Obama forced to discuss guns last friday

[lawrnk]

Barack Obama wanted to talk about the economy Friday as he campaigned in Pennsylvania, especially in light of that morning's government report showing unemployment increasing to 6.1% in August.

But at least one person wanted to talk instead about gun rights -- an issue Obama can't seem to avoid in the Keystone State. It was an issue that plagued him during the primaries because of his comment about "bitter" small-town Americans who "cling" to guns.


And campaigning Friday near Scranton, the Democrat was asked whether -- as some foes keep insisting -- he would take guns away if elected president. The Times' Noam Levey was on the scene at a factory in Duryea, and he reported that Obama fiercely denied any such intention, and then explained his position:

"Here's what I believe: that the 2nd Amendment is an individual right and it means something; that people have a right to bear arms."

But Obama had some choice words for the National Rifle Assn., which plans to unleash a major ad campaign opposing him this fall:


"Their general attitude is . . . if you even breathe the word gun control or gun safety, then you must want to take away everybody's guns. Well, that's just not true.

"But what we have to understand is that there are two realities about guns in this country. There's the reality of people who are lawfully and safely using guns for hunting and skeet shooting and protecting their families. And you've got illegal handguns being dumped in Philadelphia, in the hands of teenage gang-bangers and drug dealers who are wreaking havoc and killing people. And surely we can come up with a system that protects lawful gun owners but at the same time tries to do something about kids getting shot."


Many have thought so in the past. But so far, as Obama well knows, that's proved a challenge

[Purplehood]

Unfortunately the knee-jerk reaction of many in the anti-gun lobby to the problem of guns getting into the wrong hands is to attempt to restrict the access of those folks that are law-abiding citizens.

[Lodge2004]

The Times' Noam Levey was on the scene at a factory in Duryea, and he reported that Obama fiercely denied any such intention, and then explained his position:

"Here's what I believe: that the 2nd Amendment is an individual right and it means something; that people have a right to bear arms."

Many politicians love to use the phrase..."people have a right to bear arms." because it sounds like they support the Second Amendment. My impression is they are using a shortened version of what they really believe..."people have a right to bear arms while serving in the military or law enforcement"

I feel much more comfortable with a politician who says "people have a right to keep and bear arms".

[flintknapper]

Barack Obama wanted to talk about the economy Friday as he campaigned in Pennsylvania, especially in light of that morning's government report showing unemployment increasing to 6.1% in August.

But at least one person wanted to talk instead about gun rights -- an issue Obama can't seem to avoid in the Keystone State. It was an issue that plagued him during the primaries because of his comment about "bitter" small-town Americans who "cling" to guns.


And campaigning Friday near Scranton, the Democrat was asked whether -- as some foes keep insisting -- he would take guns away if elected president. The Times' Noam Levey was on the scene at a factory in Duryea, and he reported that Obama fiercely denied any such intention, and then explained his position:

"Here's what I believe: that the 2nd Amendment is an individual right and it means something; that people have a right to bear arms."

But Obama had some choice words for the National Rifle Assn., which plans to unleash a major ad campaign opposing him this fall:


"Their general attitude is . . . if you even breathe the word gun control or gun safety, then you must want to take away everybody's guns. Well, that's just not true.

"But what we have to understand is that there are two realities about guns in this country. There's the reality of people who are lawfully and safely using guns for hunting and skeet shooting and protecting their families. And you've got illegal handguns being dumped in Philadelphia, in the hands of teenage gang-bangers and drug dealers who are wreaking havoc and killing people. And surely we can come up with a system that protects lawful gun owners but at the same time tries to do something about kids getting shot."


Many have thought so in the past. But so far, as Obama well knows, that's proved a challenge

Obama, we have a "system" already in place. It's called: RESPONSIBLE PARENTING!

[bdickens]

I've got an idea! Let's fight against drunk driving by making it harder for sober people to own cars!

[John]

I've got an idea! Let's fight against drunk driving by making it harder for sober people to own cars!

You're probably not too far off. More permits, licenses, taxes... Only difference will be that you can buy as many cars as you want and as often as you want. I sure hope people do not truly believe he is for gun ownership. I can assure you the added part about "personal protection" is new. Just a month ago it was all about hunting.

Here's a quote from his web site (yes, i looked, so you don't have to):

Address Gun Violence in Cities: As president, Barack Obama would repeal the Tiahrt Amendment, which restricts the ability of local law enforcement to access important gun trace information, and give police officers across the nation the tools they need to solve gun crimes and fight the illegal arms trade. Obama also favors commonsense measures that respect the Second Amendment rights of gun owners, while keeping guns away from children and from criminals who shouldn't have them. He supports closing the gun show loophole and making guns in this country childproof. He also supports making the expired federal Assault Weapons Ban permanent, as such weapons belong on foreign battlefields and not on our streets.

And about us Sportsmen:

Barack Obama did not grow up hunting and fishing, but he recognizes the great conservation legacy of America's hunters and anglers and has great respect for the passion that hunters and anglers have for their sport. Were it not for America's hunters and anglers, including the great icons like Theodore Roosevelt and Aldo Leopold, our nation would not have the tradition of sound game management, a system of ethical, science-based game laws and an extensive public lands estate on which to pursue the sport. Obama recognizes that we must forge a broad coalition if we are to address the great conservation challenges we face. America's hunters and anglers are a key constituency that must take an active role and have a powerful voice in this coalition.

[Liberty]

"But what we have to understand is that there are two realities about guns in this country. There's the reality of people who are lawfully and safely using guns for hunting and skeet shooting and protecting their families. And you've got illegal handguns being dumped in Philadelphia, in the hands of teenage gang-bangers and drug dealers who are wreaking havoc and killing people. And surely we can come up with a system that protects lawful gun owners but at the same time tries to do something about kids getting shot."


Many have thought so in the past. But so far, as Obama well knows, that's proved a challenge

What is it that makes the guns illegal? And why are the illegal guns attracted to Philadelphia. Can I get these people who are dumping handguns in Philadelphia to dump a few at my address in Galveston? How about the people in Scranton? Do they get any of these dumped guns.
Inquiring gun owners want to know?

[Mr.Scott]

How about Obama work on catching and prosecuting criminals, not tools. Hell there was a guy that attacked a complete stranger on a subway train with a hammer the other day. BAN hammers.