Obama: Don't Stock Up On Guns

Chicago Sun-Times:

As gun sales shoot up around the country, President-elect Barack Obama said Sunday that gun-owning Americans do not need to rush out and stock up before he is sworn in next month.

"I believe in common-sense gun safety laws, and I believe in the second amendment," Obama said at a news conference. "Lawful gun owners have nothing to fear. I said that throughout the campaign. I haven't indicated anything different during the transition. I think people can take me at my word."

But National Rifle Association spokesman Andrew Arulanandam said it's not Obama's words -- but his legislative track record -- that has gun-buyers flocking to the stores.

Read the whole story: Chicago Sun-Times

Comments

[Beachrunner]

We need to stock up on guns for our own self-protection.

When the world is in a full-blown depression a year from now, communities will have to band together to protect themselves from the marauding hoards of the unemployed and starving. Police will be overwhelmed by the sheer mulititudes. "Neighborhood watch" will take on a whole new meaning.

[HisXLNC]

If Barack had the same stance towards cars as he has towards guns, the auto industry wouldn't need a bailout. They'd probably go back into the black over night.

Sorry, Mr. Lightworker. I'm going to continue stocking up as long as you and others keep pushing for "common sense" legislation.

[OdinsEye]

"I believe in common-sense gun safety laws, and I believe in the second amendment," - Barack Obama


No, sir, you do not. You believe in idiotic gun laws which have never been proven to be effective and you believed in the "state's rights" reading of the Second Amendment until the Heller decision endorsed the individual rights reading, at which time you changed your public tune, but not your personal belief.

[Thirdpower]

Oh he still believes in States Rights when it comes to anti-gun laws.

[djkrlsn]

Kelli--please explain to me what is so bad about defending my 2nd amendment rights that you, Paul Helmke, the Brady Campaign and the VPC are HELLBENT on violating. I recognize that you are irrationally hoplophobic, but that is your problem--DEAL WITH IT.

[EmilyU]

Someone asked why a person should buy an AR-15.

For one, why not?

The AR-15 is a SEMI-AUTO rifle. Semi-auto rifles have been sold in the US for hunting and recreation for 105 years (semi-auto pistols are a few years older). It only fires 1 shot per trigger pull.

The military does not use the semi-auto AR-15.

The AR-15 fires one of the smallest caliber, least powerful center-fire rifle cartridges in existance. This makes it very pleasant to shoot and easy for beginners, those of slight build, or recoil sensitive people to shoot.

Ammo is common and plentiful.

It is an excellent varmint rifle and ranch rifle.

The rifle is light weight (unless you hang all kinds of doo-dads off of it).

It is extremely popular for competition.

It has good inherent accuracy.

Being modular in nature, it is very easy to customize and accurize.

It is simple to operate and already familiar to operate for millions of people.

It is a very good home defense firearm. Studies have shown that it is less likely to penerate walls than a standard 9mm.

It is fun to shoot.

[djkrlsn]

And the best reason of all--IT IS MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO OWN ONE without having to prove a need to Kelli, Paul Helmke, the Brady Campaign, Barack Obama, the VPC, Josh Horwitz, John Rosenthal or Josh Sugarman the FFL holder

[shedances]

Be grateful for the help, people ...

Rather than complain about Pres. Elect Obama's honest advice to not go out & compulsively stock up on firearms, or on fellow Americans committed to preventing firearms type violence & crimes across our country & esp. in specific areas ... I would think the pro-firearms ~ and esp. the pro-assault weapons ~ voices here would be relieved that someone is willing to do something constructive about this important public health/public safety issue.

I know I am!

If it were left in the hands of the NRA, I would argue that our country would have many more violence problems than it already does.

[EmilyU]

"Rather than complain about Pres. Elect Obama's honest advice to not go out & compulsively stock up on firearms"

Why shouldn't people stock up on firearms?

This is just a hint that Obama does indeed want to ban those firearms.

"and esp. the pro-assault weapons ~ voices here would be relieved that someone is willing to do something constructive about this important public health/public safety issue. "

He is not doing anything constructive.

[djkrlsn]

And Kelli's support for every single gun ban that comes down the pike is positively unconstitutional and DESTRUCTIVE.

[djkrlsn]

If it were left to the NRA--law abiding citizens would be allowed their choice of tools to defend the lives of themselves, their families, their friends/neighbors/coworkers with the tools of their choice (Kelliu--and yes I do mean law abiding citizens are 100% ENTITLED TO NON DISCRETIONARY/ NONDISCRIMINATORY CCW, ARs,AKs,SKSs, Mini14/30s M1 carbines/Garands, military surplus rifles/handguns etc) and violent felons are left in prison until they are either reformed or no longer dangerous

[1will]

Evidently there are a lot of people that are scared of Obama's anti gun record and do not believe in his election year conversion to being a 2nd Amendment supporter. Of course there are some pretty large holes in his support for the 2nd Amendment.
Let's see what Obama believes. You live in a city. Wait a minute, the Constitution doesn't apply to you. Your mayor or city council can strip away rights that the Supreme Court affirmed less than 6 months ago.
The interesting thing is if you look at our inner cities they are largely filled with minorities. So we have a black president and Democrats trying to take rights away from blacks and other minorities. Now the KKK and segregation was originaly started by Dems but it always suprises me when blacks wish to make other black people helpless. Oh well, I guess when have millions of dollars and armed guards you can judge what others really need.
On the other hand the NRA is working to preserve 2nd Amendment Rights for all law abiding adult citizens.

[Emlyn]

We are in bad times right now and a lot of people don't have neough money. but there you are going out and buying a gun. Are you still buying food to eat? gas for your car? It seems to me, buying a gun is a waste of money. Are you so afraid? Or are you going to go out and shoot somebody that disagrees with you? I just don't understand the reasons for many of you gun buyers. I hope your families aren't going without food so that you can play with a gun???

[Yermammy]

No one here remembers what the Great Depression was like. Perhaps some are buying one to hunt, as food will get very expensive. Some are buying for self defense. Others are buy the assault type arms anticipating anarchy in the coming days. Still others are disillusioned in trusting the Government (FISA, Patriot Act, Military Commissions Act, TARP). There are many reasons guns are being bought right now. I'm not going to judge, as I had weapons before I served and I have them now. They're simply another tool in my box, nothing more.

[shedances]

Indeed ~ nicely said, Emlyn.

And on that topic ... I would add that I feel Obama's priorities will largely center on getting this economy moving again & dealing with tough international issues (thanks, of course, to Bush's flawed agendas re: wars, torture of detainees, our global reputation/status, etc.), while also not jeopardizing the sometimes difficult 'balance' between rights for gun owners to protect their homes/hearth & our society being safeguarded from guns & gun violence/related crimes.

I believe that firearms ~ such as those classified as "assault weapons" or civilian version assault-weapons ~ have absolutely no place in people's possession, as either security or their hunting weapons ... & feel they do not fall within the 'rights' designated by the U.S. Constitution/2nd Amendment.

[djkrlsn]

Kelli--so far the only reason you have given for opposing ownership of handguns, semiauto rifles and carbines is your own fear--fear based on APPEARANCE not capability or intent--because they LOOK LIKE but DO NOT FUNCTION LIKE military firearms--you are absolutely terrified of carbines that are nearer in power to hunting handguns than big game rifles

[1will]

What makes an "Assault Weapon" more deadly than guns that you have lukewarm approval of?

[EmilyU]

"I believe that firearms ~ such as those classified as "assault weapons" or civilian version assault-weapons ~ have absolutely no place in people's possession, as either security or their hunting weapons ... "

They are excellent security firearms.

The Second Amendment has nothing to do with hunting.

The semi-autos have been around for more than 100 years.

[1will]

I believe that an individual can spend his/her money on whatever legal product they wish. I doubt that many unemployed people are driving up the numbers of gun sales despite your rhetoric.

[shedances]

You certainly can spend your money on firearms, if you want ... it doesn't make it a wise or safe thing to be doing, however. But to each his/her own, I guess.

[VikingQuest]

What is wrong with Obama . . .

Gun sales are the only sales that are up in this economy?

Is he trying to ruin it? LOL

[StopGlobalWarmingBeVegan]

Ban those stupid guns.lol

[djkrlsn]

I guess you must have missed Heller--which verified that the 2nd amendment protects AN INDIVIDUAL RKBA--so very sorry, if firearms were treated the way that most posters here at Huffpo treat the rest of the BOR--I would have BOTH a milspec m16 and a milspec M14 supplied by the government

[EmilyU]

Bottom line:

Obama and the DNC clearly stated that one of their goals was to reinstate and make permanent the '94 ban on certain semi-auto firearms.

Obama has clearly stated that he would like to enact a national ban on concealed carry.

Obama has clearly stated that he wants to restrict ammo sales.

[Emlyn]

I wish he would. we need gun control.

[shedances]

I agree with you, Emlyn! Our society is violent enough ~ firearms, such as assault weapons, just make it worse.

[djkrlsn]

And of course you realize that ALL long arms are used in less than 3% of crime and ARs/AKs etc are only a fraction of that

[EmilyU]

We have all the gun control we need and more.

[1will]

Obama has a history of anti gun speeches and votes. Then he ran for President and decided he supports the 2nd Amendment unless you live in a city. If you happen to be a city dweller then he thinks it's ok for a Mayor or City Council to be able to strip away your 2nd Amendment rights. I've never heard any politician ever before say that local governments should have the power to ban Constitutional Rights.
During the Democratic Primary and general election Obama reached out to hispanics, blacks, gays and every possible demographic imaginable, except gun owners. He made a few vague half hearted and contradictory statements supporting gun rights but it's going to take more than that to make up for his history.
I believe that Obama will govern (not lead) with the knowledge that he is a history making President and his legacy and term will be well recorded. That includes the good and the bad even if the media does lean leftward. We have many more problems than guns to deal with right now. Hopefully Obama will address more serious issues than legally owned guns and weapons that look scary. Unfortunately the House and Senate are filled with crazy Lefties that are no doubt drooling at the chance for another couple of gun laws (to go with the 20,000 or so on the books). I doubt they worry about how history will judge them and I suspect they will lack any restraint or sense.

[shedances]

Pres. Elect Obama is wisely preserving American's rights while also not living a few hundred years in the past when it comes to firearms. Why aren't you, 1will?

[djkrlsn]

Then maybe one of these centuries it will sink in that the right to keep and bear arms is still currently important both in terms of self defense/community defense (ala Koreatown during the Rodney King riots--in case you have forgotten----it is the very ARs, AKS, SKSs and mini14/30 that you complain about were what kept that part of Los Angeles from burning--which is more important to you--stopping crime or disarming law abiding Americans).

[1will]

I have seen no instances of President-Elect Obama preserving any rights. Wishful thinking ? As for living a few hundred years in the past, it's generaly you anti gunners that want a return to muskets and flintlock rifles instead of allowing ownership of modern firearms.

[Thirdpower]

Campaign rhetoric aside, can anyone show me what Obama has done to support his claims of "always having recognized the 2A as an individual right"?

What reason has he given firearm owners to trust his word on this issue?

[djkrlsn]

None--as far as I know, he still thinks the DC gun bans that got thrown out in Heller are legit

[RyokoMocha]

When will the NRA and other gun nuts realize that we aren't after their hunting rifles and normal handguns? We just want assault rifles and military grade weapons out of civilian hands, where they aren't necessary. The son of one of my best friends was shot and killed by a 19 year old with an AK-47 two weeks ago. This could have been avoided if AK-47s weren't available for purchase by civilians across the country. It is absolutely ridiculous that military assault rifles are available for purchase by civilians.

I don't know any gun control advocates who want to take away people's hunting rifles, but AK-47s? There is absolutely no need for civilians to own weapons that have no purpose then to kill large numbers of people.

[Thirdpower]

Ah, another anti-gun fool who doesn't know that the "Assault Weapon Ban" wasn't about 'military grade" firearms.

That son was NOT killed by an AK-47. It was a semi-auto that LOOKED LIKE an AK-47 but functions no differently than any semi-auto 'hunting rifle'. An real AK-47 costs upwards of $5000 along w/ background checks, licensing, and taxes. Think that '19 year old' went through all that? I doubt it.

Now explain to my why Obama, when he was a board member of the Joyce Foundation, voted to fund organizations that WERE calling for the banning of hunting rifles, just under the name of 'intermediate sniper rifles'.

Or the fact that he cosponsored legislation that the main sponsor, Sen Kennedy, clearly stated would ban hunting ammunition like the 30-30?

[Thirdpower]

Wow, almost two hours for this to show up. Right after I posted another.

[shedances]

The only 'fools' here ~ as you put it ~ are those who think that firearms manufacturers won't try & get around the laws, as they have done (particularly before the '94 ban) or try to confuse the general public by making "civilian version" assault weapons that are very dangerous weapons too. All guns are designed for one purpose & one purpose only: To kill. The general population understands that reality ... why can't you, 3rd?

[Thirdpower]

So you think 'AK-47's' can be bought on any streetcorner?

To bad you're just another person who fell for the whole "assault weapons" = "machineguns" lie.

Care to explain why Obama, while a board member of the Joyce Foundation, funded organizations calling for the banning of bolt action rifles as "intermediate sniper rifles"? The same group that calls for bans on handguns?

Care to explain why Obama did NOT sign the Amicus brief opposing the DC handgun ban?

Care to explain why Obama Cosponsored legislation that, as its sponsor Sen Kennedy plainly stated, would ban common hunting ammunition like the 30-30?

Care to explain why Obama voted for a bill in the IL senate that was so badly worded, it would have included single and double barrel shotguns even after being informed of it?

[1will]

So the 19 year old that shot your friend's son would not have been able to commit murder with another kind of gun?
The only thing that makes the civilian version of the AK-47 more deadly than some other types of rifles is the magazine capacity. That's it. It has roughly about the same power as a lever action 30-30 hunting rifle and is much less powerful than many hunting rifles out there.
I think you are paranoid about AK's because of the militaristic look and probaly have little or no real knowledge of guns. Just because it looks like a military weapon doesn't mean it functions just like a military weapon.

[Emlyn]

Why does someone need a AK 40 gun? to hunt a poor little bear? I'm not against a man or a woman going out to hunt (unless they are going to do from a heliocopter or a plane) but I'm against robbers and other criminals shooting up a town with a AK 40 gun. Those should be banned.

[EmilyU]

"When will the NRA and other gun nuts realize that we aren't after their hunting rifles and normal handguns?"

1. The Second Amendment isn't about hunting.

2. The firearms affect by the laws that Obama supports are indeed used for hunting

3. The handguns affected by the laws Obama supports are "normal".


"We just want assault rifles "

Assault rifles are full-auto firearms and were not affected by the '94 ban.

"and military grade weapons "

Define "military grade".

"The son of one of my best friends was shot and killed by a 19 year old with an AK-47 two weeks ago. This could have been avoided if AK-47s weren't available for purchase by civilians across the country. "

Yeah, he might have been killed with a deer hunting rifle, which are general several times more powerful than AK-47s.

"It is absolutely ridiculous that military assault rifles are available for purchase by civilians."

If only that were true, but it isn't.

[45245]

give a list of weapons to be forbidden

[shedances]

That's absolutely correct, Ryoko ... but the gun lobby can't seem to 'see the forest for the trees.' They're heckbent on pushing forth as many guns as they possibly can & get around the laws with modifications (ie., '94 assault weapons ban), regardless of its impact on others & on society at large. And, as far as firearms manufacturers in the West goes, they supply weapons across the globe ~ Africa, for example.

[djkrlsn]

Kelli--protecting my Constitutional rights is bad how? The 2nd amendment protects my right to own the same basic level of tech available to the regular soldier (the 1934 restrictions on full auto are at least somewhat justifiable) but banning semiauto rifles/carbines/handguns with detachable magazine does not make sense and is flat out unconstitutional regardless of what they look like

[HisXLNC]

Incorrect. Most of Africa's weapons are Chinese and Soviet surplus, imported by Arab traders. The west has very little to do with guns outside of the west, because those outside of the west can build and sell them cheaper. In Somalia, I can buy a real AK-47 for ~$30. In the US, i'd be lucky to get a semi-automatic knockoff for less than $400.

[45245]

JR. just needs to list the weapons he would like to be controlled.........that is all