Letter to Editor in Williamsport Sun-Gazette

[clarion44]

Letter I read in the Williamsport Sun Gazette this morning "Obama and the Second Amendment"

I'm wrote my own little letter and wanted to share to see what the general opinion was and if I should change/add/subtract anything.


CORRECTIONS MADE

---Skewed View---
Ms. Vosk's letter to hunters regarding Senator Obama's support of the Second Amendment is slightly skewed. The Second Amendment consists of a lot more than just taking out the rifle to hunt. Senator Obama has been cited to being opposed to concealed carry and semi-automatic firearms, as well as a few other firearm issues. Obama may support hunters, but he hardly supports the Second Amendment.

Senator Obama has never supported concealed carry for the everyday individual. He said, "I am consistently on record and will continue to be on record as opposing concealed carry," after voting for a bill in Illinois allowing retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed. (From Promise to Power, by David Mendell, p.250-251, Aug. 14, 2007) Why should only current and retired law enforcement officers have the right to protect themselves? What makes their life worth more than say yours or mine? More recently the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review in an article quoted Obama on April 2, 2008, saying, "I am not in favor of concealed weapons. ... I think that creates a potential atmosphere where more innocent people could (get shot during) altercations." Anyone who carries a firearm in defense, or even while hunting, already knows they should know their target and what's beyond it. If an innocent bystander is shot, it will probably be by the criminal who is only thinking about completing what they set out to do. Luckily here in Pennsylvania our legislators support carrying of firearms. Just this week (Oct. 8), the PA General Assembly voted unanimously on a bill (HB 1845) that included legislation that protects the right to carry while in a state park.

Senator Obama's "Urban Policy" mentions he supports reinstating the expired federal Assault Weapons Ban (AWB) and making it permanent. This was designed to keep military type rifles from being on the streets, as well as firearms with certain features such as bayonet lug, expandable stock, etc. The problem with this is military rifles are fully automatic and have always been illegal to own without a federal license. The firearms affected by the ban include ones that only fire one round per trigger pull (semi-automatic), like most handguns today. Many of these semi-automatic firearms are commonly used today in competitions held throughout the U.S. through the Civilian Marksmanship Program, the National Rifle Association, and the United States Practical Shooting Association.

One could say Senator Obama supports hunters in their efforts to "bag the big one", but saying he supports the Second Amendment... I just don't see it. Supporting something while placing numerous controls doesn't seem logical. The truth about the American Hunting and Shooting Association is that it’s the latest of anti-gun groups camouflaging themselves as pro-hunting and pro-conservation to split the community. On their website they talk about how important hunting and conservation are, but have no programs in place to help inform the public. The NRA and National Shooting Sports Foundation have offered numerous programs over the years to assist new and seasoned firearm owners, in every discipline of the sporting sports. The NRA and NSSF seem pleased with the Republican ticket to protect the Second Amendment, and so am I.
---The End---

[MrBi11]

Many of these semi-automatic firearms are commonly used today in competitions held throughout the U.S. through the National Rifle Association and the United States Practical Shooting Association.

You could add the Civilian Marksmanship Program to that list.
The CMP was created by the U.S. Congress. The original purpose was to provide civilians an opportunity to learn and practice marksmanship skills so they would be skilled marksmen if later called on to serve the U.S. military.

Also, just my 2¢, but the 2nd Amendment has nothing to do with hunting, It's purpose is to make sure a private citizen has access to firearms for self defense. regardless if thats from another person, or the government foreign or domestic.

[shooter357]

The NRA and National Shooting Sports Foundation seem pleased with the Republican party on the ticket and have been around longer than the I'll end with Section 21 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, "The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned."

It seems to be missing something.

[SuperMoose]

It is my belief from looking how how historical events that founded this nation evolved, that the Second Amendment is more to protect the citizens from a tyrannical government. However, as with everything, there are multiple interpretations. You're letter was well written. The only part I saw that needed help was the part at the end mentioned by shooter357. Typos happen to me all the time when writing, so just go back and figure out what you meant to put there. Nice to see people are trying to put the crap Obama is lying about back into perspective.

[T Durdin]

Thank you for attempting to educate the editors of your local media outlet and fellow citizens. I hope it will make some pause to think about these issues and Obama's anti-gun stance.

[IV_Warrior]

You might also want to point out that the American Hunters and Shooters Association, referenced in the letter as endorsing Obama is an anti-gun organization. The name is merely to fool those uneducated about their real priorities. (Like the lady claiming their endorsement means Obama is pro-gun)

From Wikipedia:

The American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA) is an organization involved in advocacy for gun control,[1] founded to more effectively promote the efforts of the Brady Campaign.[2] Its critics claim that AHSA is a front organization aimed at dividing gun owners by pointing to AHSA members' bias against private ownership of the most popular modern sporting firearms, and note AHSA leaders have donated money to gun control groups[3] and maintained ties to individuals and organizations who advocate gun control.[4] Despite the similarity in name, AHSA has no ties to the field marksmanship promoting organization, the Hunter's Shooting Association (HSA).

[CPratt]

Good reply but i doubt they would print it.

[clarion44]

You could add the Civilian Marksmanship Program to that list.
The CMP was created by the U.S. Congress. The original purpose was to provide civilians an opportunity to learn and practice marksmanship skills so they would be skilled marksmen if later called on to serve the U.S. military.

Also, just my 2¢, but the 2nd Amendment has nothing to do with hunting, It's purpose is to make sure a private citizen has access to firearms for self defense. regardless if thats from another person, or the government foreign or domestic.

Wow, I totally forgot about CMP. Guess that'll happen when you write something while working 3rd shift.

It seems to be missing something.

Thanks for the catch. I wanted to add info related to what IV_Warrior pointed out.

You might also want to point out that the American Hunters and Shooters Association, referenced in the letter as endorsing Obama is an anti-gun organization. The name is merely to fool those uneducated about their real priorities. (Like the lady claiming their endorsement means Obama is pro-gun)

From Wikipedia:

Thanks all!

[clarion44]

Well as of tonight it hasn't been posted on the Sun-Gazettes site. I did just submit it on Thursday afternoon, so I suppose it might take a few days. We'll see.

[Tiadaghton44]

I will also be surprised if they print it. If they do, BEWARE! That paper likes to shift your words around and cut stuff out. They do slant to the left. The woman you are opposing writes many pro-obama letters. I'm fairly sure she would fall into the....."femi-nazi liberal radical socialist"....category. I'm surprised their isn't a hyphen in her name I'm glad you're responding with the truth. I used to write letters to the editor until they re-arranged my letter. Then I lost my trust. The media cries bloody murder if their 1st right is violated yet they will mess with yours all they want to.