Tom McClintock on Crime

2004 former Republican Challenger CA Governor

Death penalty protects us from violent predators

Q: Your comments on a moratorium on capital punishment.

McCLINTOCK: I'm the author of the current lethal injection death penalty. I support it wholeheartedly. It is the advent of DNA testing that should give us greater confidence in the legal process. And it is of utmost importance to the security of the law abiding people of this state to be protected from violent predators that is the primary responsibility of government.

Source: Recall debate in Walnut Creek Sep 3, 2003

Three Strikes law enforces right to self-protection

The fundamental question at stake with the challenge to the "three strikes" law is whether the people of California have the right to protect themselves from violent criminals. The essence of the social contract-and the foundation of America- is the notion that every member of society is endowed with certain inalienable rights. In a state of nature, these rights are subject to violation by predators among us. Thus we establish government to protect those rights.

After many years of rising crime rates, California's government finally took the necessary steps to secure these rights. It adopted the so-called "three strikes law." Californians have a fundamental right to defend themselves from violent predators; they have a fundamental right to draw a line after two serious and violent felonies. They have exercised that right, and the result is a society which is measurably safer and more secure.

Source: State Senate website, www.sen.ca.gov, "Issues Directory" Jul 31, 2002

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