To the editor:

Given the current national conversation on gun safety, I’ve been watching the candidates in the District 11 state senate race, and what I’ve heard from Republican John Pagliarini makes me very concerned. Both Pagliarini and his opponent — Democrat Jim Seveney — are supporters of the Second Amendment, but that’s where they part company.

Seveney has said that he supports common-sense measures like keeping guns out of the hands of perpetrators of domestic violence and closing the loophole that permits carrying concealed weapons on school property.

Pagliarini, at the PCC forum in Portsmouth, dismissed the idea of limiting concealed carry, and went so far as to suggest that arming administrators, staff and teachers “had benefits.” (Seveney’s stated position was that only properly trained officers should be armed around our kids.) And last  week, at a forum at the Newport Rifle Club, Pagliarini insinuated that legislation protecting vulnerable partners was nothing but a ploy: “The latest method of the progressive Democrats is to bring (gun control) via domestic violence bills.”

Like Mr. Seveney, I support the Second Amendment. But none of our fundamental rights are without limit. I think Mr. Pagliarini’s extreme views are out of step with the majority of my neighbors in District 11. We want someone representing us who will protect our schoolchildren and people at risk. On Jan. 5, I’ll be voting for Jim Seveney.

John G. McDaid

65 Gormley Ave.

Portsmouth