Slappy Posted January 13, 2009 at 08:16 AM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 08:16 AM article Obama and the Second Amendment Monday , January 12, 2009By John R. Lott, Jr. Despite a huge Democratic Senate majority, Eric Holder’s confirmation hearings are going to be difficult. He has a long record to defend. Whether it is his involvement and inconsistent statements about Bill Clinton’s pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich’s or his pushing Clinton’s clemency of the FALN terrorists or his failure to disclose his work for troubled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich after Blagojevich's legal problems surfaced, he faces tough questions. But Holder’s nomination raises other questions about what President-elect Barack Obama claimed he believed during the campaign. Numerous times he promised that he supported an individual’s right to own guns and that he wouldn’t do anything to take away people’s guns. Just last year in a brief to the Supreme Court, Holder argued that “the Second Amendment did not protect an individual right to keep and bear arms,” that it only protected government militias’ rights to guns. He claimed that the Second Amendment posed no obstacle to implementing gun bans. I can’t find even one gun control law that Holder has opposed. On every gun control regulation he has discussed, he has been supportive, including: bans, raising the age that someone can possess a gun, registration and licensing, one-gun-a-month limit on purchases, and mandatory waiting periods. Even more troubling, while Holder served in the Clinton Justice Department, he oversaw the background check system, but he has never been asked to explain why the system broke down so consistently while he ran it. The constant breakdowns of "instant" background-check systems during the Clinton administration halted gun sales for hours or even days at a time, costing stores untold sales and additional costs. Even by the end of the Clinton administration, from September 1999 to December 2000, the system was down about one hour for every 16.7 hours of operation. The breakdowns often came in big blocks of time, the worst during a period covering 60 business hours during two weeks in the middle of May 2000. During his tenure, gun shows sometimes found that they couldn’t sell guns during the entire weekend that they were open. Try running a business where you face random shutdowns and neither customers nor sellers are ever informed of how long outages are expected to last. In addition to the government-imposed fees on gun sellers and the regulatory harassment of gun sellers with no evidence that these policies have reduce crime, it is not surprising that the number of gun dealers has plummeted by over 80 percent since 1992. The breakdown in background checks, which had been a problem for years under the Clinton administration, magically fixed itself within weeks of President Bush assuming office in 2001, and the problems have not recurred. What few realize is the huge power that the attorney general has to make legitimate gun selling very difficult without any new laws or regulations having to be passed. This is even more important now than it was under the Clinton administration, as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms has recently moved from the Treasury Department to the Justice Department. I always questioned Obama’s claims and argued that up until the presidential campaign his whole career had supported gun bans, but there was no lack of politicians and advisers who attested to Obama’s sincerity on the issue. Obama and his campaign constantly tried to explain away his past support for gun control as being mistakes by subordinates who had incorrectly explained his positions. Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, a Democrat, promised reporters last August about Obama: “He ain't going to take your gun away. He ain't ever going to take your gun away.” Joe Biden made similar statements while campaigning in places such as rural southwest Virginia. An Obama adviser, Stanford law professor Larry Lessig, said on Hugh Hewitt's national radio show last fall that "I think that he has always been an individual rights person on the Second Amendment." Another adviser, Professor Cass Sunstein at Harvard, told Time Magazine in June: "Obama has always expressed a belief that the Second Amendment guarantees a private right to bear arms." The list goes on. It was a constant theme of the campaign. Just before the November election, the Los Angeles Times questioned the honesty of those who questioned Obama’s stand on guns, because "Obama does not oppose gun rights. He has made a point of pounding this home to rural audiences, telling them he has no intention of taking their guns away: not their shotguns, not their handguns, not anything." There are few such issues that the Obama campaign promised over and over again during the campaign. Holder’s nomination suggests this promise was not serious. And it also suggests that Obama won’t appoint judges who believe it either. With Appeals Courts around the country already facing Second Amendment cases and a very closely divided Supreme Court likely to rehear the issue, the judges Obama will appoint could easily reverse last year’s Supreme Court decision striking down the DC gun, a decision that he claims to support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BShawn Posted January 13, 2009 at 03:44 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 03:44 PM & this would be why so many people are buying what ever they can now. Hope they get the message from the increased sales! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzard Posted January 13, 2009 at 03:59 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 03:59 PM I'm tellin' ya, this is going to be bad! Those that say "We survived Carter, we survived Clinton..." are just hoping on hope that they're right. This was no time to 'make history'. Nothing this man says can be believed. He already backing away from campaign retoric and this is just the start.& this would be why so many people are buying what ever they can now.I'm betting many of these people didn't bother to vote either. If so, they shouldn't be allowed to buy guns! YEAH, I SAID IT!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BShawn Posted January 13, 2009 at 04:02 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 04:02 PM I'm tellin' ya, this is going to be bad! Those that say "We survived Carter, we survived Clinton..." are just hoping on hope that they're right. This was no time to 'make history'. Nothing this man says can be believed. He already backing away from campaign retoric and this is just the start.I am hoping for 'nothing' to happen too, it would be nice. Cannot count on it. I hope what we can count on is, everyone who has bought and been buying is ready to act if need be and it comes down to it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slappy Posted January 13, 2009 at 04:08 PM Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 04:08 PM I am hoping for 'nothing' to happen too, it would be nice. Cannot count on it. I hope what we can count on is, everyone who has bought and been buying is ready to act if need be and it comes down to it! I really don't think its going to come to armed revolution over Obama here... I mean, we disagree with him fundamentally but he's not going to cause the next civil war! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzard Posted January 13, 2009 at 04:08 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 04:08 PM I'm tellin' ya, this is going to be bad! Those that say "We survived Carter, we survived Clinton..." are just hoping on hope that they're right. This was no time to 'make history'. Nothing this man says can be believed. He already backing away from campaign retoric and this is just the start.I am hoping for 'nothing' to happen too, it would be nice. Cannot count on it. I hope what we can count on is, everyone who has bought and been buying is ready to act if need be and it comes down to it!If you believe that, I've got a '52 Corvette I'll sell. Just send the cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWBH Posted January 13, 2009 at 04:17 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 04:17 PM Just last year in a brief to the Supreme Court, Holder argued that “the Second Amendment did not protect an individual right to keep and bear arms,” that it only protected government militias’ rights to guns. Huh?? Government militia????????????????? - does this guy have any knowledge of U.S. History?What a ding-dong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slappy Posted January 13, 2009 at 04:46 PM Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 04:46 PM If you believe that, I've got a '52 Corvette I'll sell. Just send the cash. If you take 3rd party, out of state bad checks, I'll send the money right away!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmershAgent Posted January 13, 2009 at 04:56 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 04:56 PM I'm betting many of these people didn't bother to vote either. If so, they shouldn't be allowed to buy guns! YEAH, I SAID IT!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted January 13, 2009 at 05:03 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 05:03 PM I'm betting many of these people didn't bother to vote either. If so, they shouldn't be allowed to buy guns! YEAH, I SAID IT!! Hey guys don't forget that Non-citizens are not afforded that right to vote..That includes me. I have served in the US military and do what i can to support the constitution and gun rights but when it comes to voting i am not allowed by law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmershAgent Posted January 13, 2009 at 05:13 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 05:13 PM I'm betting many of these people didn't bother to vote either. If so, they shouldn't be allowed to buy guns! YEAH, I SAID IT!! Hey guys don't forget that Non-citizens are not afforded that right to vote..That includes me. I have served in the US military and do what i can to support the constitution and gun rights but when it comes to voting i am not allowed by law. Please be assured we (I'll go on a limb and presume Buzzard agrees with me) did not intend that sentiment as a disparagement against individuals like you. My rancor is reserved for those who have the right to vote in Presidential elections but couldn't bother to do so, but who are making the time to go on firearm and ammunition buying binges. Many of these are probably the same folks who like to brag that they'll "turn in their guns bullets first" but are unwilling to write a letter or call their elected officials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tech141 Posted January 13, 2009 at 05:16 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 05:16 PM Hodgie wrote -"Hey guys don't forget that Non-citizens are not afforded that right to vote..That includes me. I have served in the US military and do what i can to support the constitution and gun rights but when it comes to voting i am not allowed by law. " What? You didn't vote? You must bo one of the three non-citizens in the country that didn't vote for Barry HUSSEIN Obama. Next election, just visit your nearest ACORN office and express your 'intent' to vote Democrat. They'll get you signed up to vote 17 times... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slappy Posted January 13, 2009 at 05:19 PM Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 05:19 PM Next election, just visit your nearest ACORN office and express your 'intent' to vote Democrat. They'll get you signed up to vote 17 times... 17 times? Sir, you underestimate their abilities to fix an election! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted January 13, 2009 at 05:23 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 05:23 PM What? You didn't vote? You must bo one of the three non-citizens in the country that didn't vote for Barry HUSSEIN Obama. Next election, just visit your nearest ACORN office and express your 'intent' to vote Democrat. They'll get you signed up to vote 17 times... Lol... nice one. Please be assured we (I'll go on a limb and presume Buzzard agrees with me) did not intend that sentiment as a disparagement against individuals like you. My rancor is reserved for those who have the right to vote in Presidential elections but couldn't bother to do so, but who are making the time to go on firearm and ammunition buying binges. Many of these are probably the same folks who like to brag that they'll "turn in their guns bullets first" but are unwilling to write a letter or call their elected officials. I Know you guys didn't mean it that way, just a reminder to all that some of us are not afforded that right. no offense taken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzard Posted January 13, 2009 at 06:13 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 06:13 PM I'm betting many of these people didn't bother to vote either. If so, they shouldn't be allowed to buy guns! YEAH, I SAID IT!! Hey guys don't forget that Non-citizens are not afforded that right to vote..That includes me. I have served in the US military and do what i can to support the constitution and gun rights but when it comes to voting i am not allowed by law. Please be assured we (I'll go on a limb and presume Buzzard agrees with me) did not intend that sentiment as a disparagement against individuals like you. My rancor is reserved for those who have the right to vote in Presidential elections but couldn't bother to do so, but who are making the time to go on firearm and ammunition buying binges. Many of these are probably the same folks who like to brag that they'll "turn in their guns bullets first" but are unwilling to write a letter or call their elected officials.Yes, I do concur with Smersh and thank you for your service, Hodgie! My only beef would not be with you and I would suggest that the law and the military requirements be changed, that should a non-citizen choose to serve in the United States military, they should be given the citizenship test and be made a citizen. If they need to be schooled to pass the test - give them the schooling as part of their training. Would you not agree? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzard Posted January 13, 2009 at 06:17 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 06:17 PM My rancor is reserved for those who have the right to vote in Presidential elections but couldn't bother to do so, but who are making the time to go on firearm and ammunition buying binges. Many of these are probably the same folks who like to brag that they'll "turn in their guns bullets first" but are unwilling to write a letter or call their elected officials.Damn Straight!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BShawn Posted January 13, 2009 at 09:44 PM Share Posted January 13, 2009 at 09:44 PM My rancor is reserved for those who have the right to vote in Presidential elections but couldn't bother to do so, but who are making the time to go on firearm and ammunition buying binges. Many of these are probably the same folks who like to brag that they'll "turn in their guns bullets first" but are unwilling to write a letter or call their elected officials.Damn Straight!!Just for the record, Although I am one of the "sure i'll turn in my firearms, lead first" people... I am willing to write letters, and make phone calls etc.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slappy Posted January 14, 2009 at 09:30 AM Author Share Posted January 14, 2009 at 09:30 AM My rancor is reserved for those who have the right to vote in Presidential elections but couldn't bother to do so, but who are making the time to go on firearm and ammunition buying binges. Many of these are probably the same folks who like to brag that they'll "turn in their guns bullets first" but are unwilling to write a letter or call their elected officials. I figure if you could have voted and you didn't, you have NO RIGHTS whatsoever to complain about the government and the state of affairs. I voted so I'm going to complain away... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BShawn Posted January 14, 2009 at 04:00 PM Share Posted January 14, 2009 at 04:00 PM I am hoping for 'nothing' to happen too, it would be nice. Cannot count on it. I hope what we can count on is, everyone who has bought and been buying is ready to act if need be and it comes down to it! I really don't think its going to come to armed revolution over Obama here... I mean, we disagree with him fundamentally but he's not going to cause the next civil war!Are you sure about that??? (hearing about some of the s#^t they're going to try 'en pull!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BShawn Posted January 14, 2009 at 04:00 PM Share Posted January 14, 2009 at 04:00 PM I voted so I'm going to complain away... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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