What does Scott Brown victory mean for gun owners?

Gun Rights Examiner ^ | 20 January, 2010 | David Codrea

[marktwain]

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola) Related Articles

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The national political landscape has been (apparently) shaken by Republican Scott Brown's improbable U.S. Senate victory over Democrat Martha Coakley in Massachussetts. Amidst the cheering and congratulations, we gun owners need to ask ourselves what this means as far as our right to keep and bear arms is concerned.

True, Coakley is a committed enemy of that. Here's what the Bradys had to say:

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence today endorsed Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley in the special election for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by the late Edward M. Kennedy, calling her election critical because her opponent has become beholden to the National Rifle Association and other gun extremists.

So how beholden and extreme is Scott Brown? From "On the Issues":

* Rep. Brown indicated he supports the following principles concerning gun issues:Allow citizens to carry concealed guns. * Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns. * Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows. * Require a license for gun possession.

Source: Massachusetts State Legislative Election 2002 NPAT Nov 1, 2002

The last three points are identical to the Brady's "extreme" position. Brown evidently has evolved and come around in the past eight years, but I confess I'm in the dark on this, as I don't know why Gun Owners Action League felt he merited an "A+" rating. Perhaps someone can enlighten us all with documentation that either his former positions were inaccurately stated or he's since repudiated them.

[Still Thinking]

But the Dems cannot now do anything so extreme that it would provoke all 41 Republicans to vote against cloture. It forces moderation and even gridlocks some bills.

[ConservativeWarrior]

Any one who downplays the significance of the Brown victory is a Democratic plant on here!

His victory should not be downplayed. It was a tremendous win.

At the same time, he shouldn't be adopted as the new brand of GOP conservatism.

I agree with the popular sediment that as far as MA goes, baby steps are called for. (though I characterize his victory as a whole as more of a large stride.)

[ConservativeWarrior]

Any one who downplays the significance of the Brown victory is a Democratic plant on here!

His victory should not be downplayed. It was a tremendous win.

At the same time, he shouldn't be adopted as the new brand of GOP conservatism.

I agree with the popular sediment that as far as MA goes, baby steps are called for. (though I characterize his victory as a whole as more of a large stride.)

[ConservativeWarrior]

Senator Brown probably has the same situation in Massachusetts.

Probably. You may recall that there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth on FR when Dubya said he'd sign the AWB renewal if it made it to his desk. He knew the GOP-controlled congress wouldn't let that happen.

That's politics. Many 2A supporters wanted him to come out and say "no way, no how," but he chose to achieve the same means without expending additional political capital.

[Ditter]

Scott Brown got donations from all over the US. I sent him $250. from Texas and I had never heard of him before. He has to know, maybe better than any other political how much the country as a whole hates nObama’s plans for us, not just healthcare but gun control as well.

We all need to be aware when someone is running against a lib in any state for the house or senate and give what we can to help that person defeat the democrat.

[Wildbill22]

“Miss me yet” (GWB)

-Man, you have no idea...

[Shooter 2.5]

Baby steps in the right direction.