Machine Gun Cheney

[Cameron Lamont]

From a NEws MAx email:

1. Machine Gun Cheney

Dick Cheney is a proud gun owner and hunter.

In April the Vice President addressed the NRA to wild cheers and acknowledged his own interest in guns.

But a source close to the White House tells NewsMax that Dick Cheney is a true gun aficionado.

Cheney's collection, our sources say, is in the hundreds of guns, including pistols, shotguns and machine guns -- from antique Thompsons to the most modern European automatic machine guns.

To let off some steam (God knows he has some to let off these days), the Vice President has been known to go out to the federal training center in Maryland where the Secret Service does its own gun practice.

A typical Cheney visit, told to us by a person who attended one, included the Vice President bringing some 30 guns from his own collection.

On the range, Cheney would blow away his targets -- with Thompson machine guns, the latest German and Austrian machine guns, Lugars, MP5s, shot guns, you name it.

One after another an aide would hand the Vice President his latest armament, and Cheney would fire away, no doubt imagining al-Qaeda terrorists in his gun sights.

We're told Cheney is a good shot to boot.

Cheney is not shy about his shooting activities. Another Cheney friend tells us that at the Cheneys' Christmas party last year he showcased to guests a video of himself shooting while hunting.

 

[manwithoutahome]

Cheney's collection, our sources say, is in the hundreds of guns, including pistols, shotguns and machine guns -- from antique Thompsons to the most modern European automatic machine guns.

I wonder how many of these are after the 1986 ban? Or is the ban just for us lowly peons?

M.

 

[Cameron Lamont]

I thought the same thing reading it. I wouldn't be surprised if they are actually semi autos... and media spin.

Cameron

 

[AK103K]

Perhaps he is a machinegun dealer and sells to the government as a side business.

 

[sturmruger]

I don't care what people say about Cheney. I have always liked him. Even when I was a kid and he was the Sec Def.

 

[Hutch]

The more I learn of that enigmatic fellow, the more I like him. On one of the Sunday AM shows prior to the election, he was called out by the talking head for opposing some piece of gun legislation that "Even THE NRA SUPPORTS!!!". Cheney's reply? "I guess that proves I'm not in the pocket of the NRA, doesn't it?"

 

[Reno]

So what're the chances of him spearheading the fight to repeal the 1986 MG ban?

 

[AK103K]

So what're the chances of him spearheading the fight to repeal the 1986 MG ban?

What? And have all those investments take a nose dive??

 

[BenW]

"Even THE NRA SUPPORTS!!!". Cheney's reply? "I guess that proves I'm not in the pocket of the NRA, doesn't it?"

Gotta love that line.....

 

[Sam Adams]

So what're the chances of him spearheading the fight to repeal the 1986 MG ban?

Not that I wish any harm on the current occupant of the White House, but Cheney is next in line. Assuming that he's the VP nominee this year, he'll be in the same position until 1/20/09. His being President might just have some slight impact on policy.

Even in the absence of such a tragedy (which I hope to be the case), one can also assume that Bush's 2nd term will see more of the "real" Bush, since he won't be facing another election. Cheney is, arguably, one of the chief advisors to the President; I can't see how having someone who owns hundreds of guns meeting with the President on a daily/weekly basis is a bad thing. Cheney MUST know lots about the gun laws and their effect on average citizens - he didn't become such a good shot in just the last 3 or so years, and thus must have acquired many/most of his guns quite some time ago (when he was as subject to the law as we mere peons are).

This is GREAT news. I hope that he brings along Bush and lots of Congresscritters in the future, so that they can all see how much fun it is to be free. I'd especially like to see him bring along those 'critters that are on the fence about the issue - let them see how the Schumers and Feinsteins are lying to them!

 

[Waitone]

Great news that Chaney's been outted.

If I had my druthers, and I don't, I'd druther see Dubya put in an outdoor range on his ranch. Then I'd like to see him hold a press conference with am 870 in his arm and highly polished 1911 on his hip. No doubt some "journalist" would get the vapors.

You are right. Bush if reelected does not have to pander to any side. So the question becomes, "What does he really believe?" I'm at a loss to explain his belief system. I tend to pidgeon hole people based on what they do. In Bush's case his actions on gun issues have flip and flopped around as much as Kerry does on other issues.

 

[Sam Adams]

Waitone

I think that Bush has very carefully (and intentionally) avoided making any specific pronouncements regarding guns, so as to not upset several tens or hundreds of thousands of bliss-ninny soccer moms. He's not signed any anti- legislation, nor has he even pushed for its adoption. In fact, he asked for the lawsuit protection legislation to be sent to him in its pure form, i.e. without the AWB renewal, etc. attached.

Coming from a guy who signed the CHL-enabling legislation in TX, I'd say that he's pro-gun but the pol in him doesn't want to be too upfront about it. Time will tell, as I don't think that (the incredibly anti-gun) Ketchup Boy is going to be anything but a Senator after 1/20/05.

 

[moa]

Now do you suppose Cheney cleans his guns after a range visit? Probably left to th Secret Sevice.

Rumor mill has it that Jim Brady, prior to being shot during the Pres. Reagan assassination attempt, was a big time gunnie. He supposedly liked full auto and exotic stuff like silencers. Brady was Reagan's Press Secretary.

 

[Justin]

moa- On top of that, Tom Diaz, one of the screeching harpies at the Violence Policy Center is an avowed handgun afficionado.

But I suppose that political power has it's priveleges, like access to exotic stuff us peons will only see in movies.

 

[atek3]

the brady machine gun thing is an urban legend. Tom Diaz and Michael Moore USED to be gun enthusiasts. Tom Diaz was a member of the armed services where he realized 'lowly peons' couldn't be trusted with arms. So a politician is into guns, big whoop. So is Don Perata (proud AR owner and author of the california AWB) and Dianne Feinstein (Kali CCW holder, tried to ban handguns in california). We have a republican house, senate and presidency. Every day another "Extremist bill supported by the NRA and more extreme GOA" should be introduced into congress. Let the liberal ninnies worry about shooting down bills that would enable "6 year old children to walk into hardware stores and pay cash for machine guns." or "Extend the full faith and credit clause of the consitution to concealed carry permits, enabling anyone with a permit anywhere to carry anywhere."
Thats what I'd like to see from the bushivik administration.

atek3

 

[Ian]

He has machine guns. So what? What on earth would make anyone think that just because of that he would want us lowly peasants to have firearms, much less actively work to repeal gun laws?

Feinstein has a CCW; Sarah Brady bought her son a rifle for Christmas; Kofi Annan has legions of armed bodyguards. Anyone planning to start counting on them to support the RKBA?

Cheney is a high-level Federal politician. Until absolutely proven otherwise, that makes him an corrupt, power-hungry slimeball. He wouldn't even think twice about backstabbing gun owners for a buck or a vote.

 

[brookstexas]

Great rumor

I'm sure it's veeeery true and not just part of the karl rove spin machine.
If it is true it would be nice if he had enough balls to act like he is pro gun and not work for an anti-gun president...
BT

 

[Baba Louie]

If it is true it would be nice if he had enough balls to act like he is pro gun

I wonder why the NRA would invite an anti-gun VP of the US to come speak at their annual convention???

While serving in Congress, he was one of 21 members opposing the sale ban of armor-piercing bullets; was one of only four to oppose the ban on guns that can get through metal detectors; opposed sanctions against the apartheid-era South Africa in the mid-1980s along with voting against a resolution calling for the release of Nelson Mandela; voted for a constitutional amendment to ban school busing; voted against Head Start; and voted against extending the Clean Water Act in 1987.

Sounds good so far (gun wise)

http://www.housevote.com/2004/Dick_Cheney_Gun_Control.htm
A little waffling perhaps, but a politician will waffle now and then (LOL) especially when it might cost him a vote or three.

We know he now has a flintlock... http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/04/18/nra.convention.ap/

But then again, all gun owners did have to leave their guns at home when he visited Utah a while back

 

[Langenator]

Remember, Cheney was THE Congressman from Wyoming (the only one, as opposed to the state's two Senators) prior to becoming SecDef under Bush I. IIRC, Wyoming was one of the western options for the Free State Project. The state is definitely pro-gun.

Now do you suppose Cheney cleans his guns after a range visit?

This conjures up a fun picture-Cheney, in a cabinet meeting, with a disassembled Tommy gun, bottle of Hoppe's, and some rags on the table in front of him, wiping down parts while listening to briefings.

 

[Dave R]

Either that, or it makes me want to be a high-ranking government official so I could shoot more and clean less...

(not that I mind cleaning guns--its something fun to do when you can't be shooting them.)

 

[Sam Adams]

I am no Bushbot, but some of you go too far

"He wouldn't even think twice about backstabbing gun owners for a buck or a vote."

After November he'll never face another election, and as things stand he does nothing anyway except wait for Bush to die. Even facing an election, no VP has no direct influence over policy, and thus can't offer any deals unless the President cooperates. This is a non-issue.

Regarding corruption, I believe that Dick Cheney has enough money to never need to be corrupt. Even before leaving Halliburton he wasn't even close to being poor, and his severence package was worth something like $20 million.
__________________
"If it is true it would be nice if he had enough balls to act like he is pro gun and not work for an anti-gun president..."

Bush is FAR from my ideal President as far as the gun issue is concerned, but he is no anti-gunner. You want an anti-gun President: take a look at the 8 years before Bush got into office - we not only got the Brady and AWB laws, we had Executive Orders galore that affected gunowners (e.g. "table-top" FFLs were all but eliminated), and a President who regularly made anti-gun speeches and comments and who fought for anti-gun legislation. Does Bush do ANY of that stuff? Again, I'd much prefer Bush to be outspokenly pro-gun, but being less than perfect (even MUCH less than perfect) doesn't make him an anti. There have been no anti-gun bills passed, and the AWB looks set to expire - how's that anti-gun? Let's also take a look at the alternative to Bush in November: what would you call Kerry if you think Bush is anti-gun?

 

[Treylis]

We have a republican house, senate and presidency. Every day another "Extremist bill supported by the NRA and more extreme GOA" should be introduced into congress. Let the liberal ninnies worry about shooting down bills that would enable "6 year old children to walk into hardware stores and pay cash for machine guns." or "Extend the full faith and credit clause of the consitution to concealed carry permits, enabling anyone with a permit anywhere to carry anywhere."
Thats what I'd like to see from the bushivik administration.

Seconded.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I hope Vice President Cheney doesn't have any of those guns in Washington, D.C.

 

[Sodbuster]

They moved the US Naval Observatory to... Oxen Hill. Yeah, that's the ticket. They moved it to Oxen Hill.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

Well, I bet he does not have any "interstate transport" issues.

Any one of us could own MGs if we wnted to or had the $ (and were willing to sign for Class III). Don't put the man down for enjoying shooting and practicing when he can. Just shows that he as urges just like us.