Obama defends the 2nd Amendment

[Schadenfroh]

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/19/134682376/Obama-Fails-To-Find-Common-Ground-On-Guns

Gun-control groups also want to ban high-capacity ammunition clips, like the one used in Tucson. The president hasn't gone that far. Instead, he's been trying to establish his commitment to gun rights.

In his op-ed, he pointed out that he's allowed people to carry guns in national parks. Earlier this month, when asked by a Mexican reporter if U.S. gun laws help arm Mexican drug runners, he began his answer this way.

President BARACK OBAMA: I believe in the Second Amendment. It does provide for Americans the right to bear arms for their protection, for their safety, for hunting, for a wide range of uses.

LIASSON: The president has been criticized by the left for not pushing for legislation to renew the assault weapons ban or close the gun show loophole.

I applaud Obama for not attempting to capitalize on the recent incident in Arizona. Seems he is in no hurry to push through any pointless assault-weapon bans or high-capacity magazine bans like some fringe elements desire and some groups feared.

I also appreciate him echoing the ruling of the Supreme Court in regards to the interpretation of the 2nd Amendment, as it is an individuals right to be armed. Maybe this will finally help persuade those dissenting the decision of the Supreme Court that this president is here to defend the constitution, even the parts a vocal minority do not agree with.

 

[Rainsford]

To be fair to the President, believing in the 2nd amendment does not preclude SOME restrictions on gun ownership...any more than believing in the 4th amendment means the police can never search private citizens, or believing in the 1st amendment means you can never be legally accountable for saying anything in any situation.

I feel like President Obama parsed his words pretty carefully, to be honest He didn't come out like the gun control lunatics and totally ignore the 2nd amendment and what it says. But he also didn't do so far as to agree with the gun nuts and say the 2nd amendment means there can never be any restrictions of any kind on gun ownership.

 

[Greenman]

I thought disarming citizens was one of the goals of liberalism, have I been mistaken in that belief?

 

[Rainsford]

I thought disarming citizens was one of the goals of liberalism, have I been mistaken in that belief?

Yes, yes you have been. Or more charitably, you've been misled by politicians with an agenda to push...

 

[Jhhnn]

It's a plot, I tell you, a plot to lull all the God fearin' gun totin' people of Merricuh into a sense of complacency just before the black helicopters come to take yer guns! It's the sekrit libruhl commie pinko muslim fascist Gay agenda incarnate!

Don't be fooled! Buy more guns! Put 'em in the bomb shelter with the duct tape & plastic sheeting! Fondle them often!

Edit- forgot Kenyan!

 

[Greenman]

Yes, yes you have been. Or more charitably, you've been misled by politicians with an agenda to push...

The simple reality is that I've always seen gun control pushed by democrats. I assumed (perhaps foolishly) that the desired end result was the elimination of all privately held firearms. While I'm not convinced that isn't the goal of some, I'm heartened to see it's not fundamental to the party.

 

[bamacre]

I thought disarming citizens was one of the goals of liberalism, have I been mistaken in that belief?

Perhaps 8 years of Bush has deepened their understanding of why the 2nd is there.

 

[Jhhnn]

The simple reality is that I've always seen gun control pushed by democrats. I assumed (perhaps foolishly) that the desired end result was the elimination of all privately held firearms. While I'm not convinced that isn't the goal of some, I'm heartened to see it's not fundamental to the party.

In other words, Rainsford is right, that you've been misled by politicians with an axe to grind, even you can't quite recognize that, or admit it.

 

[rudeguy]

as much as I like to bash on Obama...he does do some things that I really agree with. This and him awarding the MOH to a living soldier are two that stick out the most in my mind.

 

[DucatiMonster696]

"Acta non verba"

What a politician may say is one thing but their actions demonstrate their true intentions in the end.

 

[Throckmorton]

"Acta non verba"

What a politician may say is one thing but their actions demonstrate their true intentions in the end.

And Obama hasn't done anything to to violate the 2nd amendment

 

[Jhhnn]

And Obama hasn't done anything to to violate the 2nd amendment

Yeh, but he would if he could, I jus know it, same way he used Kenyan time warp mind control voodoo to fake his birth in Hawaii. Once we drop our guard, the mental defenses will be gone, and Poof! he'll take all the white wimmen and put us in chains, cuz we won't have any guns!

True Story!

 

[irishScott]

And Obama hasn't done anything to to violate the 2nd amendment

Because for now he has bigger fish to fry.

So far he's forbade the sale of antique M1 rifles from Korea and used the Brady Campaign's line as justification, as well as appointed Traver to head the ATF (guy is endorsed by the Brady Campaign). Just because he hasn't declared outright war on guns doesn't mean he believes in the 2nd amendment. He;s trying to win what moderates he can for reelection. John Kerry also laughably claimed he was "for sportsmans' rights" back in the day.

 

[Carmen813]

Obama is against personal ownership of grenade launchers, .50 caliber machine guns, and howitzers. To some, this means he is a gun control nut.

 

[DucatiMonster696]

Obama is against personal ownership of grenade launchers, .50 caliber machine guns, and howitzers. To some, this means he is a gun control nut.

Let me know when there is an epidemic crime wave of licensed .50 caliber mg owners committing crimes.

 

[finglobes]

When Obama praises the second it makes sense that hes ready to pounce (or to let others do it for him like Hillary in Libya)..

 

[DucatiMonster696]

And Obama hasn't done anything to to violate the 2nd amendment

If we were to judge him on his past ability to keep promises (especially campaign promises) well then it shouldn't be hard to see why there is some doubt as to the veracity of his statements on the 2nd amendment.

What you see here is the classic ploy to appeal toward the middle ground by Obama to try to gain support and votes. In the end his actions will speak more so then his words on this issue for those of us who actually care about the integrity and security of the 2nd amendment from those who view it as a nuisance or would just plainly like to get rid of it all together.

 

[schneiderguy]

Obama does not believe in the 2nd Amendment. Look at his voting record in the senate. He just wants to get re-elected.

Also,

 

[shangshang]

Am I the only one who thinks that people with guns killing other people with guns is a good thing for society in the long run? yawn.

 

[deanx0r]

President BARACK OBAMA: I believe in the Second Amendment. It does provide for Americans the right to bear arms for their protection, for their safety, for hunting, for a wide range of uses.

Nowhere does it say in the Bill of Rights that the 2nd amendment grants the people the right to keep and bear arms. It clearly says that the government shall not infringe on people's right to bear and keep arms. If anything, it clearly means Obama doesn't have a firm understanding of the philosophy of our Founding Fathers.

 

[kylebisme]

Furthermore, the personal protection, hunting, and whatever other "wide range of uses" for guns which Obama might be alluding to have nothing to do with the Second Amendment, while the actual intent of which is clearly stated in the amendment's opening clause for those of us who actually do have some respect for reality.

 

[Anarchist420]

The fact that he hasn't pushed for repeal of all existing Federal gun laws means he doesn't support the 2nd Amendment.

He's just trying to be a moderate. I do still have to give him some credit though, since he's not as bad as the Clintons on this issue. During the 2008 Campaign, I always feared Hillary the most.

 

[Greenman]

In other words, Rainsford is right, that you've been misled by politicians with an axe to grind, even you can't quite recognize that, or admit it.

I admitted to forming an opinion with incomplete information. I don't blame anyone else for my lack of knowledge. I don't understand why you can't accept a simple fact for what it is, a simple fact.

 

[Texashiker]

Obama is just getting some face time. When election time rolls around in 2012, he needs to appear to be pro-gun.

All his opponents need is to play obama as someone who wants to ban guns and bail out banks, and he will not be re-elected. With throwing some pro-gun speeches out there now, he has a platform to run on next year.

 

[werepossum]

Obama does not believe in the 2nd Amendment. Look at his voting record in the senate. He just wants to get re-elected.

SNIP

That worries me as well. But he's been only very mildly anti-gun as President, much better than I expected, and very restrained over the Giffords shooting. Frankly the BATFE as an institution is much worse than Obama as President.

Nowhere does it say in the Bill of Rights that the 2nd amendment grants the people the right to keep and bear arms. It clearly says that the government shall not infringe on people's right to bear and keep arms. If anything, it clearly means Obama doesn't have a firm understanding of the philosophy of our Founding Fathers.

Agreed. This is a common misconception on both sides of the aisle, and quite scary. If men granted these rights, men can remove them.