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To: WOSG

Can you back that with links?

I looked for a bit but could not find any.


17 posted on 12/06/2007 11:45:45 PM PST by Jet Jaguar (Who would the terrorists vote for?)
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To: Jet Jaguar

This has Romney’s gun issue details and a lot of links to sources on things. ... There is a direct link to NRA statement on the bill Romney signed in 2004.:

http://www.freerepublic.com/~UnmarkedPackage/#guns

No. Governor Romney has always supported the individual right to keep and bear arms. The firearms bills that Governor Romney signed into law (see below) were all endorsed by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and/or the Gun Owners’ Action League (GOAL), which bills itself as “The Official Firearms Association of Massachusetts.”

The NRA gave Mitt Romney a rating of ‘B’ in the 2002 election race for Governor of Massachusetts.
(Scott Helman, “Romney retreats on gun control,” The Boston Globe, 1/14/2007)

Craig Sandler, former Director of General Operations of the National Rifle Association and former Nashua Police Chief, endorses 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.”

Governor Romney On Parker v. District of Columbia:

Governor Romney: “It is my hope that the Supreme Court will reaffirm the individual right to keep and bear arms as enshrined in the Bill of Rights and protect law abiding gun owners everywhere. To further guard this fundamental liberty, as President, I will take care to appoint judges who will not legislate from the bench but will instead strictly interpret the Constitution.”
(Romney for President, “Governor Romney On The U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision To Review Second Amendment Case,” Press Release, 11/21/2007)

Question for Romney from Human Events editor Jed Babbin: Do you view the second amendment as vesting an individual right to keep and bear arms? I know the Supreme Court is about to consider the Parker v. District of Columbia case. Aside from the legalities: as you personally look at the Second Amendment, do you think that’s the right of the state or is that the right of the individual gun owner?

Governor Romney: “It’s the right of the individual. I believe that our Constitution vests in the citizens of the United States the right to bear arms, to have weapons for their personal protection, for hunting and for any legal and lawful purpose. I’d like to see our gun laws enforced, to see people who use guns in the committing of crimes in jail for a long time, but I believe that individuals have the right to bear arms, and any incursion on that right, I would find in violation of the constitution.”
(Editors of Human Events, “Romney’s Four Wedge Issues,” Human Events, 11/21/2007)

Governor Romney addressed the National Rifle Association in a videotaped message at the NRA’s “Celebration of American Values” in Washington, D.C. on 9/21/2007. Gov. Romney discussed his position and record in support of the Second Amendment and his intent to oppose McCain-Feingold legislation, liberal judicial activism and tort claims being used to erode our 2nd Amendment rights. Must See Mitt TV!

Despite a heavily Democratic anti-gun Legislature in Massachusetts, Gov. Romney signed a NRA-backed bill in 2006 (H. 4552) that reduced a testing requirement on certain pistol-makers before they could sell guns in Massachusetts. The Gun Owners’ Action League praised Gov. Romney for his support of H. 4552.

“Target shooters are an important part of our membership and I know they will be very pleased with this change,” said James Wallace, Executive Director of the Gun Owners’ Action League.
(Office of Gov. Mitt Romney, “Governor Romney Approves Exemption for Target Pistols,” Press Release, 7/26/2006)

Governor Mitt Romney signed legislation aimed at providing one clear definition of a loaded shotgun or rifle for the state’s hunting enthusiasts. For years, two competing definitions had existed on the books, leaving law abiding gun owners wondering when and how they can enter or cross a public way with their firearms.

“On behalf of the lawful gun owners of the Commonwealth, I would like to thank Governor Romney and all who took part in the passage of this legislation. We have taken another important step in reforming the 1998 gun laws,” said Jim Wallace, Executive Director of the Gun Owners’ Action League. “This new law addresses a conflict that had previously caused great concern in those who use traditional muzzle loading rifles and shotguns. Now they confidently know what is expected of them and can enjoy their heritage without the fear of being prosecuted for violating a poorly written law.”
(”Massachusetts Clarifies Muzzleloader Law,” Buckmasters, 11/22/2005)

Gov. Romney signed legislation requiring all new hunters to take a hunter education course. The measure had the strong support of sportsmen and gun owners.

“We are pleased with the passage of yet another correction of Chapter 180 of the Acts of 1998, which created a confusing standard for acquiring a hunting, sporting or fishing license,” said James Wallace, GOAL’s executive director. “Prior to the passage of this law some eight years ago, hunter education was mandatory for all first time hunters. While GOAL does not normally support mandatory training, it is our belief that every first time hunter should be exposed to the ethics, safety aspects and laws in Massachusetts regarding hunting before taking to the field for the first time.”
(Office of Gov. Mitt Romney, “Romney Signs Legislation to Promote Hunter Safety,” Press Release, 7/06/2006)

On the 31st anniversary of the Gun Owners’ Action League, Governor Romney declared May 7, 2005 as “The Right to Bear Arms Day” in Massachusetts to honor “the right of decent, law-abiding citizens to own and use firearms in defense of their families, persons, and property and for all lawful purposes, including the common defense.”
(Scott Helman, “Romney retreats on gun control,” The Boston Globe, 1/14/2007)

Opponents of gun control and critics of Governor Romney point to the fact that he signed firearms legislation in July, 2004 that included a ban of assault weapons in Massachusetts (S.2367). However, the bill only reaffirmed an existing Massachusetts state ban on assault weapons that was enacted as part of sweeping gun control laws passed in Massachusetts in 1998, five years before Romney took office, and didn’t ban any additional guns. The state ban of assault weapons enacted in 1998 was not due to disappear, nor would it have become invalid with the sunset of the federal ban in September, 2004.
(National Rifle Association - Institute for Legislative Action, “Massachusetts - Firearms Reform Bill Sent to the Governor`s Desk,” Press Release, 6/29/2004)

The firearms reform bill signed by Governor Romney in 2004 had the endorsement of the NRA (a MUST READ), the Gun Owners’ Action League, law enforcement and Massachusetts gun owners. The bill added several measures these groups favored, including a lengthening of the terms of firearm identification cards and licenses to carry, namely;

1) Extending the term of a firearm identification card and a license to carry firearms from four years to six years,
2) Granting a 90-day grace period for holders of firearm identification cards and licenses to carry who have applied for renewal, and
3) Creating a seven-member Firearm License Review Board to review firearm license applications that have been denied.

“This is truly a great day for Massachusetts’ sportsmen and women. These reforms correct some serious mistakes that were made during the gun debate in 1998, when many of our state’s gun owners were stripped of their long-standing rights to own firearms.”
(MA State Senator Stephen M. Brewer (D), Press Release, 7/01/2004)

“I want to congratulate everyone that has worked so hard on this issue. Because of their dedication, we are here today to sign into law this consensus piece of legislation. This change will go a long way toward fixing the flaws created by the 1998 law. Another key piece to this legislation addresses those citizens who have applied for renewals. If the government does not process their renewal in a timely fashion, those citizens won’t be put at risk because of the 90 day grace period that is being adopted today.”
(MA State Representative George N. Peterson, Jr. (R), Press Release, 7/01/2004)

“There are a lot of good things in the bill,” said Jim Wallace, legislative director of the Gun Owners’ Action League, the state’s leading pro-gun group. “In all, the bill represents a healing process, or the beginning of the healing process, between lawful gun owners and the Massachusetts Legislature.”
(Scott S. Greenberger, “State moves on assault weapons ban,” The Boston Globe, 6/24/2004)

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. The bill was passed in the Senate by a vote of 36 - 1 in favor and the House passed it with no amendments or debate on a “voice” vote. This represented by far the broadest support a reform bill has ever seen in the Massachusetts State House. Only one legislator in the entire building voiced opposition to the bill.

Mitt Romney joined the NRA in August, 2006 and signed up for a lifetime membership. Romney said of the NRA, “I think they’re doing good things, and I believe in supporting the right to bear arms.”
(George Stephanopoulos, “Mitt Romney: The Complete Interview,” ABC News This Week, 2/18/2007)


46 posted on 12/07/2007 11:28:00 AM PST by WOSG (Pro-life, pro-family, pro-freedom, pro-strong defense, pro-GWOT, pro-capitalism)
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