Rep. Alex Mooney challenges Gov. Jim Justice for U.S. Senate seat, criticizes him for gun control stance
Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., is making waves in the political arena as he challenges Gov. Jim Justice for the Republican nomination for a U.S. Senate seat in 2024. Mooney has taken a bold approach by launching a “Phony Jim Justice” website, where he criticizes the governor on various issues.
One of the claims made on Mooney’s website is that Justice “supports banning sporting rifles for law-abiding citizens.” This accusation has sparked controversy and drawn attention to the differing views between the two candidates on gun rights.
In response to inquiries, Mooney’s campaign spokesperson, Brittany Yanick, pointed to statements made by Justice during a briefing in May 2022, where he discussed the possibility of raising the minimum age to purchase assault weapons to 21. Justice expressed concerns about 18-year-olds buying such weapons but did not sign any legislation to ban them.
Furthermore, Justice clarified in the same briefing that he did not support an assault weapons ban and acknowledged the need for citizens to have access to such firearms for self-defense purposes.
Interestingly, Justice later signed a bill in March 2023 that actually expanded gun rights in West Virginia. The new law allows individuals with concealed-carry permits to carry concealed weapons on college campuses in the state.
On his campaign website, Justice emphasizes his belief in the Second Amendment and the importance of protecting citizens’ rights to bear arms. He advocates for more resources for law enforcement, mental health services, and prisons to keep violent criminals off the streets.
In light of these facts, Mooney’s claim that Justice “supports banning sporting rifles for law-abiding citizens” is deemed false. Justice’s actions and statements demonstrate his support for gun rights and opposition to increased gun control measures.
As the political battle heats up between Mooney and Justice, it will be interesting to see how their differing stances on gun rights and other issues play out in the race for the U.S. Senate nomination in 2024. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
