Posted on 11/07/2008 10:02:32 PM PST by Red Steel
On November 7, the New York Times reported that "sales of handguns, rifles and ammunition have surged in the last week, according to gun store owners across the nation who describe a wave of buyers concerned that an Obama administration will curtail their right to bear arms."
Buyers were stocking up on guns because during his time as an Illinois state senator, Obama earned a reputation as being as virulently antigun as one can get. Rich Pearson, longtime chief lobbyist for the Illinois State Rifle Association, released an open letter to sportsmen in October about Obama, saying, "I lobbied Barack Obama extensively while he was an Illinois State Senator. As a result of that experience, I know Obama's attitudes towards guns and gun owners better than anyone. The truth be told, in all my years in the Capitol I have never met a legislator who harbors more contempt for the law-abiding firearm owner than Barack Obama."
Pearson went on: "While a state senator, Obama voted for a bill that would ban nearly every hunting rifle, shotgun and target rifle owned by Illinois citizens.... Obama supported a bill that would shut down law-abiding firearm manufacturers including Springfield Armory."
Gun buyers also bought guns as investments, as hedges against turbulent economic times.
But despite the fact that Obama's recent pro-gun rhetoric is obviously blatantly false, should Americans worry that Obama will take away their firearms? In my opinion: not just yet. To even contemplate such an action, Obama would either have to be sure that he had nothing to lose (the be-all and end-all of most politicians' lives) or be sure that it would succeed with little political fallout for the Democratic Party. If nothing else, Obama is, after all, very politically savvy.
In recent years, attacking the Second Amendment has largely fallen out of favor at the federal level because the topic has been like kryptonite for most politicians: even approaching the subject leads to becoming a political dead duck in the next election (unless one hails from a big city and is immune). Obama would likely have trouble getting a gun-ban bill through even a Democrat-packed House.
That's not to say that all is roses on the gun front with Obama as commander in chief. As Obama tries to live up to his many very expensive campaign promises, he'll need to get the money to pay for his plans from somewhere, and a large tax increase on guns and ammunition is probable. Also, if Obama were to get reelected, it is conceivable that toward the end of his second term, he may be willing to expend the remainder of any political capital he has left in twisting Democrats arms to ban guns. Such a scenario could also play out toward the end of Obama's first term if he and fellow Democrats so ruin the economy that they stand little chance of getting a second term — there is one's legacy to look out for after all. Only time will tell, but for now, look for new taxes to come down the pipe — and maybe just stock up a little.
do Obama and Democrats have any respect for the rule of law and the 2nd amendment?
do they know what the 2nd amendment says? Do they remember that the Supreme Court ruled that the 2nd amendment means exactly what it says?
Or do liberals/radicals/leftists only sign on to court orders that they want, such as court orders for homosexual marriage?
MOLON LABE is the correct answer.
When guns are outlawed, only the boyz in the hood will have guns ...
The Second Amendment was written for those who don't understand that. You know, like Barack Obama.
“When guns are outlawed, only the boyz in the hood will have guns”
Wanna bet?
So I don't need to go on a gun shopping spree for a few years? Feh! I'm going out this weekend.
The biggest threat is another assault weapons ban, this time permanent. That's fueling the fire. Prices on ARs, etc, have skyrocketed. I'm heading to the Wananmacher show tomorrow and will have a little bit better idea.
My personal feeling, however, is that it's much ado about nothing. The gun owning people of the United States are not like the sheeple of Chicago.
Got’ a find them first before he can take them away from me.
I think in the short term you are right. I do think that a high profile gun crime might let Obama ramrod restrictive legislation through the Congress.
Any citizen thinking of getting that rifle or handgun might want to consider sooner as opposed to later.
.
Doing some serious ammunition shopping tomorrow!
First, is the Obama strategy...a 17-member group from Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Colombia...who will advise the president on how to deal with guns. He’ll find 17 guys who have never touched a gun in their life but are prepared to study the problem.
This analysis will takes months...if not years. When they finally deliver their product...then the gleeful senate and house...on their own turf...will toss the plan and discuss their own strategy. Since these are democrats mostly in charge...assume one and only one significant change....a gun tax or a bullet tax. Even if they toss on a $200 federal excise tax on each weapon over $500...it really doesn’t change much of anything. Same for bullets. Life goes on.
Remember...this is the one guy who accomplished virtually nothing in the Illinois senate and barely did anything for two years in the US senate. There is a trend here. Its the senate and house that will take action...and taxes are the likely tool. Since folks won’t register them...even if ordered to...a tax will be the perfect answer in their minds. And here is the best part...the criminals who buy their weapon from Joe the Local Gun Dealer...won’t pay a dime in taxes. Thats the beauty of these idiots and their strategies.
It's not up to him.
If he comes for my firearms, I'll take said document and roll it up real tight and insert it in him.
Obama has no choice in the matter.
You are absolutely right.
It is up to us who we let take our guns.......or who we do not.
Will Obama Disobey The Bill of Rights To The Constitution Of The United States?
There is no "letting us keep our guns".
Shall. Not. Be. Infringed.
I agree. It took the Dems 12 years to regain Congress after being routed in '94 over guns. I don't think they're in a hurry to repeat this fiasco. The gun-control voters represent a small percentage of democrats. Gun control measures are net vote losers that do nothing to stop crime and the Dems know this. Obama may enact some toothless, symbolic piece of legislation just to throw them a bone and keep them happy but he knows damn well that he won't get anything done if he loses Congress over guns. Clinton learned this the hard way.
I'm honestly not too worried about my guns this time around. I hope I don't come to regret these sentiments.
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