Dan from MI
Member
I received this from a friend of mine on Romney's campaign. Although I'm Republican please note that I have NOT endorsed Romney for President and have many questions I will ask him before I consider voting for him in a general election, let alone a primary. (If the election was today, I'd be voting for Jim Gilmore - but that's not a final decision here) I'm posting this strictly for discussion purposes.
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Mitt Romney on the 2nd Amendment
--POSITIVE--
Governor Romney is a strong supporter of the 2nd amendment and despite a heavily democratic anti-gun legislature has been able to work across the aisle to simplify and clarify gun laws in the state. For instance, he supported and signed into law legislation that clarified the term "loaded gun" so that hunters wouldn't have to unload their guns every time they crossed a public road in pursuit of game.
Actions Praised by Gun Owner’s:
#1:
In July of 2006, Governor Mitt Romney (R) signed H. 4552, which makes exemptions for the makers of customized target pistols, who, due to a provision within state law, have found it increasingly difficult to do business in Massachusetts. Prior to the signing of H. 4552, the law required firearm makers to test at least five examples of all new products “until destruction†in order to prevent accidental discharges. Since specialty target pistols typically sell in small numbers and at higher costs than regular firearms, manufacturers have found it cost prohibitive to sell them in Massachusetts.
Praise from the NRA: “This common-sense change to the law will enable target pistol manufacturers to do business in the state and allow enthusiasts to practice their sport.â€
Praise from the Gun Owner’s Action League of Massachusetts (GOAL) - The Official Firearms Association of Massachusetts: “We are pleased with the passage of yet another correction of Chapter 180 of the Acts of 1998, which created a confusing standard for acquiring a hunting, sporting, or fishing license.â€
#2:
Governor Mitt Romney signed legislation aimed at providing one clear definition of a leaded shotgun for the state’s hunting enthusiasts. For years, two competing definitions existed on the books, leaving law abiding gun owners wondering when and how they could enter or cross a public way with their firearms. Hunters now no longer face the lengthy, complex and unnecessary task of cleaning the barrel every time they encounter a public way, nor will they unknowingly violate the law by only removing a gun's priming device.
Praise from The Sportman’s Guide: “A state known for some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country has passed legislation making things simpler for hunters and gun owners, especially those who favor black powder firearms.â€
Praise from GOAL: On behalf of the lawful gun owners of the Commonwealth, I would like to thank Governor Romney and all who took part in the passage of this legislation. We have taken another important step in reforming the 1998 gun laws," said Jim Wallace, Executive Director of the Gun Owner's Action League.
#3:
On the 31st anniversary of the Gun Owner’s Action League, Governor Mitt Romney declared May 7, 2005 as The Right to Bear Arms Day in Massachusetts. In a statement, the Governor noted that GOAL and “its members are to be congratulated for their efforts, namely: to protect and defend the Constitution of the Commonwealth and the Constitution of the United States, particularly the right of decent, law-abiding citizens to own and use firearms in defense of their families, persons and property and for all lawful purposes including the common defense.â€
#4:
In 2005, Governor Mitt Romney suspended “administrative fees†to the National Heritage and Endangered Species Fund of Massachusetts.
John McCain on the 2nd Amendment
Trigger Lock Requirement:
On July 28, 2005, the Senate passed legislation requiring gun dealers to include the sale of a lock-up-your-safety device with every handgun sold. The amendment, offered by Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI), passed by a vote of 70-30. The provision amended the gun makers' protection act (S. 397)
McCain Voted: Anti-Gun
Ammunition Restriction Study
Senators Larry Craig (R-ID) and Bill Frist (R-TN) offered this amendment to S. 1805. Among other things, the language of this provision would commission the Attorney General to determine whether the ban on so-called "cop killer" ammunition should include superior performance bullets in popular hunting calibers such as the 30-06. The amendment passed the Senate 85-12 on March 2, 2004.
McCain Voted: Anti-Gun
McCain Gun Show Ban
Senator John McCain (R-AZ) offered a gun show amendment (to S. 1805) on March 2, 2004. His language would outlaw the private sale of firearms at gun shows, unless the buyer agrees to submit to a background registration check. Also, it could effectively eliminate gun shows because every member of an organization sponsoring a gun show could be imprisoned if the organization fails to notify each and every "person who attends the special firearms event of the requirements [under the Brady Law]." Thus, if the person responsible for handing out "Brady pamphlets" took a break to go to the bathroom, everyone responsible for the event could be sent to prison. The McCain amendment passed the Senate by a vote of 53-47.
McCain Voted: Anti-Gun
Feinstein Semi-auto Ban
On March 2, 2004, the Senate voted 52-47 in favor of the amendment offered by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). This amendment would extend the ban that was signed into law by President Clinton in 1994 -- a ban which outlaws certain magazines and more than 180 semi-automatic firearms. Without this legislative extension, the ban would sunset in September 2004. The Feinstein amendment passed as an amendment to S. 1805.
McCain Voted: Pro-Gun
Lock Up Your Safety Requirement
This amendment, offered by Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) on February 26, 2004, passed the Senate 70-27. This amendment would require all handgun purchasers to pay an implicit "gun tax" by requiring them to buy a trigger lock when they purchase their handgun, irrespective of need. In addition, the amendment would create a broad and implicit cause of action against gun owners who fail to actually use the storage device to lock up their firearms. Of course, a locked gun then becomes unavailable for self-defense. The Kohl amendment passed as an amendment to S. 1805.
McCain Voted: Anti-Gun
Flip-Flop on Background Checks: In 1999, John McCain voted NO on background checks at gun shows and in another bill that same year he voted to loosen license and background checks at gun shows. However, in 2001 he appeared in ads in Oregon and Colorado supporting ballot measures that would require background checks.
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act: McCain supported this bill which prohibits civil liability actions from being brought or continued against manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers of firearms or ammunition for damages resulting from the misuse of their products by others.
Brady Bill and Assault Weapons Ban: McCain opposed both
Gun Owner’s of American Ratings on John McCain:
2000 C--
2002 C--
2004 F--
2006 F--
NRA Rating (2004): C+
In 2001, CEO and Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre blasted Sen. John McCain for his position on McCain-Feingold, support for anti-gun groups, and co-sponsoring a bill with Senator Joe Lieberman that would ban private gun sales at gun shows unless a background check was completed. (May 19, 2001 – NewsMax.com)
LaPierre said McCain's new law would effectively shut the NRA out of the political system by not allowing independent groups from buying TV or radio ads 60 days before a general election.
He took the senator to task for appearing in public service commercials for a radical anti-gun group called Americans for Gun Safety.
-------------------------------------------
Mitt Romney on the 2nd Amendment
--POSITIVE--
Governor Romney is a strong supporter of the 2nd amendment and despite a heavily democratic anti-gun legislature has been able to work across the aisle to simplify and clarify gun laws in the state. For instance, he supported and signed into law legislation that clarified the term "loaded gun" so that hunters wouldn't have to unload their guns every time they crossed a public road in pursuit of game.
Actions Praised by Gun Owner’s:
#1:
In July of 2006, Governor Mitt Romney (R) signed H. 4552, which makes exemptions for the makers of customized target pistols, who, due to a provision within state law, have found it increasingly difficult to do business in Massachusetts. Prior to the signing of H. 4552, the law required firearm makers to test at least five examples of all new products “until destruction†in order to prevent accidental discharges. Since specialty target pistols typically sell in small numbers and at higher costs than regular firearms, manufacturers have found it cost prohibitive to sell them in Massachusetts.
Praise from the NRA: “This common-sense change to the law will enable target pistol manufacturers to do business in the state and allow enthusiasts to practice their sport.â€
Praise from the Gun Owner’s Action League of Massachusetts (GOAL) - The Official Firearms Association of Massachusetts: “We are pleased with the passage of yet another correction of Chapter 180 of the Acts of 1998, which created a confusing standard for acquiring a hunting, sporting, or fishing license.â€
#2:
Governor Mitt Romney signed legislation aimed at providing one clear definition of a leaded shotgun for the state’s hunting enthusiasts. For years, two competing definitions existed on the books, leaving law abiding gun owners wondering when and how they could enter or cross a public way with their firearms. Hunters now no longer face the lengthy, complex and unnecessary task of cleaning the barrel every time they encounter a public way, nor will they unknowingly violate the law by only removing a gun's priming device.
Praise from The Sportman’s Guide: “A state known for some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country has passed legislation making things simpler for hunters and gun owners, especially those who favor black powder firearms.â€
Praise from GOAL: On behalf of the lawful gun owners of the Commonwealth, I would like to thank Governor Romney and all who took part in the passage of this legislation. We have taken another important step in reforming the 1998 gun laws," said Jim Wallace, Executive Director of the Gun Owner's Action League.
#3:
On the 31st anniversary of the Gun Owner’s Action League, Governor Mitt Romney declared May 7, 2005 as The Right to Bear Arms Day in Massachusetts. In a statement, the Governor noted that GOAL and “its members are to be congratulated for their efforts, namely: to protect and defend the Constitution of the Commonwealth and the Constitution of the United States, particularly the right of decent, law-abiding citizens to own and use firearms in defense of their families, persons and property and for all lawful purposes including the common defense.â€
#4:
In 2005, Governor Mitt Romney suspended “administrative fees†to the National Heritage and Endangered Species Fund of Massachusetts.
John McCain on the 2nd Amendment
Trigger Lock Requirement:
On July 28, 2005, the Senate passed legislation requiring gun dealers to include the sale of a lock-up-your-safety device with every handgun sold. The amendment, offered by Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI), passed by a vote of 70-30. The provision amended the gun makers' protection act (S. 397)
McCain Voted: Anti-Gun
Ammunition Restriction Study
Senators Larry Craig (R-ID) and Bill Frist (R-TN) offered this amendment to S. 1805. Among other things, the language of this provision would commission the Attorney General to determine whether the ban on so-called "cop killer" ammunition should include superior performance bullets in popular hunting calibers such as the 30-06. The amendment passed the Senate 85-12 on March 2, 2004.
McCain Voted: Anti-Gun
McCain Gun Show Ban
Senator John McCain (R-AZ) offered a gun show amendment (to S. 1805) on March 2, 2004. His language would outlaw the private sale of firearms at gun shows, unless the buyer agrees to submit to a background registration check. Also, it could effectively eliminate gun shows because every member of an organization sponsoring a gun show could be imprisoned if the organization fails to notify each and every "person who attends the special firearms event of the requirements [under the Brady Law]." Thus, if the person responsible for handing out "Brady pamphlets" took a break to go to the bathroom, everyone responsible for the event could be sent to prison. The McCain amendment passed the Senate by a vote of 53-47.
McCain Voted: Anti-Gun
Feinstein Semi-auto Ban
On March 2, 2004, the Senate voted 52-47 in favor of the amendment offered by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). This amendment would extend the ban that was signed into law by President Clinton in 1994 -- a ban which outlaws certain magazines and more than 180 semi-automatic firearms. Without this legislative extension, the ban would sunset in September 2004. The Feinstein amendment passed as an amendment to S. 1805.
McCain Voted: Pro-Gun
Lock Up Your Safety Requirement
This amendment, offered by Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) on February 26, 2004, passed the Senate 70-27. This amendment would require all handgun purchasers to pay an implicit "gun tax" by requiring them to buy a trigger lock when they purchase their handgun, irrespective of need. In addition, the amendment would create a broad and implicit cause of action against gun owners who fail to actually use the storage device to lock up their firearms. Of course, a locked gun then becomes unavailable for self-defense. The Kohl amendment passed as an amendment to S. 1805.
McCain Voted: Anti-Gun
Flip-Flop on Background Checks: In 1999, John McCain voted NO on background checks at gun shows and in another bill that same year he voted to loosen license and background checks at gun shows. However, in 2001 he appeared in ads in Oregon and Colorado supporting ballot measures that would require background checks.
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act: McCain supported this bill which prohibits civil liability actions from being brought or continued against manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers of firearms or ammunition for damages resulting from the misuse of their products by others.
Brady Bill and Assault Weapons Ban: McCain opposed both
Gun Owner’s of American Ratings on John McCain:
2000 C--
2002 C--
2004 F--
2006 F--
NRA Rating (2004): C+
In 2001, CEO and Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre blasted Sen. John McCain for his position on McCain-Feingold, support for anti-gun groups, and co-sponsoring a bill with Senator Joe Lieberman that would ban private gun sales at gun shows unless a background check was completed. (May 19, 2001 – NewsMax.com)
LaPierre said McCain's new law would effectively shut the NRA out of the political system by not allowing independent groups from buying TV or radio ads 60 days before a general election.
He took the senator to task for appearing in public service commercials for a radical anti-gun group called Americans for Gun Safety.
NOT!
