Letters to the Editor: Is Kerry trying to camouflage his gun position?

October 27, 2004
Cleveland Plain Dealer

News organizations across the state and the nation fell head over heels to cover John Kerry's "hunting trip" in Ohio as if he were an avid hunter. Not a single news report called the event what it truly was: a photo opportunity intended to mislead the masses.

Bill Clinton claimed the National Rifle Association cost Al Gore the 2000 election. Kerry's campaign is well aware of this and is making every effort to mislead gun owners. Unions are telling their members that "John Kerry won't take your gun," knowing full well that Kerry has an anti-gun voting history.

Kerry is endorsed by every major anti-gun special interest group, including the Brady Campaign, previously known as Handgun Control Inc. Kerry is also endorsed by PETA, the animal rights group that wants to eliminate hunting entirely. Is that why he didn't carry his supposed kill?

John Kerry should be sent hunting for a new job by gun-owning union members who have been betrayed by the candidate and their union leadership.

Jeff Garvas, Cleveland
Garvas is president of Ohioans for Concealed Carry.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for a second letter to the PD editor from a member of the "head-in-the-sand" crowd..

Regarding the Oct. 22 story "Cheney scoffs at Kerry hunting trip":

Vice President Dick "Potty Mouth" Cheney poked fun at Sen. John Kerry's goose-hunting trip. Cheney argued that "the image of a gun-toting, camouflaged Democrat was an October disguise that masked his voting record against gun rights."

Mr. V.P., did you notice that Sen. Kerry used a shotgun and not a semi-automatic assault rifle? And did you notice that he hit the goose with one shot?

I don't think Sen. Kerry is anti-gun. Or maybe it's just that the vice president was never in the military and does not know the difference between an automatic rifle and a shotgun.

Duane Beck
Shaker Heights

Commentary:
Newsflash, Duane - Mr. Kerry isn't just trying to ban semi-automatic assault rifles. He is a co-sponsor of S. 1431, which is under consideration in the Senate right now. S 1431, if made law, would ban the Remington 11-87 Kerry sported at a September photo op in West Virginia, along with your grandfather's M1 Garand or Carbine, most if not all of your favorite semi-auto shotguns, and collector guns like the Browning Auto-5.

Saying you don't think Sen. Kerry is anti-gun is like saying you don't think Ted Kennedy enjoys whiskey sours. There is far too much evidence to the contrary, sir.

  • Kerry twice voted in 1999 to require that all gun sales at a gun show go through an FFL holder.
  • Kerry voted twice to eliminate the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP).
  • Kerry voted in 2004 to ban most center-fire rifle ammunition, including the most common rounds used by target shooters and hunters.
  • Kerry voted in 1999 against an amendment to the Juvenile Justice bill that called for increased mandatory minimum and maximum penalties for the illegal transfer or use of a firearm.
  • In 2000 Kerry was one of only 29 Senators to vote to prohibit gun manufactures from discharging debts created by the reckless lawsuits filed by municipalities. This move was a clear attack on the viability of gun manufacturers, designed to punish them even as they continued to win in court.
  • In 2004 Kerry returned from the campaign trail for the first time that year to cast votes against gun owners and to argue against the passage of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
  • Kerry has consistently supported the imposition of a waiting period on gun purchases. In 1985 he voted to require a national 14-day wait. In 1991 he voted for a 7-day wait, and in 1992 he supported a 5- day wait.
  • Voted to commend the Million Mom March in 2000 for their march on Washington that included calls for gun owner licensing, gun registration and other restrictions on law-abiding gun owners.
  • Kerry, unlike 56 of his fellow Senators, is not a member of the Congressional Sportsmen`s Caucus.

    And this is just for starters.

    Why don't you know this, Duane? Well assuming you actually don't, it's because the wool has been pulled over your eyes by strategists using a ploy developed by billionaire anti-gunner Andrew McKelvey.

    Try pulling that wool off, by reading this:
    John Kerry`s Voting Record on Second Amendment and Hunting Issues

    and this:
    John Kerry's ''sensible gun control'' not working in Great Britain

    and this:
    Kerry's Debate Comments Draw Fire

    and this:
    Kerry shotgun still in WV; Democrat hasn't bothered taking steps to bring home

    and this:
    A Message From the President about John Kerry...

    and this:
    All You Need To Know About John Kerry's Stance on Guns

    and this:
    AFGS: Wolf in Sheeps' Clothing

    ONLINE POLL:
    Will John Kerry's abysmal voting record on guns influence your vote?

  • Help us fight for your rights!

    Become a member of Buckeye Firearms Association and support our grassroots efforts to defend and advance YOUR RIGHTS!

    Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter

    Get weekly news and instant alerts on the latest laws and politics that affect your gun rights. Enjoy cutting-edge commentary. Be among the first to hear about gun raffles, firearms training, and special events. Read more.

    We respect your privacy and your email address will be kept confidential.

    Mission

    Buckeye Firearms Association is a grassroots organization dedicated to defending and advancing the right of citizens to own and use firearms for all legal activities, including self-defense, hunting, competition, and recreation. Read more.

    JOIN