform – Federal incentives for states and localities to adopt sentencing and prison reforms that follow the First Step Act which addressed federal sentencing and prison reform exclusively; phase-out and end the use of private prisons.

  • Drug, Alcohol, Opioid Addiction – Increased funding for enforcement, treatment, and prevention; we must continue the momentum in combating the opioid and heroin crisis in our communities.

  • Increased funding for enforcement of White Collar Crime investigations and prosecution – enforcement of tax evasion, money laundering, insurance fraud, identity theft, credit card fraud, and financial crimes targeting the elderly.

  • Supporting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to study gun violence as a public health issue to collect data and conduct research towards reducing gun violence and saving lives.

  • Funding and strengthening Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Programs.

  • Federal funding for local and state law enforcement agencies to hire police officers to serve as School Resource Officers to protect our children and provide safety and crime prevention in schools.

  • Increasing federal resources to address domestic violent extremism - white supremacist terrorists, anti-government militias, anti-fascists militants and other groups subscribing to either right-wing or left-wing political ideologies that engage in forms of domestic extremism and violence.

  • Racial Justice – Condemning and reversing racist policies and practices and supporting political, economic, social, and racial equity for Black Americans, as well as other minority groups and indigenous citizens.