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Title: 'Hunters & Shooters' endorse Obama, group says he supports gun rights
Source:
Raw Story
URL Source: http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Hunte ... dorses_Obama_says_he_0416.html
Published: Apr 16, 2008
Author: Nick Juliano
Post Date: 2008-04-16 13:59:52 by robin
Keywords: None
Views: 977
Comments: 63
The American Hunters & Shooters Association said Obama's views of the 2nd Amendment have been unfairly criticized and its endorsement comes as Obama's opponents are characterizing him as an "elitist" and condescending towards gun-owners. The group sets itself apart from the "more extreme" elements of the pro-gun lobby like the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America. Unlike them, AHSA favors some gun-control measures like background checks and required safety courses for concealed weapons permits. (The NRA has accused the group of being a front for the anti-gun lobby.) Ray Schoenke, the hunters association's president, cited Obama's support of an amendment to a Department of Homeland Security funding bill that would prevent the government from confiscating citizens' guns during an emergency. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Obama's opponent in the Democratic primary, and 16 other senators voted against the amendment. "She turned her back on America's gun owners," Schoenke said during a conference call organized by the Obama campaign Wednesday. Schoenke said the group reached out to the Obama campaign several weeks ago, before the recent controversy surrounding his comments about small-town voters. In announcing their support in the midst of the controversy, though, the group hoped to "set the record straight," about Obama's support of an individual's right to gun ownership, he said. "We understand that the gun issue is going to be very important in this election," said Bob Ricker, the group's executive director, citing an ongoing Supreme Court case regarding a handgun ban in Washington, DC. "Up until this time, the candidates haven't really been willing to talk about guns."
Less than a week after coming under fire for saying small-town Pennsylvanians "cling to" gun rights, Barack Obama picked up the endorsement of a pro-gun association that has backed Democratic candidates in the past.
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 55.
#4. To: robin (#0)
Are you serious? The NRA and GOA "extreme"? Do you agree these groups are extreme, robin?
I don't know enough about them, but I do recall someone here saying the NRA was a front. Ray Schoenke, the hunters association's president, cited Obama's support of an amendment to a Department of Homeland Security funding bill that would prevent the government from confiscating citizens' guns during an emergency. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Obama's opponent in the Democratic primary, and 16 other senators voted against the amendment. "She turned her back on America's gun owners," Schoenke said during a conference call organized by the Obama campaign Wednesday. This I did not know, did you?
Well let me help you robin. There isn't a sole on this forum who'd say the NRA or the GAO is extreme, except for the president of The American Hunters & Shooters Association, who is Democrat politician wannabe.
Obama, disagreeing with the D.C. government and gun control advocates, declares that the Second Amendment's "right of the people to keep and bear arms" applies to individuals, not just the "well regulated militia" in the amendment. In the next breath, he asserts that this constitutional guarantee does not preclude local "common sense" restrictions on firearms. Does the draconian prohibition in Washington fit that description? My attempts to get an answer have proved unavailing. The front-running Democratic presidential candidate is doing the gun dance. Novak: Obama's Second- Amendment Dance. A nuanced position. At least if Novak is to be believed, Hillary has never taken Obama's position that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms.
Obama, disagreeing with the D.C. government and gun control advocates, declares that the Second Amendment's "right of the people to keep and bear arms" applies to individuals, not just the "well regulated militia" in the amendment. In the next breath, he asserts that this constitutional guarantee does not preclude local "common sense" restrictions on firearms. Does the draconian prohibition in Washington fit that description? My attempts to get an answer have proved unavailing. The front-running Democratic presidential candidate is doing the gun dance. He doesn't believe in an individual right to keep and bear arms. Obama believes in local "common sense" restrictions on guns (whatever that means). Novak hasn't received an answer on his position regarding the current DC Supreme Court case that is pending, or what he specifically means by local "common sense" restrictions. Nice try.
Like 6 year olds should not own guns? I call that common sense. It might be worth pursuing what Obama thinks is common sense about guns, if you have concerns.
Robin, some kids are capable of handling firearms at 6, or younger. I did, and I am not alone. But that does not mean that I had unrestricted access to firearms. Some kids, otoh, aren't ready and have to wait. Common sense restrictions apply to the parents. This is true. "Common sense restrictions" are also buzzwords used by anti-gunners to try and justify new laws, when new laws are not needed. It is incredibly common to see them use these buzz words. It's as if they are somehow trying to apologize for what they are trying to do, to soften the impact, to make it more palatable.
I've never heard of small children being allowed to handle firearms. That doesn't sound like good horse sense to me at all. My grandmother, who was born in Oregon Territory, thought it was just terrible that her grandsons could not walk into their own backyard in San Gabriel and do some target practicing. Well, the backyards in California are not big enough for that, our neighbors live much closer than they did when Daniel Boone was trailblazing. We are a nation of laws. Some laws are really stupid, others are really bad, but many are very good. Not everyone is endowed with good horse sense, and they could be your neighbors. Who is enforcing the laws is perhaps even more important. Now this sounds like someone with good horse sense trying to pass reasonable legislation. Legislation that really should never have been necessary in the first place. Ray Schoenke, the hunters association's president, cited Obama's support of an amendment to a Department of Homeland Security funding bill that would prevent the government from confiscating citizens' guns during an emergency. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Obama's opponent in the Democratic primary, and 16 other senators voted against the amendment.
#56. To: robin, all (#55)
OK, we can agree to disagree on kids shooting firearms. No problem. But, about the text I quoted above: So, like so many things they do, they create the problem themselves, then they can blow the trumpets and regally announce that they are working on the solution and we are supposed to swoon with gratitude. Not me.
robin, back to the original article. With all that we learned about The American Hunters & Shooters Association would you agree that it appears to be a hollow vessel for legislators to hide behind?
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestThe group sets itself apart from the "more extreme" elements of the pro-gun lobby like the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America.
#21. To: Jethro Tull (#4)
#24. To: robin (#21)
I don't know enough about them, but I do recall someone here saying the NRA was a front.
#25. To: Jethro Tull (#24)
Barack Obama, who informs campaign audiences that he taught constitutional law for 10 years, might be expected to weigh in on the historic Second Amendment case before the U.S. Supreme Court. The justices are pondering whether the 1976 District of Columbia law effectively prohibiting personal gun ownership in the nation's capital is constitutional. But Obama has not stated his position.
#29. To: aristeides (#25)
From the article;
#30. To: Jethro Tull (#29)
In the next breath, he asserts that this constitutional guarantee does not preclude local "common sense" restrictions on firearms.
#52. To: robin, all (#30)
Like 6 year olds should not own guns? I call that common sense. It might be worth pursuing what Obama thinks is common sense about guns, if you have concerns.
#55. To: PSUSA, Jethro Tull (#52)
Replies to Comment # 55. Now this sounds like someone with good horse sense trying to pass reasonable legislation. Legislation that really should never have been necessary in the first place.
#59. To: robin, X-15, all (#55)
End Trace Mode for Comment # 55.