AHSA endorses Obama

April 17, 2008

By endorsing Obama, declaring “He gets it,” AHSA president Ray Schoenke illustrates how much he doesn’t get it. From huntersandshooters.com:

AHSA Endorses Obama
Obama: He “gets it”

Today, as President of the American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA), I announced our endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.   Because the gun issue has recently become a factor in the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania, I want to share the remarks I made today:

As a gun rights organization we have not come to this decision lightly.  We were formed two years ago because our research shows that millions of gun owners wanted a change.  They not only wanted an organization that would protect their gun rights but an organization that was also committed to the protection of their communities as well as the protection of our lands. We reached out to the Obama campaign several weeks ago to offer our support and approval as was reported by Paul Bedard of US News and World Report. We believe recent attacks on Senator Obama’s stand on the 2nd Amendment and his commitment to our hunting and shooting heritage are unfair and American Hunters and Shooters Association is stepping up to set the record straight.

Senator Obama has clearly demonstrated his commitment to the 2nd Amendment by his vote in support of the Vitter amendment to HR 5441, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill of 2007.  This amendment prevents the Government from confiscating guns in a time of crisis or emergency. Imagine how the citizens felt during Hurricane Katrina when government agents kicked in doors to confiscate law abiding citizens’ guns at a time when they needed them the most.  We know Senator Obama “gets it.”  To say that he is an elitist is patently ridiculous. To hunters and shooters everywhere, Senator Obama’s vote demonstrated a fundamental understanding of the meaning of the 2nd Amendment which means he recognizes the individual right of all citizens to keep and bear arms.  Senator Clinton, on the hand, failed to grasp the importance of this critical issue to hunters and shooters and voted against this Amendment.  She turned her back on America’s gun owners. In addition, Senator Obama’s commitment to conservation and protection of our natural resources and access to public lands demonstrates to us his commitment to America’s hunting and shooting heritage. Senator Obama will be a strong and authentic voice for America’s hunters and shooters and it is with great pleasure that we endorse his candidacy.

Ray Schoenke
Wednesday, April 16, 2008

As I pointed out a couple weeks ago, Obama does have one more pro gun vote than Senator Clinton. In fact, Obama’s support of the Vitter amendment is the only pro-gun vote either of the democrats have cast. So while he may be better than Senator Clinton (which I would question), he is no friend of gun owners. Among other things, Obama has advocated banning handguns, heavy restrictions on semi-autos, and banning FFLs from operating within 5 miles of a park or school. In my hometown of Milwaukee, there would be no FFLs in the county, and only a very few areas in the neighboring counties that an FFL could operate in. More info sportsmenforobama.org.

The American Hunters and Shooters Association’s endorsement of Senator Obama proves yet again that they are no friend to hunter, shooters, and Second Amendment supporters. Notice also that the endorsement does not even mention Senator McCain. While 2A supporters have had their problems with Senator McCain, no one can seriously argue that either Senator Obama or Senator Clinton have a better record on the Second Amendment than Senator McCain. Oh yeah, Schoenke only supports democrats and Brady Campaign friends, so he obviously couldn’t endorse McCain.

Hat tip: Snowflakes in Hell

No Comments » | AHSA, Katrina, The Obamination | Permalink
Posted by Peter

Gura on machine guns

March 21, 2008

Michael Bane had a post regarding the discussion of machine guns in the D.C. v. Heller oral arguments, including quoting a post from Alan Gura. I have to admit that I cringed listening to the exchanges regarding machine guns, as I believe that military style weapons should be available to U.S. citizens, and machine guns seemed to be bargained away. Alan Gura, however, nailed it. If he had gone in arguing that the court had to rule for an all encompassing right, we would likely lose the case. Listening to the tone of questioning from the justices, it is clear that they were not in sympathy with opening the door wide to all weapons. We must remember that a victory in part is much better than a loss in full; we must be willing to take a small win, and use that as a building block to a larger goal.

 

Remember that the NFA was passed over 70 years ago, and as much as we would like to see it disappear in one sweeping ruling or a single bill in congress, IT WON’T. I am sure there are many people that want the court to rule that everything up to and maybe beyond howitzers were allowed, and some of them feel that some arms were “thrown under the bus” by Gura, but Alan Gura went for the win IN THIS CASE, and he did so quite well. If the court decides that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right and strikes down D.C.’s ban, WE HAVE WON. It may not be the sweeping reversal of (almost) all gun control laws that we would love to see, but it is a win, we need to take it.

 

Michael Bane also makes a very good argument for the legalization of suppressors, and that would be an excellent start in legislative incrementalism. After that, maybe short barrels, and then… Just as our liberties have been taken away a little at a time, we need to win it back in ANY increment that we can get.

The other area where Alan Gura nails it is the final quote:

“You want to change 922(o)? Take a new person shooting. Work for ‘climate change.’”

 

I haven’t gotten a chance to start ranting about this, but if we want to win this argument, we must take new people shooting. We must take more opportunities to exercise our rights, and encourage others to do the same. We must win in the court of public opinion, and the wins with the law makers and judges will follow. Take a friend hunting or shooting. Bring someone to a First Shots class. Talk to a coworker, friend, or family member, and work to educate them. Work for climate change.

 

As much it may feel like we are losing ground at times, look around: 48 states have some form of concealed carry; and castle doctrine and Katrina legislation are sweeping the nation. Some studies say that approximately 66% of Americans feel that the Second Amendment protect an individual right. We are making great strides, and I think it is safe to say we are winning. We have a long way to go, but momentum is on our side.

So go shooting!

No Comments » | Castle Doctrine, Concealed Carry, D.C. v. Heller, Katrina, New Shooters, gun politics | Permalink
Posted by Peter

Wisconsin’s Katrina Law

March 14, 2008

It looks like Wisconsin’s Governor Doyle finally got one right. Yesterday he signed AB-581, the “Katrina Bill”, into law. The bill prevents anyone with emergency powers, such as in a time of natural disaster or extreme civil unrest, from confiscating or restricting legally owned firearms and ammunition. While it may be unthinkable to some, this is exactly what happened in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In the time when people needed them the most, the police were confiscating a citizen’s best means of protection. The passage of this bill will go a long way to help prevent this from happening if such a disaster ever occurs in Wisconsin.

I suppose this means I have to call Doyle’s office and thank him for signing it… First having to call and thank Feingold signing the Amicus brief, now Doyle…

What a great problem to have.

No Comments » | Jim Doyle, Katrina, Wisconsin, gun politics | Permalink
Posted by Peter