President-Elect Barack Obama came out on multiple occasions during his campaign, claiming to support the Second Amendment. However, Obama’s history on gun control should make every freedom loving American pause and think about what the future has in store for us.
Obama made the statement this last Sunday at a news conference, in concern about the recent trend of firearm sales being extremely high, that gun-owning Americans do not need to rush out and stock up before he is sworn in next month.
“I believe in common-sense gun safety laws, and I believe in the second amendment. Lawful gun owners have nothing to fear. I said that throughout the campaign. I haven’t indicated anything different during the transition. I think people can take me at my word.”
The problem is, we can’t take him at his word. All you have to do is look at his track record.
- Starting in 1994, Obama served on the board of the Joyce Foundation for eight years. The Joyce Foundation is the largest private organization providing funding of anti-firearm research in the country. Though the board does not officially list the votes taken on proposals to submit, they have claimed to not release a proposal without a unanimous decision of the board.
- In 1996, Obama supported a proposed ban on handguns. (Obama claims this was a staffer mistake, but the survey paper has Obama’s own handwritten comments all over it.)
- In 1998, Obama backed a proposed ban on sale of all semiautomatic guns.
- In 2000, Obama cosponsored a bill to limit handgun purchases to one per month.
- In 2003, Obama voted for a bill which would have effectively outlawed most hunting and black powder rifles in the state. (IL. SB 1195)
- In 2004, Obama advocated banning gun sales within five miles of a school (as if this could solve anything.)
- In 2004, the Associated Press reports, “He [Obama] also opposed letting people use a self-defense argument if charged with violating local handgun bans by using weapons in their homes. The bill was a reaction to a Chicago-area man who, after shooting an intruder, was charged with a handgun violation.” (IL. SB 2165)
- During the Illinois Senate Debate #3, on Oct 21, 2004, where he debated against Alan Keys, Obama is quoted as saying, “Let’s be honest. Mr. Keyes does not believe in common gun control measures like the assault weapons bill. Mr. Keyes does not believe in any limits from what I can tell with respect to the possession of guns, including assault weapons that have only one purpose, to kill people. I think it is a scandal that this president did not authorize a renewal of the assault weapons ban. “ Obama’s current agenda after being proclaimed President-Elect, includes making the expired federal assault weapons ban permanent.
- When in the Chicago state senate, Obama talked repeatedly about licensing and registering gun owners.
Obama’s pick for Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel is also a rabid anti-gun voter in Illinois. Eric Holder, Obama’s pick for Attorney General, served as Deputy Attorney General during the Clinton administration, where he showed a marked anti-gun philosophy. Do we even need to mention Hillary Clinton, Obama’s pick for Secretary of State? We know her stance from Bill’s term in office.
When you add it all up, Obama represents the most strident gun-grabber to have ever been elected President. If you thought the Clinton years were bad, hold on to your hat – Obama’s term is going to be far, far worse.
Tags: gun control, obama
