NRA disputes report that questions if Scott Walker is 'pure' on gun rights

Washington Examiner ^ | March 23, 2015 | Eddie Scarry

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bloomberg Politics is drawing fire from the National Rifle Association over a recent story claiming there is a potential rift between likely presidential candidate Scott Walker and the Second Amendment advocacy group.

A recent Bloomberg Politics article floated the idea that Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a likely presidential candidate as well as a favorite of gun rights activists, may not be as "pure" as other White House GOP hopefuls, citing a 1995 bill that failed in the Badger State's legislature. The NRA also says Bloomberg's reporter failed to contact the group for comment.

"Now that Walker is preparing to run for president — and seen by some as the early frontrunner for the Republican nomination — his flirtation with gun control could create an opportunity for competitors who have been more pure on the issue to question the depth of Walker's anti-gun-control beliefs," read the Saturday report by Bloomberg Politics Washington Bureau Chief Jonathan Allen.

The "flirtation with gun control" is a reference to a 1995 bill Walker co-sponsored as a member of the Wisconsin state legislature, according to the Bloomberg article. The bill would have made it illegal to buy and sell guns that don't have trigger locks.

After the National Rifle Association and gun-rights groups came out against the bill, Walker withdrew his support and it failed to pass.

The story notes that Walker has an A-plus rating from the National Rifle Association, but it still frames the 20-year-old issue as "an opportunity " for Walker's potential Republican rivals "who have been more pure on the issue to question the depth of Walker's anti-gun-control beliefs."

The Bloomberg article is one of the first to examine Walker's past legislative record and how it may impact his White House ambitions. Stories like this are becoming more common as the Republican presidential field forms.

Jennifer Baker, a spokeswoman for the National Rifle Association, said the Association is very fond of Walker.

"He's been so good for us on this issue," Baker said. She also said that Allen, the author of the story, did not contact the Association for comment.

"This is a story [Bloomberg] used our name in connection with and they never called us to find out," she said. "Scott Walker has been an unapologetic supporter of the Second Amendment and any attempt to say otherwise is dishonest and reeks of desperate politics."

The NRA endorsed Walker's successful reelection bid for governor in 2014 with a TV ad that said, "Protect your gun rights. Reelect Scott Walker."

A spokeswoman for Walker's political action committee Our American Revival said the Bloomberg piece appeared to be opposition research "stretching thin."

"The Bloomberg story is a reach focusing on one bill 20 years ago that he decided he could not support after learning more about it," she said. "The NRA gave him an A-plus rating the year before that, that very year, and A and A-plus ratings in subsequent years. This legislation is not something he was championing."

Allen did not return a request for comment.

[2ndDivisionVet]

But Jebbie and Krispy are just fine?

[entropy12]

All it means, they are afraid of Scott Walker, after what he did to them in Blue Wisconsin.

[Democrat_media]

Scott Walker has defeated democrats/communists more than anyone in history and he’s just getting started. He is the most impressive politician I’ve seen

Scott Walker has defeated democrats more than anyone to pass conservative laws, balance the budget, cut taxes, and turn a huge deficit into a surplus. Walker’s record is unmatched! . Actions and Results , and a conservative record as governor are what matter. Talk means nothing

[Democrat_media]

This is how the liberal media lie to plant these seeds with the purists . As if a liberal mag is interested in purity of conservatism in a candidate. So the liberal media lie to plant these seeds and the purists believe it

[Secret Agent Man]

Walker has had an issue to deal with.

Guns are not one ‘of them.

This is just political liberal press bs.

You have to discern the difference between a genuine problem and liberal bs.

[muir_redwoods]

Flak/target, etc.

[Erik Latranyi]

This is exactly the same story they used about illegal immigration against Walker. The council supported immigration reform and, in the end, Walker added “no amnesty” to it.

But the media did not write about Walker adding “no amnesty” to the resolution and we still have FReepers spreading the lie that Walker supports amnesty.

[trebb]

This is how the liberal media lie to plant these seeds with the purists . As if a liberal mag is interested in purity of conservatism in a candidate. So the liberal media lie to plant these seeds and the purists believe it

Yep - many right here on FR. Probably couldn't find a boil on their own butt but they can find the slightest possible flaw in perfectly good candidates - even flaws that don't exist...

Once they get their teeth into some of the faux flaws, they can't seem to release their jaws enough to get back in touch with reality - hence a second Obama term and the possibility they will help a Hillary.

Time for them to shut their traps and open their wallets if the really want Cruz - how many will begin to find fault in him as an excuse to hold onto their cash?????

[Zathras]

Lots of Republicans fell for the trigger locks bait in the ‘90s believing that this would put to end the 2nd Amendment fight.

[for-q-clinton]

Thank you for the past a few months ago some freeper told me he was not good for guns. This clears that lie up

[Balding_Eagle]

Same with Walker on ethanol;

Walker on ethanol, March 7, 2015

“While I do not support the mandate, I do not have a problem with ethanol...

However, it is clear to me that a big government mandate is not the way to support the farmers of this state...
Central planning will not help our family farmers, protect our environment, or provide jobs..

The free enterprise system must drive innovation to relieve our dependence on foreign oil, not mandates from the state or federal government.”

[Erik Latranyi]

Same with Walker on ethanol;

Exactly right. Walker laid out a comprehensive plan, that could win support from corn growing states, to phase out the ethanol subsidies and allow ethanol to openly compete in the free market with gasoline, diesel, CNG, etc.

But some FReepers only read the liberal media tagline "I do not have a problem with ethanol" and proclaimed Walker to be pro-ethanol.

Either these FReepers are stupid as paint or as dishonest as Obama.

[entropy12]

Either these FReepers are stupid as paint or as dishonest as Obama.

They are not necessarily stupid. They are most likely Santorumbots, Huckabeebots, Cruzbots, RandPaulbots, Jindalbots, Palinbots, Kasichbots, Trumpbots or any non-Walker-bots.

They are just trying to pull down Walker because he is leading in polls over their candidate. It is so transparent...just like the Obummer administration (sarc).