I’ve already covered here at length Obama’s disturbing, anti-democratic attempt to game law reviews in an attempt to sway judicial rulings against the “individual rights” (plain text / intentional) interpretation of the Second Amendment.
Following up on that, here is the text of an open letter to the nation’s hunters and sportsmen issued by Illinois State Rifle Association Executive Director Richard Pearson. All of the emphases will be mine:
Fellow Sportsman,Hello, my name is Rich Pearson and I have been active in the firearm rights movement for over 40 years. For the past 15 years, I have served in the Illinois state capitol as the chief lobbyist for the Illinois State Rifle Association.
I lobbied Barack Obama extensively while he was an Illinois State Senator. As a result of that experience, I know Obama’s attitudes toward 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 does Barack Obama.
Although Obama claims to be an advocate for the 2nd Amendment, his voting record in the Illinois Senate paints a very different picture. While a state senator, Obama voted for a bill that would ban nearly every hunting rifle, shotgun and target rifle owned by Illinois citizens. That same bill would authorize the state police to raid homes of gun owners to forcibly confiscate banned guns. Obama supported a bill that would shut down law-abiding firearm manufacturers including Springfield Armory, Armalite, Rock River Arms and Les Baer. Obama also voted for a bill that would prohibit law-abiding citizens from purchasing more than one gun per month.
Without a doubt, Barack Obama has proven himself to be an enemy of the law abiding firearm owner. At the same time, Obama has proven himself to be a friend to the hardened criminal. While a state senator, Obama voted 4 times against legislation that would allow a homeowner to use a firearm in defense of home and family.
Does Barack Obama still sound to you like a “friend” of the law-abiding gun owner?
And speaking of friends, you can always tell a person by the company they keep. Obama counts among his friends the Rev. Michael Pfleger — a renegade Chicago priest who has openly called for the murder of gun shop owners and pro-gun legislators. Then there is his buddy Richard Daley, the mayor of Chicago who has declared that if it were up to him, nobody would be allowed to own a gun. And let’s not forget Obama’s pal George Soros — the guy who has pumped millions of dollars into the UN’s international effort to disarm law-abiding citizens.
Obama has shown that he is more than willing to use other people’s money to fund his campaign to take your guns away from you. While a board member of the leftist Joyce Foundation, Barack Obama wrote checks for tens of millions of dollars to extremist gun control organizations such as the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence and the Violence Policy Center.
Does Barack Obama still sound to you like a “friend” of the law-abiding gun owner?
By now, I’m sure that many of you have received mailings from an organization called “American Hunters and Shooters Association(AHSA)” talking about what a swell fellow Obama is and how he honors the 2nd Amendment and how you will never have to worry about Obama coming to take your guns. Let me make it perfectly clear – everything the AHSA says about Obama is pure hogwash. The AHSA is headed by a group of left-wing elitists who subscribe to the British view of hunting and shooting. That is, a state of affairs where hunting and shooting are reserved for the wealthy upper-crust who can afford guided hunts on exclusive private reserves. The AHSA is not your friend, never will be.
In closing, I’d like to remind you that I’m a guy who has actually gone nose to nose with Obama on gun rights issues. The Obama I know cannot even begin to identify with this nation’s outdoor traditions. The Obama I know sees you, the law abiding gun owner, as nothing but a low-class lummox who is easily swayed by the flash of a smile and a ration of rosy rhetoric. The Obama I know is a stony-faced liar who has honed his skill at getting what he wants – so long as people are willing to give it to him. That’s the Barack Obama I know. The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Founded in 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of millions of law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.
In Obama’s America, even the lowest — the rural or suburban gun owner — shall be lifted up by force of his benevolence.
And to aid in that new consciousness raising, Obama will stack the courts with judges who will make sure that those who continue to cling to their God and their guns are encouraged to think and act “progressively.”
Even if that means a kind of tough love — like authorizing his new federalized police force to raid the homes of gun owners and confiscate their weapons, or criminalizing the use of firearms in defense of one’s home or family.
Such an authoritarian — and, frankly, unconstitutional — strategy is of the kind that has proven disastrous in places like Great Britain.
The difference being that here, at least, we are guaranteed the right to bear arms — and should be guaranteed to right to use those arms to defend our property and families.
Instead, that kind of self-sufficiency is precisely the kind of personal empowerment that “progressives” find most distasteful — the upshot of it being that, when Americans can protect themselves, they needn’t rely on the government, who has little stake in the individual, to do the protecting for them.
The Second Amendment is a check on the threat of a government that presumes to control rather than represent the people.
To Obama, such presumptuousness on the part of gun-toting, Biblethumping proles is as distasteful as a sandwich made with Velveeta.
(h/t RWS)
…authorizing his new federalized police force to raid the homes of gun owners and confiscate their weapons…
Blood in the streets, baby.
So we’ll have O!’s federalized police force skimming crates of rifles on the side to MS-13. It’ll be a re-distribution of the firearms to more needy parties. O! is so wonderful.
The Second Amendment is a check on the threat of a government that presumes to control rather than represent the people.
Testify, brotha!
Fortunately, most cops are not progressives, and I figure they could be persuaded to refuse utterly to carry out such a blatantly unconstitutional act.
Funny I should see this article, I just heard an Obama ad on the radio (in Florida) claiming that Obama has “ALWAYS” (says it twice) stood for second amd. rights. The program director said it was a national ad and they don’t know who paid for it… I’m still working it
Anyone with a link to a site to find all current radio adds let me know please… I’ve searched his site and many others but nothing for ads in Florida…
Uhhh…good luck with that. Most cops are real “Law and order” authoritarian types that respond really well to just following orders.
Like on many issues, this is one where O! like to talk on all sides of it. While assuring the nutroots that he is all about gun control, he tells the national media that he agrees with Heller vs DC…
He will say whatever it takes to get in power!
Then, he’ll appoint liberal justices to the supreme court; the very kind that would have no problem contextualizing the second amendment-to bring it’s meaning up to date with the 21st century!
The problem is that folks like O! has authority over the folks, instead of recieving authority from them. As with most of the proles, he puts that ideological cart before the horse.
Since for secular progressives faith in the state has replaced any faith in God, the state has become the ever benevolent wellspring of graces. And, who would ever dream of having to defend oneself from its beneficence-EVAH; why that’s a shocking! and outrageous! proposition that only bitter, clinging, bible thumpin’, shotgun pumpin’, outhouse dumpin’, sibling humpin’, non-ivy league Rubes! would fall for anyway-while they were voting against their economic interests too!
At the risk of being cliche, O! can have my guns, when he pries them from my cold, dead, fingers!
The founders gave us the second amendment precisely to ensure that guys like O! and Ayers are kept honest, and don’t start the glorious revolution too soon…
The NRA is promoting a statement Obama made during a primary debate in Philadelphia this year. Specifically:
“…just because you have an individual right does not mean that the state or local government can’t constrain the exercise of that right…”
Of course, I’m taking him out of context. What you don’t know is that he followed this up with “…except for the Holy Sacrament of Abortion. That’s pretty iron-clad.”
Ha ha. Not really. And yes, even though it’s a straw man, anyone want to bet he would EVER make that statement with regard to abortion? If you do, you’re too stupid to breed. Also, you’re probably not breeding anyway so it’s a moot point.
Is Senator Obama one of those who would feel constrained to be forthright when under oath?
That’s Change You Can Believe In™ — because it isn’t change.
Let’s see . . . healthcare for everybody is a right and should be funded by taxpayers. Check.
Abortion is an unrestricted right and should be funded by taxpayers. Check.
Freedom of speech is a right unless you criticize the wrong people. Check.
Individual gun ownership is a right, except that the state or local or federal government can restrict that right any way they want to. Check.
I feel so much better now that I’ve annotated and updated my copy of the Constitution. It’s hard to keep up sometimes.
I’ve met more than a couple cops who beleive that only cops should have guns.
The truth has been the biggest casualty of Obama’s campaign so far.
The way O’s team has played hard and fast with the facts makes it look like the loud, media-coordinated “Bush Lied” campaign was designed to serve as preemptive cover for Obama’s (and his media’s) serial fabrications.
This is our first postmodern Presidential campaign. And, no, that is not a compliment.
dicentra, i have no idea what you are talking about.
you ever heard of “the cop personality”?
it’s not a compliment.
they would go along with this in a second.
they’re the biggest boosters, as long as they get their share of increasing cash outlays, of the militarization of the police.
Ya know, with a little arugala, that Velveeta sammich ain’t so bad.
slackjawedyokel- spot on.
to which i would add that while the Dem party has much discussed (pace Jeff G.) nanny-state tendencies, to say nothing of the authoritarian impulses of its left-prog wing, we should eternally point figures to Bush and the GOP for providing fertile soil for these sentiments.
a nation that is used to taking its shoes and belts off to go through airport security, to say nothing of flying without nail clippers or normal toiletries, is a nation that can get used to a nationalized police force designed to do…something.
at every juncture in the past 8 years, where Bush and the GOP has had a chance to strike a blow for individual freedom and accountability, he has chosen the collective. No Child Left Behind, Homeland Security et al.
our headaches and worry over Obama are a longtime coming.
Heck, even Canadians, although we’re supposed to register them, are allowed to have long guns. Can’t see this unless Barry starts to fool with the 22nd.
#9
but I really like Velveta???
As the government has gotten bigger and bigger Velveeta has gotten smaller and smaller. You have to get at least two to make a decent crock of queso these days. It didn’t used to be that way.
Such an authoritarian  and, frankly, unconstitutional  strategy is of the kind that has proven disastrous in places like Great Britain.
Huh?
Number of people killed by guns in 2006 in England & Wales (population 53 million): 46
Number of people killed by guns in the United States in 2004 (population 292 million): 29,569
Because nobody gets illegal AR-15s or AKs. Drug deals never go bad and nobody gets knifed in GB.
You feelin’ good about all those Limeys getting knifed instead, Nate?
…””Gun death” statistics are frequently cited, in the manner above, to strongly suggest that guns are the cause behind the high violent death rate in the U.S. As in the case of the Los Angeles Times article, no mention is made that over half of those violent deaths are suicides. The CNN article mentions gun homicides and gun suicides, but fails to show us the total violent death rate of other countries, not just gun deaths. For example, in Japan, where gun ownership is rare, its total suicide rate is higher than our total suicide rate.
Combining gun suicide and homicide deaths creates a sensational comparison with other countries, but only clouds and distorts the many factors actually behind violent death rates. Looking at only gun deaths, it is easy to get the false impression that, because of guns, the United States is the most violent country on earth…”
http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcgvintl.html
Jeffersonian it isn’t about that, it is about the “intentions”, Constitution be damned!!111!!
I hope O! doesn’t take away my BLO-GUN because the damn squirrels piss me off when they go after may bird feeders!
Your point is that knife homicides in the UK are equal to or greater than gun homicides in the US (per capita)? As far as I’ve been able to find, in 2004-2005, there were 759 homicides in the UK.
Number of people open to tyranny and deprived of the basic right to self defense in 2006 in England & Wales (population 53 million): 53 million
Number of people open to tyranny and deprived of the basic right to self defense in the United States in 2009 (population 292 million): Watch This Space
Can anyone link to all the deaths free speech has caused in this world that would be great and would also bolster Nate’s argument that individuals are not entitled to any rights for their own good. Hell what about the deaths caused by “allowing” people to drive? How about the government take that away too while they are prying my clingy hands off my .38.
I’m also don’t think that there are nationwide gangs like MS-13, blood or crips in the UK that will get guns no matter what the legal status of firearms is. If people wanna kill people they’ll find a way to do it.
Then move to the UK. I’m sure they will love you.
WTF is it you people (yes I said you people f@ck it) find so god damn good about Europe? If you like it so freakin much move there please.
And the whole “unconstitutional” thing, is about, ya know, the 2nd amendment and all. Find me the stats on the murder rates of legal gun owners, or that old canard of guns bought at guns shows being used in crimes.
Whoa, whoa. I’m not making any argument about freedom, the right to bear arms, or anything like that. Just pointing out that “disastrous” is a strange term for an American to use for the UK’s gun control laws, given the respective gun deaths. Now, if Jeff meant disastrous to their freedom to own handguns, that’s more understandable.
Disastrous for the individual’s right to own a gun, for my ability to keep a rifle in my closet e.g., as opposed to the sequestration of gun usage to “designated sport areas.”
Well if you take that one sentence out of everything that was posted I am sure you can come up with what you think he means by it. Shouldn’t take too much effort either. Especially if you take the word “authoritarian” off the beginning of that sentence.
Your point is that knife homicides in the UK are equal to or greater than gun homicides in the US (per capita)? As far as I’ve been able to find, in 2004-2005, there were 759 homicides in the UK.
No, my point is that if you take away guns, gun crime will fall but be replaced by non-gun crime at equal or greater numbers. It’s shown to have no effect on suicide rates. And given the rising level of violent crime in the UK, events prove me out.
I would note that friearms homicides in britain and Australia increased afrter the draconian restrictions were enacted. A further note is that, when you removed the homicides in the US that are attributable to gang activity, our rate drops below Canada’s.
If that’s racist, I denounce myself.
This is just Too F’ing scarry!!! This was in the ’08 Philly debate!!!
OnTheIssuesLogo
Barack Obama on Gun Control
Democratic Jr Senator (IL)
Ok for states & cities to determine local gun laws
Q: Is the D.C. law prohibiting ownership of handguns consistent with an individual’s right to bear arms?
A: As a general principle, I believe that the Constitution confers an individual right to bear arms. But just because you have an individual right does not mean that the state or local government can’t constrain the exercise of that right, in the same way that we have a right to private property but local governments can establish zoning ordinances that determine how you can use it.
http://www.ontheissues.org/domestic/Barack_Obama_Gun_Control.htm
In my city, we had a woman killed with a sharpened broomstick, around 6pm on a Saturday, on a busy street corner, surrounded by approx. 100 people who cheered it on. Nobody has been charged though it is now a year after the fact.
But they had a candlelight vigil for her, so I guess its cool now.
Yikes, do you reckon we’ll soon be outlawing possession of drawknives, spokeshaves and schnitzelbänke, urthshu?
Its all just gang shit, Sdferr. I argue that we need more gunowners, not less, mostly for homeowners. This was a mother, defending her daughter from a gang. Here’s the latest community organizer vigil for her. This still pisses me off.
Rochester is where I grew up. Sad to see a story like that, but I guess not unsurprising.
*Shudders*
I notice Councilman McFadden isn’t naming any names of the “people” who have talked. Do they exist ready to testify (as opposed to merely “talk”), contra Chief Moore, or is it a case of not wanting any more dead people to add to the role?
Is dat you, Mister Benny?
Actually, McFadden is 1] a Sharpton wannabe 2] a thug who intimidates voters and 3] had offered to protect witnesses at his own house with his thugs, if they would come forward.
If you were to look this intersection up on the maps, the sat view would blow your mind. This is a bust fkn street. Folks on the radio who were getting off buses at the time said they were sort of escorted past the crowd, shooed away. Those people at the vigil saw it. Those are the neighbors and layabouts.
oops busy street, not bust
Makewi – where from in Rochester? And where now?
The important question with regards to gun ownership and the UK is what is the change with regards to the general crime rate in the UK after restrictions on firearms and self defense?
nate, when the Brits banned guns, robbery with violence, home invasions, etc. went thru the roof. A 6’4″ 25 year old thug with just his fists wins over a 70 year old lady with just her fists every time.
#36
When you do that the rate of violent crime is below Great Britains.
Nate. Are you a drug dealer?
And given the rising level of violent crime in the UK, events prove me out.
Yes.
An armed society is a polite society, and people around me keep a copy of Emily Post to ensure maintenance of proper etiquette. Civility through firepower. America, f-yeah!
urthshu
I grew up in Fairport. I recently moved to Honolulu.
thx, makewi. Was out nearlier. From Irondequoit, myself!
Nice town. Burgers down by the bay and Seabreeze. If you don’t mind me asking, what year did you graduate HS?
eduguy?
Yeah, don’t work there anymore.
Crap, don’t pay any attention to that bastard. Except in this one case.
Candlelight vigils are like “Free Tibet” bumper stickers. Other than stroking your conscience, neither one accomplishes anything productive.
How translates Makewi, Makewi?
It’s Hawaiian for Matthew, which is my name.
Thanks very much, Makewi (two syllables? or three?).
Three. In Hawaiian, ever letter is pronounced (except for some reason the second i in Hawaii). I’m only 3 weeks in here, so I’m still trying to figure it all out.
I visited there once (occasion, a friend’s wedding on the beach at Kailua, much fun was had by all) and after a few weeks, I did notice myself missing my accustomed consonants more than ever I could have imagined. All in all though, a more fragrant place I’ve never smelled.
makewi –
1984, east
thanks urthshu. 1988 FHS here.
Sdferr
A very nice spot on this little island. Made nicer by the large number of Marines withing rock throwing distance. I have a brother-in-law who was stationed nearby at one point who completely hated it here. Different strokes and all, I guess. There is a roughly 50% chance that I will be going to work on a different Marine base here on Oahu, so keep your fingers crossed for me. They have their shit together more than most, so it’s usually a pleasure working for them.
My wife and I sat down years ago and talked out the second amendment as it relates to us.
We know where we stand.
Good luck to you indeed on the job gets, and best wishes thereto.
My cousin was at the time I visited your state an Airforce engine guy at Hickham. Being golfers both, we got together for a couple of rounds, one at Mamala Bay, Hickham, t’other at Kaneohe Klipper, Kaneohe Station, which – spectacular beauty of a thing it was. And it beat me silly.
Of course a leftist illuminati is going to vote down the 2nd amendment no matter what they say. if they didn’t Michael Moore would stop putting out politically charged propaganda, i mean movies every four year to help their chances in the election.
Nate,
Around 30 teenagers have been fatally stabbed in London alone this year. Thank heaven they weren’t shot, huh!
I was at a shooting match and asked one of the competitors, who was a policeman, if he would disarm citizens if ordered to do so. Without hesitation, he replied, “Yes.” I think our law enforcement agencies are so addicted to Federal money they will do whatever they are told by Washington. We must remember that cops today are “law enforcement officers”, not “peace officers”.
[…] that he is not going to try to take guns from law-abiding citizens. His voting record is of course completely against gun ownership and even manufacture in his home state of Illinois. Disregarding that, when he was once asked about outlawing guns, he said “Even if I want to […]
Oxycontin….
Breastfeeding and oxycontin….