Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record.

[Petrus]

Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record.

http://www.issues2000.org/2008/Ron_Paul_Gun_Control.htm
I don't think it gets much better than this for us.


Ron Paul on Gun Control
Republican Representative (TX-14)


Let airlines make rules about passenger guns to fight terror
Q: You have said that the 9/11 attackers might have had second thoughts if they'd felt that some of the passengers aboard the airplanes might have been armed.

A: You're quoting me incorrectly. I said the responsibility for protecting passengers falls with the airline, not the government--and not the passengers. The airline's responsible for the aircraft and the passengers. If we wouldn't have been dependent on the federal government to set all the rules, which meant no guns & no resistance, then the terrorists may well have had second thoughts, because the airlines would have had the responsibility. But we assumed the government was going to take care of us. After 9/11, instead of moving toward the direction of personal responsibility & private property & 2nd amendment, we moved in the opposite direction. We turned it over to the federal government. Private industry protects their property all the time. But here is one example when the federal government was involved and they messed it up.
Source: 2007 GOP debate at UNH, sponsored by Fox News Sep 5, 2007

Opposes the DC Gun Ban; it's not just a "collective right"
An appeals court in Washington DC issued a ruling that hopefully will result in the restoration of 2nd Amendment rights in the nation's capital. It appears the Court rejected the DC's nonsensical argument that the 2nd Amendment confers only a "collective right," something gun control advocates have asserted for years. Rights, by definition, are individual. "Group rights" is an oxymoron.

When the 2nd Amendment speaks of a "well-regulated militia," it means local groups of individuals operating to protect their own families, homes, and communities. They regulated themselves because it was necessary and in their own interest to do so. The Founders themselves wrote in the Federalist papers about the need for individuals to be armed.

Gun control makes people demonstrably less safe--as any honest examination of criminal statistics reveals. It is no coincidence that violent crime flourishes in the nation's capital, where the individual's right to self-defense has been most severely curtailed.
Source: Weekly column, "Texas Straight Talk" Mar 12, 2007

Ease procedures on the purchase and registration of firearms

* Indicate which principles you support concerning gun issues. Ease procedures on the purchase and registration of firearms.
* Repeal all bans and measures that restrict law-abiding citizens from owning legally-obtained firearms.

Source: Congressional 1996 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1996

Allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms

* Indicate which principles you support concerning gun issues. Allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms that are legally owned and registered.
* Repeal all bans and measures that restrict law-abiding citizens from owning legally-obtained firearms.

Source: Congressional 1996 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1996

Voted NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers.
A bill to prohibit civil liability actions from being brought or continued against manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers of firearms or ammunition for damages, injunctive or other relief resulting from the misuse of their products by others. A YES vote would:

* Prohibit individuals from filing a qualified civil liability action
* Exempt lawsuits brought against individuals who knowingly transfer a firearm that will be used to commit a violent or drug-trafficking crime
* Exempt lawsuits against actions that result in death, physical injury or property damage due solely to a product defect
* Dismiss of all civil liability actions pending on the date of enactment
* Prohibit the manufacture, import, sale or delivery of armor piercing ammunition

Reference: Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act; Bill S 397 ; vote number 2005-534 on Oct 20, 2005

Voted NO on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse.
Vote to pass a bill that would prohibit liability lawsuits from being brought against gun manufacturers and dealers based on the criminal misuse of firearms. The bill would also block these actions from being brought up against gun trade organizations and against ammunition makers and sellers. The measure would apply immediately to any pending cases. Several specific exceptions to the ban exist. This includes civil suits would be allowed against a maker or dealer who "knowingly and willfully violated" state or federal laws in the selling or marketing of a weapon. Design and manufacturing defect lawsuits are also permitted when weapons are "used as intended.
Reference: Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act; Bill HR 1036 ; vote number 2003-124 on Apr 9, 2003

Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1.
Vote to pass a bill requiring anyone who purchases a gun at a gun show to go through an instant background check which must be completed within 24 hours [instead of 72 hours].
Reference: Bill introduced by McCollum, R-FL; Bill HR 2122 ; vote number 1999-244 on Jun 18, 1999

Support the Second Amendment .
Paul adopted the Republican Liberty Caucus Position Statement:

* As adopted by the General Membership of the Republican Liberty Caucus at its Biannual Meeting held December 8, 2000. WHEREAS libertarian Republicans believe in limited government, individual freedom and personal responsibility;
* WHEREAS we believe that government has no money nor power not derived from the consent of the people;
* WHEREAS we believe that people have the right to keep the fruits of their labor; and
* WHEREAS we believe in upholding the US Constitution as the supreme law of the land;

1. BE IT RESOLVED that the Republican Liberty Caucus endorses the following [among its] principles:Every American has the right to keep and bear arms. We affirm our support for the second amendment of the US Constitution.
2. All people, regardless of position in the public or private sector, should be held equally accountable under the law.
3. The *only* litmus test for Supreme Court or other judges should be their determination to accurately interpret, not amend, the Constitution. Judges have *no* authority to make new law.

Source: Republican Liberty Caucus Position Statement 00-RLC6 on Dec 8, 2000

Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record.
Paul scores A by NRA on pro-gun rights policies

While widely recognized today as a major political force and as America's foremost defender of Second Amendment rights, the National Rifle Association (NRA) has, since its inception, been the premier firearms education organization in the world. But our successes would not be possible without the tireless efforts and countless hours of service our nearly three million members have given to champion Second Amendment rights and support NRA programs.

While widely recognized today as a major political force and as America's foremost defender of Second Amendment rights, the National Rifle Association (NRA) has, since its inception, been the premier firearms education organization in the world. But our successes would not be possible without the tireless efforts and countless hours of service our nearly three million members have given to champion Second Amendment rights and support NRA programs.

The following ratings are based on lifetime voting records on gun issues and the results of a questionaire sent to all Congressional candidates; the NRA assigned a letter grade (with A+ being the highest and F being the lowest).
Source: NRA website 02n-NRA on Dec 31, 2003

[Pre-diddy]

I like Ron's position on gun control, and I like his approach to politics, for the most part. Honestly, he is one of the most straightforward and consitent politicians in recent memory. Its not going to win him the presidency any time this millenium, but kudos to the guy for sticking to his guns, so to speak. Even if I don't agree 100% with his policies, I have far more respect for him than I do almost any other political figure, even if I like some of thier positions more than him. The world of politics needs less hypocrites, good on him for setting a bar.

Of course I'm a bit of a weirdo. I also like John McCain and Obama, at least for their principles, if not thier political views.

[kartoffel]

Talking with friends and random acquaintances, a surprising number of people were like "If I wanted to throw my vote away, I'd definitely throw it to Ron Paul. He's not bad."

What do you all think? Is it better to vote tactically to keep OUT the worst of the candidates you DON'T like, or are you going to "waste" a vote on somebody, Ron Paul or otherwise?

[Janq]

Originally Posted by Petrus

Rated A by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record....I don't think it gets much better than this for us.

Bill Richardson on Gun Control
Democratic Governor (NM)


No guns for mentally ill or those with criminal background
Q: You have one of the highest NRA ratings.

A: The issue here, I believe, is instant background checks. Nobody who has a criminal background or is mentally ill should be able to get a weapon. That is the key, and that includes gun sales. That includes gun sales at gun shows. The key is going to be also attacking poverty, dealing with those kids in the ghettos that are heavy users of gun violence and that are victims of gun violence, to make sure that this country attacks the core problems of poverty.
Source: 2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC Jul 23, 2007

Assault weapons ban did not work; despite his vote for ban
Q: On gun control, as a congressman, you said, "I voted to repeal the assault weapons ban because I should respect the wishes of my constituents. In this case, the strong majority favor repealing the ban. That doesn't mean it's the right vote." You voted to ban assault weapons, then you voted to repeal it, because your constituents wanted it?

A: The crime bill, which put 100,000 cops on the street, took some of those initiatives. But I'm a gun owner & I'm a western governor. I believe the issue is not gun control. The issue is instant background checks.

Q: Why do hunters need Street Sweepers or Uzi machine guns?

A: The assault weapons ban did not work.

Q: As president, would you seek to ban assault weapons?

A: It didn't work. What I would do is I would focus more of our efforts on, for instance, background checks with those with criminal backgrounds and the mentally ill. We have to tighten up those background checks. The problem is the states don't have the database & the resources.
Source: Meet the Press: Meet the Candidates 2008 series May 27, 2007

Endorsed by NRA for governor; would accept endorsement again
Q: You received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association running for governor. Would you accept the endorsement of the NRA for president?

A: Yes, I would. I'm a gun owner. I am for reasonable controls --I don't want to see Uzis when you're hunting, obviously.

Q: But you wouldn't ban them.

A: I'm a western governor. It's a cultural issue. I am for strong law enforcement [but not a ban].

Q: Being the NRA's man is not going to be popular in some Democratic primaries.

A: Gun control shouldn't be a litmus test in the Democratic Party. I don't change my positions to run for president.

Q: Well, you did on assault weapons [having voted for the assault weapon ban and then later for its repeal].

A: But that was a vote as part of an overall bill that President Clinton proposed [the assault weapon ban was part of a larger crime bill].
Source: Meet the Press: Meet the Candidates 2008 series May 27, 2007

The 2nd Amendment is precious
Q: You are currently the NRA's favorite presidential candidate declared in either party, based on their rating system. Did anything about the massacre at Virginia Tech make you rethink any part of your position on guns?

A: The first point I'd want to make is my sincerest condolences to the families of those loved ones that perished. It was an unspeakable tragedy. You're right; I'm a Westerner. The 2nd Amendment is precious in the West. But I want to just state for the record, a vast majority of gun owners are law-abiding. This is an issue that deals with two fundamental problems in our system. The first is mental illness. We should ensure that all federal and state initiatives deal with making sure those with mental illnesses cannot get a gun. We should find ways to ensure that our schools get the help that they need to detect these mentally ill patients. Secondly, I'm for instant background checks. We have to make sure states are properly funded to be able to detect those problems.
Source: South Carolina 2007 Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007

Endorsed by NRA; has his own concealed carry permit
The National Rifle Association lent its endorsement this week to Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat. For governor. But as he mulls a run for president, Richardson's history of close relations with the NRA could set him apart from other Democrats seeking the party's bid.

As Richardson noted, he's not the first Democrat to receive an NRA endorsement. "But there haven't been very many," he said. The NRA endorsement wasn't the first time Richardson has garnered the group's backing. "He's been a pretty solid guy on the gun issue," a member of the NRA's board of directors said.

Whether that record could woo pro-Second Amendment voters into the Democratic fold in a national election is another question. The NRA endorsement cites Richardson's support for a law that allows New Mexico residents to carry concealed handguns with a permit. Richardson said he has earned a concealed-carry permit himself.
Source: By Michael Gisick, Albuquerque Tribune Oct 3, 2006

We should ally with pro-gun recreationists in West
Richardson revels in his image as the quintessential Westerner. "You have to talk about guns in the context of lifestyle, recreation, a way of life," the Governor argues, "rather than as just a measure to prevent murders and deaths. Democrats need to move into a void in the West. The Bush Administration is scaring off recreationists, hunters and fishermen because of their extreme anti-environmental policies. It's important to build alliances with them, and not to make the gun issue a litmus test."
Source: Sasha Abramsky, in The Nation, "Democrat Killer?" Apr 18, 2005

Source - http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Bill...un_Control.htm

- Counterpoint

[DJ 9iron]

Those questions kill me.

The mentality people have assuming someone has to be a certain way without trying to understand why not... "OMGnowai!11! he voted against assault weapons ban?!! But but, hes a DEMOCRAT!" I just got more respect for Richardson. I really don't know anything about him. If more people could look beyond party lines and look at the issues...

That was awesome how he said "I voted to repeal the assault weapons ban because I should respect the wishes of my constituents." As should ALL elected officials. He shouldn't have voted for it as the questioner thought he should!! Damnit!

[Petrus]

Janq - Of all the Democrats I like Richardson best because of his stance on gun control. *However*, (and this is personally HUGE after all the reading/research I did this summer) he doesn't understand economics nor foreign policy to the extent necessary to save our country from the path on which it is currently headed. Ron Paul is *the* smartest man running for President. His grasp of economics and foreign policy is superb. If you haven't yet I'd strongly recommend any of the following as to the foreign policy portion:

Imperial Hubris - Michael Scheuer
Blowback - Chalmers Johnson
Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism - Robert Pape
Constitutional Chaos - Andrew Napolitano

and then these are just always economic goodies if you haven't had the time yet to get to them all:

Economics in One Lesson - Henry Hazlitt
Free to Choose/Capitalism and Freedom - Milton Friedman

Essentially all the reading I did this summer echoes Ron Paul's points on just about every single issue. As such I can't support any other candidate because none of them come anywhere close to a true grasp of the issues.


Kartoffel - Now imagine if people stopped having that mindset and everyone you know that likes Ron Paul voted for him and actively supported him. That mindset is Ron Paul's greatest obstacle and I think it will soon be crumbling in his path. Why?

1. He raked in $5.1 Million in Q3

2. He has 3 times as much money on hand as John McCain after campaign debts are calculated (of which Ron Paul has ZERO... I certainly would want someone with zero debt at the helm of my country).

3. He IS "top-tier" now. He has about the same cash on hand as Thompson who has basically fizzled out despite all the media hype.

4. He's the only Republican with any actual shot at winning the general election. Let's be honest. Hillary is basically the nominee. More than 70% of Americans want out of Iraq. Any pro-war Republican is done especially one with lots of baggage e.g. Giuliani and Romney.

If we don't want Hillary to be President and drive our Great Nation straight into the shitter... we need Ron Paul to win the nomination.

If you have any doubts just look at the FEC report or the following article.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundrai...ntial_election
http://www.usadaily.com/article.cfm?articleID=126248


I respect all you gunatics a great deal. This is a wonderful messageboard and if I still don't "make sense" or if I have failed to convey what gets me so excited about Ron Paul then I've done all of you and myself a great disservice. I fully believe that our country needs this man to be President. Our 2nd Amendment needs this man to be President. Our children and grandchildren need this man to be President.

I hope I haven't come across as "too strong" but I really don't know how else to convey how much I believe that we need a Dr. Paul presidency. I actually just donated $200 and even though I'm just a college student I donate every extra bit I have to his campaign and have been skipping going out to eat on weekends just to have a little extra to send in. I'll contribute to the limit or go broke trying.

Ron Paull 2008 or Bust and that's all there is to it in my humblest of opinions

[jamz]

YEah, I'm voting for Paul pretty much no matter what. Even going to break my lifelong tradition of being Independent to register as a republican so I can vote for him in the primaries. Then I'm going back to Independent.

[kartoffel]

Well said, Petrus. I'm in a state with an open primary, so it'll be a vote for Paul.

If I had to pick amongst the Democratic candidates, I'd still vote for Mike Gravel. He's pro-RKBA but would like people to have to pass a safety course before they're allowed to own guns. Some days at the public range (just before deer season, especially) I tend to really like Mike's idea.

[kartoffel]

Originally Posted by jamz

YEah, I'm voting for Paul pretty much no matter what. Even going to break my lifelong tradition of being Independent to register as a republican so I can vote for him in the primaries. Then I'm going back to Independent.

Don't sweat it. I changed from Libertarian to Democrat in '04 to give a vote to Dean in the PA primary. Closed primaries are a pain in the butt.