Be rational about Obama's views on gun control
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: Opinion
Since Barack Obama was deemed president-elect a couple of weeks ago, gun stores across the country - including in Fayetteville - have experienced incredible surges in sales.
Apparently, many U.S. citizens are concerned that when Obama and the predominately Democratic administration enter the White House, their gun rights will be severely restricted.
In general, as most of these people should know, Obama probably will have much more to worry about after he is inaugurated Jan. 20, 2009, than restricting gun rights, and according to CNN.com, his aides have repeatedly said that Obama considers the gun issue to be a low priority, anyway.
But Obama's views on gun control are a little muddy - he says he supports gun rights, but he sought to limit handgun purchases by Illinois residents to one a month (the bill didn't pass), and he has said that local governments should be allowed to regulate gun control.
This last view has led to some confusion as to whether he supported the 32-year-old Washington D.C. gun ban, but the ban was shot down by the Supreme Court in June in a 5-4 ruling, with the Court maintaining that the Second Amendment called for an individual constitutional right "to keep and bear arms."
We certainly hope Obama remains reasonable in his decision-making regarding gun rights and that he upholds the Second Amendment, but we imagine he will. According to FactCheck.org, a National Rifle Association advertising campaign severely distorted much about Obama's views on gun control, including that he planned to ban hunting ammunition.
Most relieving of all, perhaps, is that during a 2008 Las Vegas Democratic debate, Obama said this:
"It is very important for many Americans to be able to hunt, fish, take their kids out, teach them how to shoot. Then you've got the reality of 34 Chicago public school students who get shot down on the streets of Chicago.
"We can reconcile those two realities by making sure the Second Amendment is respected and that people are able to lawfully own guns, but that we also start cracking down on the kinds of abuses of firearms that we see on the streets."
That gun stores are selling out across the country is disconcerting for more than one reason, and according to Obama's speech, there's no reason to be rashly buying guns in reaction to his election.
If Obama is being rational about gun control, so should citizens.
Apparently, many U.S. citizens are concerned that when Obama and the predominately Democratic administration enter the White House, their gun rights will be severely restricted.
In general, as most of these people should know, Obama probably will have much more to worry about after he is inaugurated Jan. 20, 2009, than restricting gun rights, and according to CNN.com, his aides have repeatedly said that Obama considers the gun issue to be a low priority, anyway.
But Obama's views on gun control are a little muddy - he says he supports gun rights, but he sought to limit handgun purchases by Illinois residents to one a month (the bill didn't pass), and he has said that local governments should be allowed to regulate gun control.
This last view has led to some confusion as to whether he supported the 32-year-old Washington D.C. gun ban, but the ban was shot down by the Supreme Court in June in a 5-4 ruling, with the Court maintaining that the Second Amendment called for an individual constitutional right "to keep and bear arms."
We certainly hope Obama remains reasonable in his decision-making regarding gun rights and that he upholds the Second Amendment, but we imagine he will. According to FactCheck.org, a National Rifle Association advertising campaign severely distorted much about Obama's views on gun control, including that he planned to ban hunting ammunition.
Most relieving of all, perhaps, is that during a 2008 Las Vegas Democratic debate, Obama said this:
"It is very important for many Americans to be able to hunt, fish, take their kids out, teach them how to shoot. Then you've got the reality of 34 Chicago public school students who get shot down on the streets of Chicago.
"We can reconcile those two realities by making sure the Second Amendment is respected and that people are able to lawfully own guns, but that we also start cracking down on the kinds of abuses of firearms that we see on the streets."
That gun stores are selling out across the country is disconcerting for more than one reason, and according to Obama's speech, there's no reason to be rashly buying guns in reaction to his election.
If Obama is being rational about gun control, so should citizens.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 10
Jim
posted 11/21/08 @ 12:03 AM CST
The editors are overlooking the obvious.
The NRA believes Obama is a clear and present danger to the 2nd Amendment.
One needs to understand the SCOTUS decision in the Heller - DC Gun Ban case was a 5-4 decision. (Continued…)
A.L.L.
posted 11/21/08 @ 8:27 AM CST
There's nothing irrational about buying a gun right now. Obama and his party will seek to reinstate the "assault weapons" ban, which will make many gun purchases illegal in the future. (Continued…)
Patrick
posted 11/21/08 @ 9:07 AM CST
I couldn't agree more. In an era where our personal liberties are being steadily eroded away it's only prudent to take steps to protect those that remain. (Continued…)
Carl in Chicago
posted 11/21/08 @ 3:23 PM CST
Traveler's Editorial board needs to think rationally, too. I know Obama. I know he has opposed second amendment rights wherever he could, and has supported their restriction wherever he could. (Continued…)
Helen
posted 3/17/09 @ 2:24 PM CST
If Obama is for the right of having guns, then why did he put Eric Holder ( Attorney General) into power? Mr. Holder is very strongly opossed to the right of having certain guns! Plus as a memember of the Illinois Senate, Obama was entitled to have a special hand gun license to carry a gun. (Continued…)
Lori
posted 3/20/09 @ 10:59 AM CST
Hello all. I come from a family where hunting is an important family passtime... A way of life even. Two or three generations out together bonding, by hunting (and fishing). (Continued…)
Lori
Lori
posted 3/20/09 @ 11:03 AM CST
Hello all. I come from a family where hunting is an important family passtime... A way of life even. Two or three generations out together bonding, by hunting (and fishing). (Continued…)
Alex
posted 3/24/09 @ 11:42 PM CST
"If Obama is being rational about gun control, so should citizens."
And what would you suggest, if a bill is rushed through Congress with the speed of the recent bailouts? With the same laughable transparency(yes, Obama, we haven't forgotten your campaign promise to put bills on the internet for 5 days before signing them)?
Reactionary? Maybe. (Continued…)
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