Republicans v. Democrats: Party Platforms Steering Gun Rights Voters In 2008

[WhiteFeather]

Republicans v. Democrats:
Party Platforms Steering Gun Rights Voters In 2008
by Dave Workman, Senior Editor

Forget about Sen. Barrack Obama's short but decidedly anti-gun voting history and Sen. Joe Biden's much longer pattern of supporting every gun control measure on Capitol Hill.

Ignore Sen. John McCain's record— with the notable exceptions of co*sponsoring a controversial gun show bill and co-authoring a "campaign finance reform" law that infuriated gun rights activists—of opposing gun control on the grounds that it failed to reduce violent crime. And pay no attention at all to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's life member*ship in the National Rifle Association, and her background as an ardent big game hunter and angler.

Gunowners are paying more attention to the respective party platforms showing where Republicans and Demo*crats stand on the gun rights issue, and a careful reading of both position statements reflects a world of difference between where the parties stand.

In the Democrat document, the party donates 126 words to firearms rights.
"We recognize that the right to bear arms is an important part of the Ameri*can tradition, and we will preserve Americans' Second Amendment right to own and use firearms," the party states. "We believe that the right to own firearms is subject to reasonable regula*tion, but we know that what works in Chicago may not work in Cheyenne. We can work together to enact and enforce commonsense laws and improvements – like closing the gun show loophole, improving our background check system, and reinstating the assault weapons ban, so that guns do not fall into the hands of terrorists or criminals. Acting responsibly and with respect for differ*ing views on this issue, we can both protect the constitutional right to bear arms and keep our communities and our children safe."

Republicans go a little farther and get considerably more focused on concerns of gunowners with their 185-word dissertation.

"We uphold the right of individual Americans to own firearms, a right which antedated the Constitution and was solemnly confirmed by the Second Amend*ment," the Republican platform explains. "We applaud the Supreme Court's decision in Heller affirming that right, and we assert the individual responsibility to safely use and store firearms.

"We call on the next president to appoint judges who will similarly respect the Constitution," Republicans continue. "Gun ownership is responsible citizenship, enabling Americans to defend themselves, their property, and communities.

"We call for education in constitutional rights in schools, and we support the option of firearms training in federal programs serving senior citizens and women," the GOP statement adds. "We urge immediate action to review the automatic denial of gun ownership to returning members of the Armed Forces who have suffered trauma during service to their country. We condemn frivolous lawsuits against firearms manufactur*ers, which are transparent attempts to deprive citizens of their rights. We oppose federal licensing of law-abiding gun owners and national gun registra*tion as violations of the Second Amend*ment. We recognize that gun control only affects and penalizes law-abiding citizens, and that such proposals are ineffective at reducing violent crime."

Recently, in an opinion piece circulated to newspapers around the country, SAF founder Alan Gottlieb and this reporter noted that Democrats have finally brought to an end their 14-year-court*ship of the nation's gun owners, with
this platform and by nominating Obama and Biden as this year's presidential and vice presidential candidates.

We noted that "instead of a goodbye kiss, there was a slap in the face; the political approximation of a domestic assault." The New GUN WEEK, October 15, 2008

[adymond]

At least they are finished with the pretense of supporting us. Besides what works in Chicago isn't gun control so maybe what DOES work in Chicago will work elsewhere. What would work in Chicago you ask? Get rid of the local government who can't see the stupid policies they have enacted are hurting the city.

[Brick]

I will say it again:

AFAIC if you don't vote like a gun-owner you suck!

The Presidential race is important, but it is not the only race in town. There are anti-gun politicians to be voted out at the Federal and State Congressional level also, so don't forget, GO VOTE!