By Chad D. Baus

No, it isn't a real fundraiser, but a political satirist's joke about former Senator Fred Thompson's staunch support for gun rights actually seems to be gaining traction on the Presidential candidate's own website.

From the political parody column, entitled "Fred Fundraiser Targets $6M in Guns Pre-Christmas", published on ScrappleFace.com:

Republican Presidential candidate Fred Thompson today, upon hearing that rival Ron Paul’s supporters had raised $6 million in 24 hours to commemorate the Boston Tea Party, called on his supporters to match that figure in gun purchases before Christmas to mark George Washington’s victory at the Battle of Trenton.

“I’m tired of running around the country raising money that I just have to hand over to the same mainstream media companies that ignore my campaign,” said the former senator from Tennessee. “We’ve done enough this year to support the so-called free press of the first amendment. Let’s give a boost to our friends who make it possible for us to exercise our second amendment right to keep and bear arms.”

Click 'Read More' for the full commentary.

The Washington Post is reporting that legislation prompted by the Virginia Tech University shootings has been approved by Congress and sent to the President's desk for signature. The legislation is described as help for states to more quickly and accurately identify potential firearms buyers with mental health problems that disqualify them from gun ownership under federal law.

From the story:

The deaths of 32 people in a shooting rampage by a mentally ill student on the Virginia Tech campus spurred Congress to address long-standing gaps in state records reporting that allowed the killer to purchase two guns.

The resulting bill -- based on legislation that had languished for years -- drew overwhelming bipartisan support, and the backing of both the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the National Rifle Association. Its Democratic sponsors worked for months to bring it to a vote, after Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) placed a hold on it.

...Yesterday, after a compromise prompted Coburn to lift his hold, the Senate and the House passed the bill in quick succession. It is headed to President Bush for his signature.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Coburn called the bill "a balance . . . for protection. But it's also a balance to preserve rights."

While the bill was originally brought forward by two well-known anti-gun legislators, CNSNews.com is reporting that passage of the reworked legislation is being met with anger by anti-gun extremists.

Click 'Read More' for the entire story.