There are two parts to this post:
First, based on your current understanding of the candadates running for President in 2008 (and forgive me for only listing the current major players... I'm a liberatarian myself... but thats neither here nor there). But based on your own biased opinions or facts or whatever, please vote in the poll based upon which canadate you think would do the most for the United States.
Second, on a bit of a different plane, I'd like you to read the following statements on gun control issues listed #1-5 and match them with the canadate who made the statements lettered A-E. Post up your answers, based on who you think made what statement regarding gun control in the US. Feel free to post any opinions or thoughts on candates or in general.
I will post the answers on my personal profile in the hobbies/interests section so that everyone may have a chance to "play the game" so to speak, please when you post your answers, don't write up your score as well... give everybody a chance. Score doesn't matter, this is just to help educate everyone on who stands where.
All of these statements are official issued statements to the press made in interviews by the canadates, and I will be happy to provide anyone interested with my sources. Just ask.
Here are the canadates, listed in alphabetaical order with corresponding letter:
A) Hillary Clinton, B) Mike Huckabee), C) John McCain, D) Barrack Obama, E) Ron Paul
And here are the statements in no order what-so-ever... good luck...
Statement #1
Do you think gun control has an impact on crime rates in the United States?
I do not believe we should tamper with the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, and I believe law-abiding citizens have the right to own guns. The right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right that we have a sacred duty to protect. We have a responsibility to ensure that criminals who violate the law are prosecuted to the fullest, rather than restricting the rights of law abiding citizens. Gun control is a proven failure in fighting crime. Law-abiding citizens should not be asked to give up their rights because of criminals - criminals who ignore gun control laws anyway. Neither justice nor domestic peace is served by holding the innocent responsible for the acts of the criminal.
Do you think tighter restrictions should be in place for those buying a firearm?
I support instant criminal background checks to help prohibit criminals from buying firearms and have fought to ensure they are conducted thoroughly, efficiently, and without infringing on the rights of law abiding citizens. Federal law requires licensed firearm sellers at gun shows to do an instant criminal background check on purchasers while private firearm sellers at gun shows do not have to conduct such a check. I support such checks and believe that they must be conducted quickly to ensure that unnecessary delays do not effectively block transactions. I also oppose 'waiting periods' for law-abiding citizen's purchase of firearms. I do not support backdoor attempts to restrict Second Amendment rights by holding gun manufacturers liable for crimes committed by third parties using a firearm, and have worked to protect gun manufacturers from such inappropriate liability, nor do I support restrictions on so-called 'assault rifles.' I believe that banning ammunition is just another way to undermine Second Amendment rights. I also support the right of law-abiding citizens of the District of Columbia to bear arms, and oppose the confiscation of firearms from private citizens, particularly during times of crisis or emergency. Finally, I do believe in strict, mandatory penalties for criminals who use a firearm in the commission of a crime or illegally possess a firearm, and in requiring gun manufacturers to include gun safety devices such as trigger locks in product packaging.
Statement #2
Do you think gun control has an impact on crime rates in the United States?
No. I believe criminals will always find a way to get guns.
Do you think tighter restrictions should be in place for those buying a firearm?
No.
Statement #3
Do you think gun control has an impact on crime rates in the United States?
While I support the Second Amendment and believe law-abiding citizens should be able to own guns, I also believe strongly in smart laws that keep guns out of the hands of criminals and terrorists, which can help us fight crime. We should take reasonable steps to protect Americans from gun violence and, at the same time, safeguard the right of law-abiding citizens to use firearms for hunting and other recreational purposes. Illegal guns contribute to violence, and we have a problem when people acquire guns illegally or commit crimes with guns.
Do you think tighter restrictions should be in place for those buying a firearm?
I respect the right of Americans to own and bear arms, but we need protections in place to prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands. I support closing the gun show loophole and making sure our background check system is truly instant and accurate. Background checks at gun shows can stop gun sales to criminals, terrorists, and seriously mentally ill individuals like the Columbine shooters without burdening law-abiding gun buyers. I also support extending and reinstating the assault weapons ban while exempting hundreds of hunting and recreational weapons. And I support giving local law enforcement access to data that helps them track down guns sold to criminals and terrorists.
Statement #4
Do you think gun control has an impact on crime rates in the United States?
The best example of the impact gun control has had on crime rates is Washington, D.C. Our nation's capital has some of America's strictest gun control laws, and it consistently has one of the highest crime rates. It has been proven that tighter gun laws bring more crime. In contrast, those cities that most respect the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms have some of the lowest crime rates. Gun control laws only serve to take guns out of the hands of law-abiding citizens. Criminals living in cities with tight gun control laws not only ignore restrictions, but also have an easier time committing violent crimes because they have no fear that they may face armed resistance.
Do you think tighter restrictions should be in place for those buying a firearm?
The federal government, bound to uphold the Second Amendment, should have no authority to place restrictions on those wishing to buy a firearm. Gun store owners should be allowed to place their own restrictions in their own stores.
Statement #5
Do you think gun control has an impact on crime rates in the United States?
Yes, I do think that reasonable gun control measures reduces violent crime and saves lives. I respect the constitutional rights of Americans to bear arms. But we can't deny that gun violence has taken the lives of too many Americans. I believe that through common-sense measures, we can keep guns from those who may pose a threat, while also protecting the rights of legitimate hunters and sportsmen.
Do you think tighter restrictions should be in place for those buying a firearm?
I support reasonable, common-sense measures to limit such occurrences. I would close the gun-show loophole and require mandatory background checks on purchasers at gun shows. That loophole has been exploited by everyone from foreign terrorists to the Columbine High School shooters. Closing it would not impair the rights of hunters and other lawful gun owners. I also believe that we should make the expired federal Assault Weapons Ban permanent. Those weapons belong on a foreign battlefield, not on our streets. Finally, I support making guns in this country child proof. This is, again, a common-sense solution: guns and kids don't mix.
Again... lets here your opinions.... answers are in my profile...