Open letter to Herman Cain on the right to keep and bear arms

Examiner ^ | June 10, 2011 | David Codrea

[Jack Black]

Dear Mr. Cain,

Many conservatives have been touting your candidacy for president as cause for great hope that they will be able to support someone who understands limited government and freedom. That’s why your answers to Wolf Blitzer’s questions on gun control (see sidebar video player at 3:04 mark) have raised concerns among right to keep and bear arms advocates.

Specifically, you affirmed your belief that “states or local government [should] be allowed to control guns.” That's the same "home rule" position advocated by the Brady Campaign.

Some in the conservative camp are trying to find excuses for you, telling us not to panic and that you “slipped up a bit.” Some, hopeful for your candidacy, urge us to cut you some slack and give you an opportunity to clarify what you meant.

[New Jersey Realist]

Oh, by the way, Cain said he “owns six guns and that ain’t enough.” Dimowits are one issue voters (abortion) and I didn’t think I’d see such hatred here for a good man like Cain.

[Las Vegas Ron]

and I didn’t think I’d see such hatred here for a good man like Cain.

That's the way I feel. I didn't think I'd ever see anyone on this forum championing back round checks and gun registration.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Actually, he’s right in a way. This is because there is more to guns than just personal ownership.

Right now, States are asserting that guns and ammunition *manufactured* in their State, and solely for use in their State, are outside of federal jurisdiction.

“States or local government [should] be allowed to control guns.”

At the State level, for example, there should be regulations that guns and ammo must be made to some quality standard, so they don’t blow up and injure the user. There are also regulations that guns cannot be sold to felony criminals and the insane. Likewise, States and municipalities can determine where shooting is permitted or prohibited for safety reasons. Owning is not the same as using.

There are also rules for the safe storage of ammo, and its proximity to compressed gases, solvents and fuels, paints, etc. States might even set up proper disposal rules for discarded guns and ammo.

Perhaps his error is in calling it “gun control”, but the confusion would exist just the same with other expressions.

[stuartcr]

If you ask enough people, you’ll just about always find someone that hates someone else.

[New Jersey Realist]

I didn’t think I’d ever see anyone on this forum championing back round checks and gun registration.

---

Then how do you stop illegals and criminals from buying a gun?

[Las Vegas Ron]

I must have missed the part in the 2nd Amendment where it says "except for" after "shall not be infringed".

Back round checks do not verify Citizenship status so that part of your argument is moot.

[RobbyS]

We fought a war to keep the states from seceding from the Union. You evidently subscribe th a notion that even Lincoln opposed, which is that the states committed suicide, that they actually left the union and thereby lost all sovereign rights. No, the agreed upon theory was that the states were held captive by rebel governments. The 13th amendment limited itself to the abolition of ONE right, the right to establish slavery or anything similar. The 14th Amendment brought all citizens the protection of the Federal Government and equity inside the states. The 15th amendment limited the states' power to decide who can vote.

[Pan_Yan]

Does anyone have a detailed plan for stopping Iran from getting the bomb? If so they are keeping really quiet about it.

[Rudder]

When Cain outlines the big picture, I'm very impressed by what he says. But when he starts to go into details, I'm not so impressed.

I watched O'Reilly-Cain on Fox and winced when Iran came up: Cain stammered and BOR pressed hard for elaboration...Cain was shooting from the hip, as if he had never pondered the question, reflexively confabulating an answer...he got stuck.

Does this gaffe hurt Cain? ---Hell yes, it does.

Maybe he needs more thorough preparation in a studio with the Kleig lights on, etc., and someone like Marine Drill Instructor R. Lee Emery to fire tough questions...

[from occupied ga]

Then how do you stop illegals and criminals from buying a gun?

Why should you want to? Nothing in the 2nd amend about citizens only. Send 'em back - sure, but whether ot not they can buy a gun should be irrelevant

[American Dream 246]

TARP
the right of return
Iran vs. energy independence
appointing a Muslim to his cabinet
food stamps
gun control & 2nd Amendment rights
foreign policy position.

Not ready now to hold higher office. Good radio host and good talker though.

[Brookhaven]

Herman Cain's downfall on this issue (and others) is that he actually knows what he's talking about, and takes it for granted others know also.

States clearly have the right to regulate firearms in some fashion:

• the issuance of licenses
• ban the purchase of firearms by felons
• ban the purchase of firearms by the insane
• regulation of dealers (in the same way a grocery is regulated on the sale of food)
• regulation of the types of weapons that may be possesed in a state (is a ban on bazoka ownership an infringement on the 2nd amendment?)

We may not agree on every state regulation (I know I don't), but that doesn't mean there aren't some areas where a state does have some legitimate control.

The 2nd amendment says: "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

It does not say: A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the government shall pass no law that has anything to do with firearms.

Can a state can pass laws that regulate guns within their state that doesn't infringe on the 2nd amendment rights? If they can (even in the slightest, most insignificant way), then you've established that states can "control" guns.

The question then becomes how much control is allowed under the 2nd amendment. I happen to think we've gone way too far to the left in this country--the founders envisioned owning a gun to be as common as owning a horse; on the other hand, I don't think it's accurate to say the founders envisioned states having absolute zero say as to firearms within the state's boarders.

I there anyone here willing to say state laws against owning a bazoka or the criminally insane from owning a gun is an infringement on their 2nd amendment right to bear arms? If not, then you are admiting (publicly) that there is a state right to gun control.

Cain's position seemed pretty clear. He strongly supports the right to bear arms and doesn't believe the federal government should be regulating arms, but understands there is some ability for states to regulate arms.

www.nerds4cain.com

[American Dream 246]

Why is that hate if we don’t agree with him? I like the guy -I just think he is ..learning on the job right now - gaffe after gaffe. Not good enough to save America. This election is way too important to test another inexperienced guy. Has nothing to do with hate.

[justsaynomore]

Wow, I see the Herman Derangement Syndrome is out in full force.

I listened that interview and without a doubt the author of this article is twisting Herman Cain’s words. Mr. Cain never said or even hinted that states could override the 2nd amendment!!!

There is plenty of evidence out there of Herman Cain’s support of 2nd amendment rights that the posters on this thread are choosing to ignore.

His speech at the NRA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kplLAcpJtbw&feature=player_embedded

The Ron Paul attacks don’t surprise me, but it’s sad to see the Palin supporters using the same tactics against Cain that liberals have been using against Palin.

[Las Vegas Ron]

I'm not sure why you are addressing that to me as I have not stated an opinion on Cain either way. I like Cain though I very disappointed with his view on the 2nd A. He seemed to contradict himself in his support and then says States can regulate guns....I wish he would clarify.

I still haven't made up my mind yet as to who is my pick, thankfully there is still time to see how things pan out. I agree with you on the importance of this election and I really really hope that I don't have to go to the polls, again, holding my nose like I did last time.

[American Dream 246]

I apologize..I should have put All :-) I just wanted to point out that critics does not mean hate. It’s a very important difference so please everybody, let’s be able to talk about someone and his/her weaknesses without being called haters.

[Las Vegas Ron]

No worries!

I agree with your post, it is about near impossible around here lately to have a conversation with out being labeled something.

[Ratman83]

We will seee if he comes back after studying on this one, but what he said in the interview was not good.

[FreeReign]

We fought a civil war over the notion of states rights overriding individual rights. That's why we have the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution.

Exactly right.

If Cain wishes to return to the days of pre incorporation of the BOR, why doesn't he come out and say so?

Or is he just fumbling around?

[Ratman83]

Do you also support that felons can not go to church, write letter, recieve a trial after conviction. Should we be able to execute someone for stealing gum. How can you take away someones rights and still say they are free. How can a convict have any rights.