ADD version: The message is:  divide and conquer + only hunters should have guns = grab more slowly. Vote for them at your peril.


Democrats recast gun control image
Party eyes inroads in the West
By Susan Milligan, Globe Staff  |  December 17, 2005
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/12/17/democrats_recast_gun_control_image?mode=PF

WASHINGTON -- The Democratic Party, long identified with gun control, is rethinking its approach to the gun debate, seeking to improve the chances of its candidates in Western states where hunters have been wary of casting votes for a party with a national reputation of being against guns.

The Democrats' effort to soften their rhetoric on gun control is similar to the party's recent efforts to recast its message on abortion, maintaining their support of abortion rights but welcoming more Democrats who favor restrictions on the procedure.

Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean, who had been a critic of some forms of gun control during his tenure as governor of Vermont, has urged candidates to view gun control laws as state issues, allowing those in rural states to reflect the values of hunters and others hostile to gun control, while supporting restrictions in urban areas with serious crime problems.

''On gun rights, we've allowed the Republicans to paint us in a way that just doesn't represent our values," said Damien LaVera, a Dean spokesman, noting that Republicans have repeatedly portrayed Democrats as hostile to the Western way of life.

''It's all about not letting the Republicans define our values," LaVera said.

The National Rifle Association, the powerful arm of the gun lobby, has noticed the shift in positions of Democratic candidates. The percentage of money donated by the NRA to Democratic House and Senate candidates has more than doubled, from 6 percent in the 2002 election cycle to 14 percent so far in the 2006 cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Andrew Arulanandam, director of public affairs for the NRA, said the group has ''seen a marked change" in Democratic behavior.

''Certainly, we support more Republicans than Democrats, but we've seen in the last few years an increasing number of Democrats actively seeking the NRA endorsement and actually winning it," Arulanandam said.

Even before Democrats began recasting their positions, gun control was in trouble on Capitol Hill. The assault-weapons ban passed during the Clinton administration, barring 19 styles of weapons, expired in September 2004 and Congress did not renew it.

Meanwhile, gun control advocates in Congress have been trying unsuccessfully to close the so-called ''gun show loophole," which allows unlicensed sellers to peddle their weapons at gun shows without having to perform background checks on buyers.

Democratic Party officials say they expect their candidates to have a wide range of opinions on gun control, and insist that the national party's message of ''responsible gun ownership" is not hostile to law-abiding gun owners. But some Democrats from rural states say the party still needs to do more to be inclusive and sympathetic to gun owners.

Candidates opposing gun control ''are depicted by some in our party as a bunch of yahoos, and we're not," said Paul Hackett, a Democratic Senate candidate from Ohio and a member of the National Rifle Association. ''We are just good Democrats who are pro-gun.

''As a party, our lack of understanding of gun sports is hurting us," said Hackett, a former Marine who owns about 20 guns.

Democrats' ability to attract rural voters in the West is a key to their hopes in 2006. In Montana, where Democrats hope to pick up a US Senate seat next year, candidates must be pro-gun to have a chance at winning, said the state's Democratic governor, Brian Schweitzer, an avid hunter who has ''more guns than I need but not as many as I want."

''I guess I kind of believe in gun control: You control your gun, and I'll control mine," Schweitzer said.

Democrats have made some headway in elections in the Mountain West, Schweitzer noted, winning majorities in both houses of the Colorado Legislature and picking up the Montana governorship last year for the first time since 1988. But national Democrats need to understand that their Western members have a different view of guns than those who live in areas where ''teenagers are wearing their caps backward, wearing baggy pants, and are shooting at each other," said Schweitzer.

In states like Montana, with its vast expanses, where training in the use of guns is a rite of passage for children in some families, Republicans have often cited Democratic-led gun-control laws as a wedge issue between the parties.

Carl Forti, a spokesman for the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee, said the two parties still have a values gap on gun rights. And he said that the GOP isn't worried about losing to pro-gun rights Democrats in rural areas. ''We have had pro-gun Democrats before, and we have defeated them," Forti said.

Representative Rahm Emanuel, Democrat of Illinois and chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said his party does not impose any kind of gun policy. The party's 2004 platform took a middle ground on gun control, pledging both to honor the Second Amendment right to bear arms and to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.

Like Dean, Emanuel urges candidates to represent the wishes of their constituents.

''They've got to reflect their districts," Emanuel said.

But some other party leaders acknowledge that as a group, Democrats still have an anti-gun image that could hinder even those candidates who oppose gun control. Some of the party's most prominent members -- including Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi of California -- support gun control, a more common view among lawmakers from urban areas.

Kathy Sullivan, chairwoman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, said: ''I think there are people here in New Hampshire who do think of Democrats as a party that wants to take guns away from responsible gun owners. It's important for candidates up here to stress, no, that's not what we want to do."

Some gun control supporters question Dean's stance that gun control should be a regional matter. Such an approach is not workable because people can buy guns legally in one state and use them to commit crimes in others, said Peter Hamm, spokesman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

But Hamm also acknowledged that gun control supporters have done a poor job framing their arguments in ways that do not make lawful hunters fear their lifestyle is under attack, Hamm said.

''Folks say, 'You're using that [assault weapons ban] as a secret message to try to get to our hunting rifles,' " he said. ''It's a shame they believe that, but we haven't done a good job countering that."

Democratic candidates in Western and Southwestern states say the gun control issue has become important because many rural voters, including many hunters, have grown more sympathetic to Democrats' support for environmental initiatives.

Hunters are as concerned about having a place to hunt as much as they are worried about keeping their guns, said Tony Massaro, senior vice president of the League of Conservation Voters.

''Politicians in the West need to be able to run in rural areas, in addition to urban and suburban regions," he said. ''In order to do this, they need to protect habitat and not be seen as wanting to take away the ability to hunt."
....................................................................




"We like guns. We really do."

All that and the article still doesn't mention any of the dozens of gun-control bills before state legislators and our Congress.

WHORES that blow with the wind.

Quoted: All that and the article still doesn't mention any of the dozens of gun-control bills before state legislators and our Congress.

= "Nothing to see here. Move along, go about your business."

''Folks say, 'You're using that [assault weapons ban] as a secret message to try to get to our hunting rifles,' " he said. ''It's a shame they believe that, but we haven't done a good job countering that."

As long as they try that old song and dance, they'll still lose.  Semi-automatics are commonly used for hunting.  The latest democrat versions of the AWB essentially bans all semiautomatic in order to close the "loopholes" (aka, "complying with the law") of the previous ban.

"blah blah blah we're being too obvious, make it more discreet blah blah blah..."

That's laughable.

It's good to know that the Democrats are finally recognizing the portions of the 2nd amendment that address the western way of living and hunting...

Not to mention the "urban" and "high crime" areas. Sheesh... that's a place one clearly needs some form of self protection!!

Silly democrats.... trix are for kids!

''On gun rights, we've allowed the Republicans to paint us in a way that just doesn't represent our values," said Damien LaVera, a Dean spokesman, noting that Republicans have repeatedly portrayed Democrats as hostile to the Western way of life.

Wow, because we know that a Democrat would NEVER stoop to name calling...  

They really haven't changed their positions or their stance on the issue, only their "Image".  Like Rush keeps saying - They have to disguise who they really are if they are to have any chance of winning.  

I noticed how the one made mention of "Gun Sports".  To them it still isn't about getting food, defending your self or family, or defending one's Liberty - nope, it's about "Sports".  

As for "Pro Gun" Dean, he says that cities concerned with crime should be allowed to have gun laws which STILL - in the face of mountains of evidence to the contrary - holds that gun control actually helps reduce crime and doesn't infringe upon our RIGHTS.  

Fuck 'em.  Every last one of them.


-K

But Hamm also acknowledged that gun control supporters have done a poor job framing their arguments in ways that do not make lawful hunters fear their lifestyle is under attack, Hamm said.

I don't know how many times it has been said but, "it is not about hunting or sporting arms."

When they learn to read and understand the 2nd then we can talk.

The democratic party is so clueless on this subject it just hurts! First they are always talking about being "hunter" friendly; guess what about 20 percent of gun owners are hunters and the VAST majority of those hunters ALSO are for non-hunting guns.

From what I keep hearing and seeing, the democratic party statest they are all for hunting, meanwhile people like me and countless other MILLIONS of people could not give a rats ass about hunting. I have handguns to defend myself. They are not pretty polished wood guns with engraved scenes of hunting dogs on them. They are cold, black and pretty scary looking. Which are exactly the guns democrats are trying to ban.

Strike One.

In addition, once again my main purpose to own a handgun is to have it with me, as in CCW mode. Who opposses concealed carry laws...thats right democrats!

Strike two.

Also, who's trying to close out gun shows and have all firearms registered? Thats right, demonrats. The article goes on to point out that they are NOT embracing gun-rights; they are merely toning down thier anti-gun rhetoric in hopes of fooling voters. At no time are they stating that they have decided that their ways were wrong, they are only trying to hide thier colors. Which to me is the most repulsive thing. If you're for gun control fine, then come out and say it and stand by your misguided concepts but dont piss on my leg and tell me its raining.

Stike three.....you're out!

The Democraps are in a serious pickle. If they go gun-grabbing, they lose elections. If they don't, they lose credibility and are perceived as being spineless.

Waffle <Kerry>

The left is certainly not clueless about guns.  They understand exactly why the American people want (and need)  to own guns and they know it's not about hunting or sport.  They're just tryng to figure out a better way of marketing the idea of disarming Americans completely so they have a better chance of achieving their goals.  

Quoted: ADD version: The message is:  divide and conquer + only hunters should have guns = grab more slowly. Vote for them at your peril.

Oh, thank you so much!  I forgot (was too lazy to take) my mind-altering perscription drugs today, and reading the whole thing wasn't an option.

Quoted: Quoted: ADD version: The message is:  divide and conquer + only hunters should have guns = grab more slowly. Vote for them at your peril. Oh, thank you so much!  I forgot (was too lazy to take) my mind-altering perscription drugs today, and reading the whole thing wasn't an option.

You're welcome! Just trying to make life easier for the lazy impatient busy members here who don't have time to read such an involved article.

Quoted: It's good to know that the Democrats are finally recognizing the portions of the 2nd amendment that address the western way of living and hunting...

Quoted: The left is certainly not clueless about guns.  They understand exactly why the American people want (and need)  to own guns and they know it's not about hunting or sport.  They're just tryng to figure out a better way of marketing the idea of disarming Americans completely so they have a better chance of achieving their goals.

Precisely spot on.  Disarmament isn't about crime prevention, any more than the 2nd is about hunting.

Quoted: It's good to know that the Democrats are finally recognizing the portions of the 2nd amendment that address the western way of living and hunting...

= "Finawy- I'm getting some wespect!"

A typical Dem trying to have it both ways on gun control:

Dems now know that disarming American citizens cannot be done at the national level, so they are going local with their antigun politics. They capitalize on local mindsets trying to gain support for their cause.

Never, ever, ever give up your guns.!!!! Never, ever, ever vote a democrat into ANY office of any kind.

Buy more guns, convince others to buy more guns, and convince others to get permits to carry(if applicable).  If every single gun owner gets one or two more into the fold, the anti rights agenda will die a withering death.

As the saying goes,  All that it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

VOTE REPUBLICAN FOR CONGRESS 2006

Liberal Democrats now run their party.  

Liberal Democrats are LIARS.

Liberal Democrats HATE guns...of ALL types.  

Liberal Democrats just want back in power and they will sell their souls to Old Scratch to achieve that goal.

Liberal Democrats will take away our guns as soon as they are able.  NEVER forget that.  You vote for ANY Democrat and you are helping Liberal Democrats to regain power in Washington.  As soon as they do, we can count on the attacks on our RKBA to re-ingnite.  Their first act will be to renew the AWB.

Anybody want that again?  Vote for a Democrat.

Thankfully, the DNC is in the midst of an identity crisis that will last for many years.  There is no way the moonbats who speak on behalf of democrats will bow down to political expedience.  The party bosses may tone down the rhetoric, but the grass roots will always oppose the use of arms for self-defense.

I love it when the Left tries to appear in favor of guns while they hold their noses and await election.  It is as transparent as a child covering his eyes to hide from the world.  

They underestimate us by calling us extreme and paranoid which further alienates them from the bulk of normal functioning society.

''It's all about not letting the Republicans define our values," LaVera said.


Excuse me?  Republicans don't need to define Dems values... they have defined themselves with all the gun control bills they introduce.  The define themselves every time Schumer, Feinswein and company gather for a photo op.

Dems define themselves when they put the Fish-hippocrites magnetic sticker on their website.

Dems define themselves when they align with Moveon.org.

They have said who they are, over and over again.

<waiting for the majority of the ducks & deer crowd to sell the rest of us out>

Quoted: <waiting for the majority of the ducks & deer crowd to sell the rest of us out>

A sad +1 for the Elmer Fudds!

As a life long hunter here is my only answer to the Democraps.