Gun Groups May Not Be Bush Campaign Weapon

LA Slimes ^ | APril 13, 2004 | Eric Slater

[Atlas Sneezed]

... Four years later, some gun owners have grown so disenchanted with President Bush that they may cast a protest vote for a third-party candidate, stay away from the polls, or even back the likely Democratic nominee, gun-control advocate John F. Kerry.

It's unclear how many gun owners could be counted as activists, but they are affiliated with a variety of organizations, from the NRA and Gun Owners of America to smaller state and regional organizations around the country. And they could play a pivotal role in the outcome of this year's presidential race. ...

"It's not just gun rights for us, it's the Bill of Rights," said Angel Shamaya, executive director of KeepAndBearArms.com, which claims tens of thousands of supporters. "A lot of gun-rights advocates are from mildly upset to livid over President Bush and his administration." ...

[Atlas Sneezed]

Long, interesting article. (username "biased" password "biased")

[Conspiracy Guy]

That is a load of crap. Gun Owners will not throw their vote away on Nader. It is a stupid tactic that would get Kerry elected.

Most gun owners are not stupid.

[neverdem]

BANG

[Billthedrill]

Wishful thinking on the part of the delusional who don't understand either the issue or its pro-gun partisans.

[newgeezer]

(username "biased" password "biased")

Thanks. That helps!

[Poohbah]

Most gun owners are not stupid.

Needs a small edit:

Most gun owners who haven't killed themselves or a friend with a negligent discharge are not stupid.

[paul51]

This guy must have rocks in his head. He certainly isn't a gun owner

[newgeezer]

Although they traditionally back Republicans, several state and regional gun-rights groups — driven especially by opposition to the Patriot Act and other post-Sept. 11 measures — have grown so disillusioned by the Bush administration that they are openly discussing the potential benefits of voting for Kerry.

How many homo "gun-rights groups" are there?

[Atlas Sneezed]

Outline summary for the LA Slimes-averse:

In 2000, NRA supported Bush, promising an office inside the Whitehouse. Opposed Gore. Helped Bush win.

Now, Some pro gun voters feel let down by Bush, and may go 3rd party or Kerry. Could be critical to election.

Patriot Act and airport security also offensive to some. Unusual alliance with ACLU.

Bush may be better than Kerry on guns, but gun owners have lost enthusiasm and may stay home.

Bush support of indurtry liability protection is liked, but extension of AWB and not arming pilots is not.

NRA scolds Bush for silly airport security measures.

Vice President Dick Cheney to address NRA convention.

Bush cozying up with NRA, hunting group officials.

Bush spokesman: "President Bush has been a long, consistent 2nd Amendment supporter."

Lots of gun owners, 10m of whom vote based on the issue.

Gun owners big in swing states.
State gun groups are attacking RINOs on guns.

Discussion of recent Senate shenanigans re industry protection and AWB amendment.

Dems now considering benefits of pro-gun positions. (Kerry the pheasant hunter.)

The 2nd Amendment was not written to guarantee hunting rights.

Some groups call NRA too moderate (infighting).

Gridlock (Dem in WH, R congress) might be better to secure liberties.

Kopel: At least we aren't losing gun rights under Bush.

[Atlas Sneezed]

How many homo "gun-rights groups" are there?

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http://www.pinkpistols.org/

[miloklancy]

Gun owners will not abandon Bush. I don't think firearms enthusiasts trust Kerry and they know if he comes into office, the second ammendment will once again face an attack by the left.

[Monty22]

This gun supporter will be severely out of his mind if Bush signs a new AWB, and could possibly sit the election out. We'll see if he'll do that or not.

[Rightone]

Just ridiculous. Gun owners and gun groups will support President Bush close to 100%. No doubt about it.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Gun owners will not abandon Bush. I don't think firearms enthusiasts trust Kerry and they know if he comes into office, the second ammendment will once again face an attack by the left.

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This is addressed in the article by the activist they interviewed:

"Had the Clinton administration proposed the Patriot Act, which is a real scary thing for gun owners, the Republican-controlled Congress would have been apoplectic," said Starrett of the Oregon Firearms Federation.

"The Republicans aren't the saviors of gun owners. Sometimes we're better off when those two gangs are divided," he said.

[Mr. Mojo]

But it [the administration] also has repeatedly disappointed gun activists on other issues, from refusing to allow airline pilots to arm themselves to quietly supporting the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban.

Actually, Bush was upfront about supporting the ban before election 2000, so what are they disappointed about? We knew what we were getting.

[ArrogantBustard]

As I, and others, have made quite crystal clear on this forum:

If President Bush betrays us by signing an extension of the ugly-gun ban, or any other new gun control, he WILL lose our votes in November.

Guaranteed.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Gun owners and gun groups will support President Bush close to 100%.

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Wait for the comments here, but Mrs. B and I each were donors, volunteers and voters for Bush on 2000. This time, Mrs. B will vote 3rd party, and I might vote for Bush, but only if he does something to impress me. Which seems unlikely.

I've been stuffing the donation solicitations with comments on Bush selling us out on the AWB for a year.

I just have a hard time doing anything to help a guy who has sold out the Constitution, no matter how bad his opponent. If Gore had been elected, Congress would have read the Patriot act before passing it. CFR would not have passed, not would a host of other offenses. And the AWB sunset would be no less safe. (Bush means to SIGN the Clinton rifle ban permanently into law!)

[Atlas Sneezed]

Actually, Bush was upfront about supporting the ban before election 2000, so what are they disappointed about? We knew what we were getting.

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We assumed he was pandering to the soccer Moms, a mirror image of how Clinton and Kerry pretend to be pro-gun.

[Monty22]

There's a solid chance that it won't reach his desk. Then there's a chance it won't be the same AWB, and he'll veto (very small chance, I know).

Overall, our odds are still 50/50

[Atlas Sneezed]

There's a solid chance that it won't reach his desk. Then there's a chance it won't be the same AWB, and he'll veto (very small chance, I know).

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The same would have been (or would be) equally likely to be true about Gore or Kerry.