Posted on 06/06/2015 4:33:52 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) plans to take one lucky supporter with him on an upcoming "shooting excursion" as part of a recently launched fundraiser and sweepstakes for his presidential campaign. But there's a catch: the winner may have to endure a background check first.
The caveat is an interesting one given that Cruz helped lead the effort to defeat a 2013 bill that would have expanded background checks for gun sales nationwide. The bill, which was championed by President Obama in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, ultimately went down after an intense lobbying effort from pro-gun groups.
In an interview with TPM on Friday afternoon, Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler defended the contest's background check requirement and said it was "not inconsistent" with the senator's track record.
Tyler said Cruz had not taken issue with current system of background checks, but specifically opposed the 2013 bill, which would have imposed them on sales between private individuals.
Still, the background check for the contest may come as a surprise to some of Cruz's supporters.
It didn't appear on the entry page for the "Shoot With Cruz" contest when TPM viewed it on Friday or in an email about the contest that the campaign sent to supporters this week. (Sign up before June 10!)
It did appear, however, deep in the fine print for the contest, which was located on a separate page on the site. The same page defined the "sponsor" of the contest as "Cruz For President."
Promotion Rules. One (1) potential winner will be selected by a random drawing from all eligible entries to be held at the Cruz for President headquarters on Thursday, June 11, 2015. Sponsor may, at its option, conduct a background check on each potential winner. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any potential winner from receiving the Prize based on such background check if Sponsor determines, in its sole discretion that awarding the Prize to such potential winner could result in a safety or security risk to any person or persons or could result in the disruption of any event associated with the Promotion. Sponsor will, in its sole discretion, then select one (1) winner from the list of eligible potential winners on the basis of criteria determined and applied by Sponsor to provide for an appropriate range of views, backgrounds, and interests among the winners selected.
Although Cruz has used the contest as a fundraiser for low-dollar donors, the rules made clear no donation was required to enter. But they also said the campaign has no plans to pay the full fare for the winner.
"Winner will be responsible for securing all required licenses and for costs of transportation to attend the shooting excursion," the rules said, "including, but not limited to ground transportation, airfare, personal charges at lodging, telecommunications charges, security fees, taxes, or other expenses or incidentals are the responsibility solely of the winner."
Cruz's spokesman said the fine print regarding background checks was written so the contest would abide by the law.
"The language in the contest rules is written to be in compliance of various state laws, because some states would require background checks on a contest like this," Tyler said.
However, he added, he could not specify which laws, as they were not in front of him.
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Given the rabid hate from the left, it’s a good idea.
Doesn’t bother me, after all it just took one nutjob to take out Chris Kyle.
Certainly a prudent move. Don’t Presidential candidates have security assigned to them? This would be standard operating procedure.
There is a huge difference between a background check to exercise a God-given and constitutionally-protected right and a background check to shoot with the most qualified presidential candidate in many years. The liberals are using their usual “hypocrisy” accusation, but as usual, it’s disingenuous and dishonest.
Sounds like its a legal requirement anyway.
Had Zer0 actually have ever fired a gun, and reached out to gun owners like this in 2008, other than try to disarm them, he would have done the same.
Look for this to be front page news in tbe NY Times.
This isn’t a MANDATORY check to own a gun, it is a voluntary check to shoot with Cruz.
Smart move.
Apparently, the guy that shot Chris never was in combat.
I was thinking the same thing, and that was somebody he knew. It’s foolish to arrange a shooting outing with a stranger. Quite different from finding strangers at the same range.
Just to rule out convicted felons.
Lord knows there are enough of those running around in both parties to know you need to be careful.
When I saw President Bush in a CPAC Event years ago, I had to have a Background Check done by the Secret Service.
“Curses,” said Hillary, slamming her gun safe shut. “He’s smarter than Vince, at least.”
Ted Cruz is not the government.
You want to enter his contest, then you have to follow his rules.
As we know, controversial candidates are targets, so as with the president’s bodyguard, we aren’t talking about the American culture and the right to own weapons. We’re talking about a person who is a particular target.
Pamela Geller, also. She should be able to say what she wants, but it isn’t the government that’s targeting her. Because of that, it’s her responsibility to keep security at the top of her agenda..
No, presidential candidates don’t receive Secret Service protection until they’re the party nominee, except in special cases. Senator Cruz has bodyguards, but they are presumably paid for with campaign funds.
A very smart move..otherwise you might have someone pretending to be a supporter, gets close enough to him and shoots him..you have to do a very thorough background check because you just never know
If you do, take a Marlin 60.
Had to sell mine, along with a sweet Winchester shotgun, because there “are children in the house” to quote my first wife. Got next to nothing for them.
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