Its unfortunate he’s lined up for AWB. You may want to consider some MITTigating factors on the topic: every gun bill Gov Mitt Romney signed in Mass was NRA supported. He supported continuing an AWB that was already in place and which in Massachusetts was not going away anyway. NRA gave Romney a B grade in 2002, taking into account his positions overall.
Mitt Romney has said: “Americans should have the right to own and possess firearms as guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. I’m proud to be among the many decent, law-abiding men and women who safely use firearms.”
The firearms reform bill signed in 2004 prohibited the sale of the same weapons in Massachusetts banned in the 1998 legislation but loosened other restrictions imposed by the 1998 gun bill. Therefore, after Governor Romney signed the gun bill in 2004, gun owners in Massachusetts had fewer restrictions on gun ownership than at any time since 1998.
Craig Sandler, former Director of General Operations of the National Rifle Association and former Nashua Police Chief, endorsed Governor Mitt Romney for President. In endorsing Governor Romney, Craig Sandler said, “Throughout his career in both the public and private sectors, Mitt Romney has demonstrated exceptional leadership ability, integrity, and commitment to principle. As a New Hampshire resident, former law enforcement officer, and avid sportsman, I am supporting Governor Romney because he is the candidate who will protect our Constitutional rights and strengthen our nation.”
The NRA myth/fact on the bill:
http://www.nraila.org//Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=1149
“Myth: Some headlines claimed that the legislature voted to expand the ban on the sale of the same 19 guns that the federal government has banned.
Fact: The guns are already banned in Massachusetts . The legislature only voted to clarify the definition of so-called “assault weapons,” but made no changes to the number of guns included.
Myth: The gun ban was extended.
Fact: Our state`s gun ban was not due to disappear, nor will it become invalid if the federal ban sunsets in September.
Myth: The legislature somehow “won over” gun-rights supporters by including reforms.
Fact: NRA and Gun owners` Action League (GOAL) had made it very clear to the legislature that we would not give up any ground. NRA and GOAL supported this bill because it did not ban any guns, and because it made much-needed reforms.
* “By making this common-sense change to the law we will enable target pistol manufacturers to do business in our state and allow enthusiasts to practice the sport they love.” - Governor Mitt Romney, 07-01-2004 Press Release
Did he , or did he not ,come out in favor of AWB-2 in one of the recent Republican debates ?
I believe he did , and if he did , that completely negates what he did in Mass out of necessity . He’s out of Mass and has not come out in opposition to AWB-2 , which is an absolutley horrible gun ban . True AW’s are already highly regulated .
An answer to this would be greatly appreciated .