Barack Obama gets a blunt question about guns

Barack Obama wanted to talk about the economy today as he campaigned in Pennsylvania, especially in light of the new government report showing unemployment increasing to 6.1% in August.

But gun rights, it appears, is an issue Obama can’t avoid in the Keystone State.

It was an issue that plagued him in his primary battle there with Hillary Clinton because of his comment about "bitter" small-town Americans clinging to guns and other things.

And campaigning today near Scranton (this campaign's "in" city), the Democrat was asked whether -- as some foes keep insisting -- he would take guns away if elected president.

The Times' Noam Levey was on the scene at a factory in Duryea, and he reports that Obama fiercely denied any such intention, and then explained his position:

This has been peddled again and again. Here’s what I believe: that the 2nd Amendment is an individual right and it means something -- that people have a right to bear arms.

What I also believe is that there is nothing wrong with some common sense gun safety measures. For example, that we should have strong background checks to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, to keep them out of the hands of the mentally disabled. We should have mechanisms to trace guns that are used in crimes back to the gun dealers that sold them to shut down supplies of illegal guns.

That kind of thing is common sense, and it has nothing to do with the guy who has got his rifle and wants to go hunting.”

But Obama had some choice words for the National Rifle Assn., which has been hammering him for months in its publications and plans a major ad campaign opposing him this fall:

Their general attitude is ... if you even breathe the word gun control or gun safety, then you must want to take away everybody’s guns. Well, that’s just not true.

But what we have to understand is that there are two realities about guns in this country. There’s the reality of people who are lawfully and safely using guns for hunting and skeet shooting and protecting their families. And you’ve got illegal handguns being dumped in Philadelphia, in the hands of teenage gang-bangers and drug dealers who are wreaking havoc and killing people. And surely we can come up with a system that protects lawful gun owners but at the same time tries to do something about kids getting shot.

Many have thought so in the past. But so far, as Obama well knows, that's proved a difficult challenge.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Guns kill people better.]

If Republicans want guns, they are readily available in Iraq. Our involvement there is a Republican creation so they should feel right at home. Go to it right winged psychos.

[anonymous]

Once again, Obama looks at the big picture and comes up with a strategy that makes *sense*

The people beating this to death are so myopic! I think the NRA opposes Obama because they see their lobbyist power is in some serious danger.

[The Heckler]

I think it should be noted the Obama said "Small-town Americans cling to their guns and god." Not "somethings."

[sam]

These kind of responses from Obama is exactly why i SUPPORT him 100%. Politicians dont always have to be witty or fake, and get the crowd to start chanting USA USA. I like the fact that hes sensible and logical and his responses show that. The right will keep attacking him no matter what he says, becuase they only want things their way, even though thier way is getting us in deep you know what. Lets hope that he can mantain is stance on the issues and more importantly maintain his composure over the series of debates as the right continues to use propaganda to throw him off balance.

[beevee]

Why is the NRA so afraid of having some sort of control on gun sale to prevent selling them to wrong people and endangering people's lives.Have we forgotten Virginia Tech massacre? The NRA seems to be concerned about not being able to sell guns legally than they are about people's lives. I think Obama has more vision.

[Curly]

The best gun control happens when the criminals understand that using a gun (or) a weapon in a crime will cost them dearly. It is almost to the point if a person is cought with an unregestered weapon in an area where regestered is required eventhough the person has no criminal record and is not commiting a crime will get a stiffer sentence than one who uses it to commit a crime.

You will also find where more guns are in the hands of citizens that crime goes down.

The problem is morality has declined and the wouldbe criminals have that they can get something without working for it!!!!

[Palinontology]

I think the gun issue has been cleared up by the latest Supreme Court Ruling about Washington D.C.'s ban. The ban is illegal and unconstitutional. This means only one thing, an amendment to the constitution would be required to outlaw ownership of a gun.

So gun owners (and yes, I am one who ones a glock 40, Walther PPK, and a Deer Hunting rifle) we need to get past this issue and ask who is going to keep our jobs here? Who is going to strengthen the dollar, wipe out the trillions of dollars left by Bush over the last 8 years that my grandchildren are expected to pay off. Who will make certain that HMO's and insurance companies keep overruling my doctor despite the almost $500 a month I pay for coverage?

That's what I want from the next president.

[Sydney]

I have a feeling the repubs, having nothing to run on, will push the gun issue, issues about sexism (but only superficially), family, etc. to get all those voters out there who love the reality tv show aspect of electing someone and will vote for them because of it. Sad. But that's what this country has become - and most of it is because the repubs want it that way - lack of education can breed ignorant, racist, bigoted people and that's who the repubs appeal to. If Obama doesn't win this time around I think that shows the world how sick this country really is.

[TF]

Obama Quote: "We should have mechanisms to trace guns that are used in crimes back to the gun dealers that sold them to shut down supplies of illegal guns."

Looks like Obama needs a refresher course on the rules already in place:

"When you buy a gun from an FFL dealer, the dealer has a very specific set of rules and regulations he must follow. The federal paperwork requirements are very stringent and allow the dealer very little discretion. You will need to show photo ID and fill out a Form 4473. The dealer must keep this form on file at the business for just about forever, and show it to the BATFE upon request. If the FFL later goes out of business, the BATFE will take possession of all the 4473 Forms on the premises.

If you are purchasing a handgun, the FFL will call in your personal information to a federal clearinghouse called the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). After giving information about the purchase to the NICS, the dealer will receive one of three possible answers from NICS: an approval, a delay, or a deny. If the sale is approved, the FFL dealer is given an authorization code which he will note on your paperwork. Delays happen for a variety of reasons which may not be immediately obvious to the buyer. Delays do not always result in a denial, so if your purchase is delayed, don't despair. The dealer will tell you when you can come back to finish processing your paperwork. A denial means something has gone badly wrong somewhere. If your sale is denied, you will want to find out the reason for it and, if justified, fight to appeal the denial."

Good luck on shutting down illegal suppliers because they are just that, illegal, and they will not now or in the future follow any law passed. Obama is blowing smoke to pander to the masses as usual. Again we see how much substance or experience he actually has.

[jm@RT]

Hey TF...name one republican that isn't constantly blowing smoke...it's the only way the Conservatives survive. It's funny how even though Media ownership is more consolidated, people are still of the perspective that it has a liberal bias. The press is now a machine of the right-wingers...it is apparent after this weeks events and the lack of coverage of the O'bama campaign in reaction to RNC. Guns and Faith are wedge issues and many are failing to protect there true interests as a result...and that is what O'bama meant by his famous "clinging" comment. I think if we all open our eyes we will realize that we are seeing the world through a conservative media lens...even the most moderate among us. We have absolutely no Social values anymore and the media is playing a strong part in destroying any chance we have to find a middle road.

[TF]

jm@RT,

You made the point exactly. Just like Obama, you attack and speak out of ignorance. You didn't address the topic of the article and are just as quilty as Obama of speaking in direct contrast to the facts. I listed the facts, both you and Obama choose to ignore.

Oh ya, I really don't think I need you to explain Obama's clinging comment. I think the voters will do that in November.

And that middle road you want, does that mean killing only half the unborn children? Better look at your social values.

[Trey]

I intend to have the option of shooting back in as many situations as possible. Look at Columbine and VT. If you had been in one of those situations, would you rather have "hidden" under your desk as so many students did, or have been shooting back, or at least hoping you teacher was armed? Enough said? Enough said.

[bubba]

yobamma already made it clear he thought that people shouldnt have guns..of course this was early in his campaign , now that the supreme court said it is OK and redefined the law he changed his mind.. again.... so what is new with this...no surprise this guy flip flops more than a cheap hamburger at whitcastle....

[Graz]

Why not just repeat talking point, TF, instead of finding out the truth? What kind of cockimamy Fox News comment is the unborn baby killer deal?

I own firearms and always have, but I also know that there are loop holes in some of the laws that are allowing people that have no business owning a firearm to come into possesion of them. Just one of them is the many states that had no restrictions in place to stop the sale to person that have a history of commitment for mental health issues. A gun is a useful tool in the correct hands.

[Al fom Ohio]

Just stumbled on to this conversation. it amazes me that people can actually swallow the Obama kool-ade so easily. It's interesting that no matter how many specifics the Republican ticket provides, Obama can get on TV and say, "they don't have specifics". He gets a pass, nobody questions it, nobody points out that there are very specific plans in the platform. Likewise, when the Republicans criticize the official Democrat specific platform positions, they are characterized as "bigoted attacks". Wake up people, this is Marxism taking over our country. I am scared.

Also, for the record, when Dem idiots say "McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time", keep in mind that, at least until the Obamassiah takes power, the Prez doesn't get a vote. Also, Obama voted "with Bush" 80% of the time.

I am an Atheist, pro-choice, conservative supporter of the Constitution. Period. Read it, it's a great document. Then compare the two sides and see which one more reflects the original content and intent of the Constitution, and which one is more akin to the 10 planks of Communism.

Don't take my word for it, look it up...

[TF]

Hey Graz,

Love the generalities. Lots of states... great argument. Almost as good as "Well I thought it was a good idea, but looking back, I have regrets" AKA O-Blah-Ma

[Larry]

Yikes, abortion is just a talking point to you, Graz? God help you!

[Gerald]

"So gun owners (and yes, I am one who ones a glock 40, Walther PPK, and a Deer Hunting rifle)"

Your Glock and Walther are still illegal in DC, despite the Heller verdict and your hunting rifle would have to be disassembled and locked up.

"we need to get past this issue and ask who is going to keep our jobs here? Who is going to strengthen the dollar, wipe out the trillions of dollars left by Bush over the last 8 years that my grandchildren are expected to pay off."

You will definitely need your job and money when Obama taxes ammunition 500%. Those of us who use our guns see Obama as a lose-lose situation.

[joe]

You just don't get it. We have gun laws and background checks in place already. We need to enforce existing laws. We need to keep criminals locked up, we need punishment for them not rehabilitation. This will have an effect on crime, not more useless gun laws that only affect the law abiding citizen(i.e. me).

[Chris K]

Obama believes in 'black liberation theology' and the way to give reparations to blacks is by playing Robin Hood with tax and social programs instead of outright cash reparations. Throw in a little marxism and class warfare, and you've got him nailed.
Why would any thinking American vote for Him?
He was in Jeremiah Wright's church for 20yrs, friends with home-grown terrorist and SDS member William Ayers.
Why would any thinking American vote for Him?
The other guy is a son and grandson of four- star admirals, graduate of the Naval Academy, a retired Lt Commander USN, congressman and senator.
Does that make sense? To me it's that simple.
Obama doesn't say he wants to change Washington politics, etc. He says "I want to change America". That is scary.
He must not really like this country the way it is.
I want to change his ass right out of here.

[Rosetee]

Politicians are good at hiding their true feelings but sometimes they blurt out. "Clinging" was one of those moments.. He is now trying to explain it, in other words trying to fool people.

[Nick]

To everyone who thinks that John McCain is qualified to be a POTUS because he was a POW, or his father and grandfather served in the Navy, need to get a reality check.

If anything, his extreme views on war, military, and conflict-- scare the hell out of me because he is a shoot first, ask questions later kind of guy.

World War 3 is an inevitable reality if John McCain is our president-- and WW3 will end in a nuclear battle. It's sad.

Oh-- not to mention, John McCain is 72 years old, is showing signs of Alzheimer's, Dementia, and I have read reports that he also suffers from PTSD which is why he has violent outbursts from time to time-- McCain will likely die in office if elected, making Sarah Palin (who is questionable herself) the most powerful person on earth-- all after being the mayor of 9,000 people, and governing the 47th most populous state in the union-- SCARY THOUGHT

[stan]

Haven't seen that Obama proposes much in the way of new gun laws, just defends existing ones. Hardly radical stuff, folks.

[smokey]

Talk about drinking the kool-aid. This country has been sipping it for the last 8 years!!! Put that glass down and open those glazed over eyes!!!! A candidate with connections to the drink mixer and a women who is out of her mind when it comes to issues like education, the economy and your rights!!! Sexist? I 'm embarrassed for my gender everytime she opens her mouth!!!

[SDS]

Got this off WSJ.com

What he is really saying is:
“You can keep your single shot shotgun or small caliber rifle as long as you are fingerprinted, have your gun registered, have your gun ballistically identified, pay a yearly fee, have no record of anything that would make you unstable or criminal in his opinion, and only use it in certain places that he approves and transports it to those places in a way he approves, and will agree to have him inspect it and take it away later if he thinks it is necessary for someones safety.”
Just a few ‘reasonable’ restrictions.. that’s all