Official Party Platforms on Gun Rights

[USNRETHunter]

There are several threads on here that talk about what the different candidates will do if elected, so I figured I would post the official Party Platform positions, copied directly and completely. Guys on here like Arthur P and Rainmaker should realize that the BO/Biden pair with a Democrat controlled congress will implement this platform. Closing the (nonexistent) gun show loophole means shutting down gun shows, reinstating the "assault weapons" ban, means....just that.

Democrat
Firearms
We recognize that the right to bear arms is an important part of the American tradition, and we
will preserve Americans"™ Second Amendment right to own and use firearms. We believe that
the right to own firearms is subject to reasonable regulation, but we know that what works in
Chicago may not work in Cheyenne. We can work together to enact and enforce commonsense
laws and improvements "“ like closing the gun show loophole, improving our background
check system, and reinstating the assault weapons ban, so that guns do not fall into the hands of
terrorists or criminals. Acting responsibly and with respect for differing views on this issue, we
can both protect the constitutional right to bear arms and keep our communities and our children
safe.

Rebublican
Upholding the Constitutional Right to Keep and Bear Arms
We uphold the right of individual Americans to own firearms, a right which antedated the Constitution and was solemnly confirmed by the Second Amendment. We applaud the Supreme Court"™s decision in Heller affirming that right, and we assert the individual responsibility to safely use and store firearms.
We call on the next president to appoint judges who will similarly respect the Constitution. Gun ownership is responsible citizenship, enabling Americans to defend themselves, their property, and communities. We call for education in constitutional rights in schools, and we support the option of firearms training in federal programs serving senior citizens and women. We urge immediate action to review the automatic denial of gun ownership to returning members of the Armed Forces who have suffered trauma during service to their country. We condemn frivolous lawsuits against firearms manufacturers, which are transparent attempts to deprive citizens of their rights. We oppose federal licensing of law-abiding gun owners and national gun registration as violations of the Second Amendment. We recognize that gun control only affects and penalizes law-abiding citizens, and that such proposals are ineffective at reducing violent crime.


For full party platforms, here are your links:
Republican Platform
Democrat Platform

[sachiko]

"We believe that the right to own firearms is subject to reasonable regulation...." That sums up the liberal/Democrat position. Do those words conform to the second amendment's "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed?" No of course not.

To me the worst thing about liberal/Democrats is not that their positions on various issues differ from mine, it's that they are so incredibly dishonest. They excel at lying.

[kevin1]

Seems pretty evident which one is on our side to me.

[ipscshooter]

And, there you have it. The scum Socialists [:'(] believe that I am not smart enough or responsible enough to own an AR15. Although, I have managed to own one for over 15 years, my family and I have somehow survived unscathed, and, so far, I haven't gone on any killing sprees.

[USNRETHunter]

I forgot to add that "...improving our background check system..." is a euphemism for "Federally mandatory 3 (or 7 or 30) day waiting period to purchase" The current NICS is doing just fine.

[Arthur P]

Guys on here like Arthur P and Rainmaker should realize that the BO/Biden pair with a Democrat controlled congress will implement this platform.

I am quite aware of that, thank you. Unfortunately, I cannot vote for Republicans this time because I disagree with them on too many other issues. I have said many times that even the extreme weight of the 2nd Amendment cannot balance the scales THIS election.

Closing the (nonexistent) gun show loophole means shutting down gun shows, reinstating the "assault weapons" ban, means....just that.

Beware of your own candidate, McCain. Review his record and you will find that he's a staunch advocate of closing 'gun show loopholes' and I'm not very sure about his opposition to 'assault weapons' bans either. Sure, Palin is an NRA life member but, as has been pointed out so vociferously by supporters, she is not running for President and so does not count. McCain has been quoted as saying he doesn't even own a gun.

[badshotbob]

ORIGINAL: USNRETHunter
We can work together to enact and enforce commonsense
laws and improvements "“ like closing the gun show loophole, improving our background
check system, and reinstating the assault weapons ban, so that guns do not fall into the hands of
terrorists or criminals.

Here's where you need to read between the lines. How many of your guns have wound up in the hands of criminals or terrorists? I still have all of mine. It would be interesting to pull a statistic on this statement to see just how many guns are stolen and wind up in bad hands. I'd bet not very many and certainly even fewer assault weapons. It's absolutely absurd to think that the assault weapons ban would do anything to keep criminals and terrorists from getting guns. They will always find a way to a weapon of some sort.

In essence what this is saying to the liberal minded folks of this country is that the democratic party can willingly take away a little tiny portion of our rights to bare arms all the while looking as if they support the 2nd Amendment. It starts with a little, where will it stop then do you suppose? This is nothing short of criminal and treasonous in my book.

[badshotbob]

ORIGINAL: Arthur P
McCain has been quoted as saying he doesn't even own a gun.

Oh come on, now you're reaching and really sounding like a liberal with that one there, Arthur. That's like saying my wife doesn't hunt but still eats venison. So freaking what?

[Arthur P]

Reaching? For what? You think I'm trying to say vote Obama because McCain doesn't own a gun? I'm kind of insulted that you think I'm that freakin' dumb.[>:]

It's part of the overall pattern I see with McCain that shows he's not anywhere near as much of a friend to gun owners as he's been portraying himself during the campaign. So, just consider it background information. Decide for yourself if it's relevant. You might not think so but someone else might.

If McCain was solidly pro-2nd Amendment like Palin, then I'd have a lot more motivation to check the Republican box in November. But he ain't, so I won't. I've explained my reasoning on this, in depth, in several other threads.

[ipscshooter]

ORIGINAL: badshotbob

Here's where you need to read between the lines. How many of your guns have wound up in the hands of criminals or terrorists? I still have all of mine. It would be interesting to pull a statistic on this statement to see just how many guns are stolen and wind up in bad hands. I'd bet not very many and certainly even fewer assault weapons. It's absolutely absurd to think that the assault weapons ban would do anything to keep criminals and terrorists from getting guns. They will always find a way to a weapon of some sort.

In essence what this is saying to the liberal minded folks of this country is that the democratic party can willingly take away a little tiny portion of our rights to bare arms all the while looking as if they support the 2nd Amendment. It starts with a little, where will it stop then do you suppose? This is nothing short of criminal and treasonous in my book.

You have to remember that with the Left, reason and logic have nothing to do with this equation. Keep in mind that here, on a hunting site, we have a leftist member who is dumb enough to think that the assault weapons ban had something to do with fully automatic rifles... And, OMG, high power rifle ammo is capable of defeating body armor designed to protect police officers from pistol bullets. Ban COP KILLER BULLETS!!!!! And, why on Earth would someone need a "SNIPER RIFLE" with telescopic sights capable of placing bullets within millimeters of accuracy at ranges of 100 meters, which is clearly beyond normal hunting range?!?!? Lordy, Lordy, what's this world come to???[:'(][:'(][:'(]

Anyone who gives a rat's butt about the 2nd Amendment and would vote for Obama/Biden needs his head examined, and quite probably would fail Question 12.f. on Form 4473...