By Erik Iverson, Missoulian, April 23, 2008
When it comes to gun rights, Barack Obama isn’t shooting straight with Montana.
I’ll be the first one to admit, Obama is one of the finest political orators I’ve ever heard. But he can’t talk his way out of this simple fact: His views on the Second Amendment are simply out of step with the values of a vast majority of Montanans. Through both his words and his deeds, Obama has shown that if elected president, he will try and take away many of the freedoms we hold dear n freedoms that were bestowed upon us by our nation’s Founding Fathers.
Montana’s gun laws, and especially our concealed carry laws, are some of the most pro-Second Amendment laws in the nation. Yet just this month, Obama said, “I am not in favor of concealed weapons … I think that creates a potential atmosphere where more innocent people could [get shot during] altercations.” His mindset on guns is pretty clear n arm the criminals and prevent law-abiding citizens from defending themselves.
Additionally, Obama refuses to stand up for gun owners and take a position on the Washington, D.C., gun ban case, which was recently heard before the U.S. Supreme Court. Many legal experts are calling this the most important Second Amendment case ever to be heard by the high court, yet Obama is nowhere to be found. This despite the fact that dozens of elected officials in Montana, both Republican and Democrat, have publicly voiced opposition to the ban and a possible “collective right” ruling.
And now we hear that just a few days ago, Obama told supporters at a fundraiser in San Francisco that those of us in rural America vigorously defend our Second Amendment rights only because we’re “bitter” about our lot in life. I don’t know how much more out of touch with Montana he can be. I suppose that’s why the National Rifle Association has consistently given him an “F” rating.
While his soaring rhetoric in campaign speeches can be enchanting, even spellbinding at times, voters in Montana and all across America are beginning look beyond that flowery language and see the real Barack Obama. And what they’re seeing is that he can’t be trusted when it comes to protecting our gun rights. That’s why America needs a commander-in-chief that’s a straight shooter and a straight talker. And that’s why Montana will support John McCain n because Montanans know that under McCain’s watch, we won’t lose the very constitutional rights that make our country free.
Erik Iverson is chairman of the Montana Republican Party
When it comes to gun rights, Barack Obama isn’t shooting straight with Montana.
I’ll be the first one to admit, Obama is one of the finest political orators I’ve ever heard. But he can’t talk his way out of this simple fact: His views on the Second Amendment are simply out of step with the values of a vast majority of Montanans. Through both his words and his deeds, Obama has shown that if elected president, he will try and take away many of the freedoms we hold dear n freedoms that were bestowed upon us by our nation’s Founding Fathers.
When Sen. Obama spoke with reporters in Montana earlier this month,
he falsely claimed himself a defender of the Second Amendment. I say falsely,
because his record clearly demonstrates his opposition to gun rights on multiple
occasions and that he harbors views contrary to the Montana Constitution as well
as the U.S. Constitution.
Montana’s gun laws, and especially our concealed carry laws, are some of the most pro-Second Amendment laws in the nation. Yet just this month, Obama said, “I am not in favor of concealed weapons … I think that creates a potential atmosphere where more innocent people could [get shot during] altercations.” His mindset on guns is pretty clear n arm the criminals and prevent law-abiding citizens from defending themselves.
Additionally, Obama refuses to stand up for gun owners and take a position on the Washington, D.C., gun ban case, which was recently heard before the U.S. Supreme Court. Many legal experts are calling this the most important Second Amendment case ever to be heard by the high court, yet Obama is nowhere to be found. This despite the fact that dozens of elected officials in Montana, both Republican and Democrat, have publicly voiced opposition to the ban and a possible “collective right” ruling.
And now we hear that just a few days ago, Obama told supporters at a fundraiser in San Francisco that those of us in rural America vigorously defend our Second Amendment rights only because we’re “bitter” about our lot in life. I don’t know how much more out of touch with Montana he can be. I suppose that’s why the National Rifle Association has consistently given him an “F” rating.
While his soaring rhetoric in campaign speeches can be enchanting, even spellbinding at times, voters in Montana and all across America are beginning look beyond that flowery language and see the real Barack Obama. And what they’re seeing is that he can’t be trusted when it comes to protecting our gun rights. That’s why America needs a commander-in-chief that’s a straight shooter and a straight talker. And that’s why Montana will support John McCain n because Montanans know that under McCain’s watch, we won’t lose the very constitutional rights that make our country free.
Erik Iverson is chairman of the Montana Republican Party
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