Morris County Republicans are doubling down on making the 2018 election a referendum on guns.
Scott Bach, the executive director of the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs and the only National Rifle Association (NRA) board member from New Jersey, will be the keynote speaker at the Morris County Women’s Republican Club (MCWRC) brunch in April.
“At a time in our country when our Second Amendment rights are being threatened and the political climate is more polarizing than ever, Morris County is leading the way with civil discourse on this incredibly important topic,” said Angelique Scholl, the MCWRC president. “Our elected leaders, volunteers, and members are as enthused as ever to protect our freedoms and revitalize the Republican Party in New Jersey.”
Guns are expected to be an issue in the high profile 11th district congressional race, where Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen is retiring after twelve terms.
Bach, a Morris County resident, is described by the MCWRC as “a gun rights leader in the most hostile territory imaginable for nearly two decades.”
“Scott has redefined the meaning of ‘relentless’ as he has repeatedly beaten the odds, often leaving New Jersey gun-ban politicians stunned, embarrassed, and defeated,” a MCWRC press release said. “Often demonized in the liberal media, and sometimes the target of death threats from those who preach ‘tolerance,’ Scott leads one million gun owners, hunters, sportsmen, and sportswomen in the Garden State.”
The Morris County Democratic Women’s Caucus supports comprehensive gun laws, says president Meghan Lynch.
“New Jersey is a leader in common sense gun regulation, but more can and must be done to protect our citizens,” Lynch said. “Those who oppose such progress are grossly out of touch.”
At least one prominent Morris County Republican thinks inviting Bach to speak is a bad idea.
Former Harding Mayor Nicolas Platt, who is considering a bid for Frelinghuysen’s seat, says he sat down with Bach last year to discuss his position on guns as a candidate for freeholder.
“I caution any one of us who seeks this particular seat to understand the consequences in getting an NRA endorsement,” said Platt. “There is no question in my mind that a conservative cannot win in November because the most of what the conservative hard-right is saying is ideological nonsense and people know it. That is especially true when it comes to their interpretation of the 2nd Amendment. They seem unfazed when anyone points out that even Associate Justice Antonin Scalia and Ronald Reagan concluded that a citizen’s right to bear arms did not include the ownership of an assault rifle.”
Platt’s family owned and ran the Remington Arms Company, he largest gun and munitions factory in the world for over 70 years.
“Semi-automatic weapons have no place in civilian hands. Period. And any candidate who does not support a restriction on certain type of gun ownership in the 11th district race will lose,” Platt said. “Do you
