Every thing to lose, nothing to gain.
He could have offered an olive branch without beating himself with it.
Poor judgement on the part of the hacks that advise him like the time he teamed up publicly with MZ Bradey on the "Anti Assault" weapons bill.
I suppose you have a source for that misstatement?
"This election matters because George Allen says it's okay to bring deadly weapons into recreation centers," said Mrs. Brady. "How can allowing firearms into recreation centers keep our children safe? If George Allen wants to send guns into recreation centers in Virginia, I can't imagine what he will do for our country. Chuck Robb, on the other hand, shows tremendous leadership when he stands up to the gun lobby and he does so time after time."
Sarah Brady in a 2000 Press Release.
P8riot posted a good summary of the FACTS about George Allen's 2nd Amendment position here.