By Samantha Madison | Utica Observer Dispatch

Jobs, terrorism, nanotechnology and the Safe Act were some of the major topics of discussion at the 22nd Congressional debate at Colgate University Thursday evening.

Jobs, terrorism, nanotechnology and the Safe Act were some of the major topics of discussion at the 22nd Congressional debate at Colgate University Thursday evening.

State Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford, Kim Myers, D-Binghamton, and Martin Babinec, a Little Falls businessman running on the Reform, Independent and Upstate Jobs Party lines, participated in the debate, which was hosted by Time Warner Cable News.

In her opening, Myers touted her involvement in the community and work with her family business Dick’s Sporting Goods. She also discussed the need for Congress to start listening to good ideas regardless of political parties.

Babinec was up next, and spoke about the importance of creating jobs and harnessing the next generation’s talents to start new companies.

Tenney gave her opening statement last and made sure to note that she has a 96 percent attendance record, despite the smear campaign that she says has been launched against her. She said she has fought corruption in Albany and plans to continue to fight corruption in Washington, D.C.

Here’s a look at some of the questions the candidates were asked and how they answered:

Gun control and the SAFE Act

Babinec: If a gun is used in the commission of a crime, it should have really stiff penalties and keep those people off the streets. … I’m a believer that we have to enforce our existing gun laws. And also the resource of things like the background checks and things that we have in place … so that it gets done properly.

Myers: We can have responsible gun ownership in this country, we can absolutely protect the Second Amendment. I don’t really think that anyone is looking at repealing the Second Amendment. … I think both parties can come to agreement, simply no fly no buy, should someone who is on a terrorist watchlist buy a gun? I don’t think so. … Universal background checks across state lines would be helpful as well.

Tenney: I voted against the SAFE Act, I think it was an unfair infringement against our Second Amendment rights. … It is very important that we balance the issue of gun violence with our second amendment rights. … What we need to do is root out a system that would determine that people … should not be carrying a weapon. We can also make sure that we prosecute an illegal gun crime.

Economy

Tenney: This is the biggest issue facing this district. What we need to do is to reduce taxes, regulations and allow private sector to take hold and grow.

Myers: One of the first things was access to credit. When the banks made a debacle of our economy what got hurt was some of our small banks and credit unions, those are the ones that provide credit for our small businesses.

Babinec: I certainly agree that lower taxes and less regulation are important things that need to be done to create a better jobs environment.

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NEXT -> The Issues that Matter. In addition to a commitment to create high-paying job in Upstate New York, Martin Babinec also believes in Reducing Federal Regulations on Public Education, Expanding Broadband Access, Protecting the Second Amendment and Tax & Regulatory Reform. Learn more ->