GOA Wins Big in Elections
Candidates back by the Gun Owners of America scored big in this week’s elections. Their official website has a full rundown but here are some highlights:
- California, Dist. 19 — Jeff Denham
- Florida, Senate — Marco Rubio
- Florida, Dist. 22 — Allen West
- Minnesota, Dist. 8 — Chip Cravaack
- Missouri, Dist. 4 — Vicky Hartzler
- Ohio, Dist. 6 — Bill Johnson
- Virginia, Dist. 9 — Morgan Griffith
- Washington, Dist. 2 — John Koster
Congratulations to these supporters of the Second Amendment.
Gun Owners of America Victories Official Website
Virginia Celebrates Pro-Gun Victory
Three pro-gun challengers have been elected to replace three pro-gun incumbents reports the Virginia Shooting Sports Association via our friends at Ammoland.
These include:
- 2nd Congressional District
Scott Rigell defeated one term incumbent Glenn Nye. This race was a wash for gun owners as both candidates received “A” ratings from the NRA-PVF. - 5th Congressional District
State Senator Robert Hurt defeated one term incumbent Tom Perriello. This is another flip of an “A” rated candidate for an “A” rated candidate. - 9th Congressional District
House of Delegates Majority Leader Morgan Griffith defeated 14 term incumbent Rick Boucher in what may have been the biggest change – one that foreshadowed how big the night would be for the GOP. Delegate Griffith has been a go-to guy for VSSA and other gun rights groups while he has been in the General Assembly. His leadership on the issue will be greatly missed at the Assembly but he will make an excellent congressman.
Virginia Shooting Sports Association
Daily Mail Offers Insulting View of Women in 2010 Election
It isn’t often that the American mainstream media comments on the British Parliament, but the Daily Mail in London seemed to think it was fair game to offer an insulting view of the numerous women (mostly conservative) who came forth to run for public office this year. The day after the election the paper offer an article took aim at the candidates’ support of gun rights and conservative values.
The paper sums it up best (or worst) with one sad sentence:
“Welcome to the class of 2010, the fierce ‘mama grizzlies’ who won US congressional seats and state governorships in the midterm elections.”
Where is Maggie when we need her? Maybe this has something to do with that whole Tea Party thing, after all look where that headed for the “Mother Country.”
GOP Take House, But Second Amendment Battle is Far From Over
We’re happy to see that the Republicans have taken control of the House of Representatives as the Grand Old Party as it is known tends to be friendlier to gun related issues. The people have spoke, and this wasn’t the result of some nefarious plot by the insidious gun lobby – which is how the National Rifle Association and other pro-gun organizations are painted in the mainstream media – to take control of the country. This was the will of the people, which includes hunters, shooters, collectors and just every day citizens that believe in the Second Amendment.
But the writing is on the wall, and we’re not out of the woods yet. Nor is it the time however to let down our guard. The Senate will still include a rogue’s gallery of anti-gun zealots including two Republicans: Senator-Elect Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), a co-sponsor in the U.S. House of Representatives of legislation to close the so-called gun show loophole, and Senator-Elect Dan Coast in Indiana had previously served in the U.S. Senate, voting for the Brady Bill and the Assault Weapons Ban.
Key anti-gun Democrats retained their seats in the U.S. Senate as well, and these include Senators Chuck Schumer of New York and Barbara Boxer of California. New York was lso a special case as Kirsten Gillibrand was finally “elected” to the Senate (she had been appointed to fill Hillary Clinton’s seat, which she will now hold for two more years). Both Schumer and Gillibrand have been foes to gun owners, while Boxer has also been a supporter of gun control. The NRA-endorsed Christine O’Donnell was also defeated by Democrat candidate Chris Coons in Delaware, while Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), who was appointed to finish the term of former Senator Ken Salazar, was elected to a full term. He has co-sponsored gun show loophole legislation.
We happy that Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) was defeated in his re-election bid, as Feingold has had at what best can be described as a mixed record on gun related issues, including voting in favor of background checks at gun shows.
But now is the time to think to the future, but to be on guard today. Only this year the EPA attempted to ban lead ammunition, while the State Department stopped efforts to allow the importation of American M1 made rifles from South Korea. These are both back door gun bans, and while the same mainstream media that sees the NRA as a cabal of evildoers bent on turning America into a Wild West, turn a blind eye to these efforts. Instead the media tries to say that the Democrats and President Obama have done nothing to impose new restrictions.
Except for the attempt to ban lead ammo, the blocked importation of those M1 rifles and the appointment of two fiercely anti-gun rights Supreme Court Justices. So while this is a time to celebrate our wins with the House, we should be remain on guard.
Election 2010: NYC Mayor Bloomberg Pays For Gun-Control Ad
How far will New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg go to press for his gun-control agenda? How about paying $500,000 (as in a donation) to CeaseFirePA to help air an ad urging voters to reject Republican gubernatorial candidate and Attorney General Tom Corbett? This is according to John L Micek’s blog on Capitol Ideas, which noted that Bloomberg wrote a personal check to the gun control organization.
Election 2010: The Morning Call Looks at Callahan and Dent
In the race for the 15th congressional district in Pennsylvania, The Morning Call notes the differences on gun related issues between Mayor John Callahan (D) and Rep. Charlie Dent (R). The news sites notes that Callahan has joined Mayors Against Illegal Guns, whilst offering this thought about Dent: “A vote for Charlie Dent is a vote for a candidate who supports the Second Amendment and realizes additional restrictions on gun ownership only affect law abiding individuals, not criminals.”
Election 2010: Americans United for Safe Streets Running Ads in Virginia
Even if the Democrats haven’t made guns an issue, some gun control groups are looking to do so this election day. WDGJ is reporting that Americans United for Safe Streets has been running a TV ad and distributing mailers in the 11th District this week aimed at Republican Kieth Fimian, who is challenging Democrat Rep. Gerry Connolly for the Virginia congressional seat.
Election 2010: Paultre-Bell Calls for Stronger Gun Laws
This week it was reported that Nicole Paultre-Bell, fiancé of Sean Bell (who was the victim of a police shooting in November, 2006) and candidate for New York City Council, noted that she’s driven by the need for better police relations and stronger gun laws.
There is no doubt that in some neighborhoods of the Big Apple the relations between citizens and police could use some work. But we have to wonder if Paultre-Bell’s naivety and lack of political understanding isn’t showing through when she calls for stronger gun laws. She has called reportedly called for tougher efforts to keep guns off the streets, and to this end we must ask what she has in mind?
New York City has a terribly difficult process for law-abiding citizens to legally obtain firearms. Rifles and shotguns, in addition to handguns, require permits. Countless types of guns, including vintage bolt action rifles are already banned outright and yet naïve politicians (and wannabe politicians) such as Paultre-Bell clamor for even tougher restrictions. Ironically guns aren’t really all that hard to obtain.
So is it the laws that need to change? Maybe the culture of these communities needs to change, and we think with that change, maybe the police relations would get better too.
Election 2010: McDonald Endorses Brady in Illinois Governor’s Race
Otis McDonald of McDonald vs. City of Chicago, has crossed party lines. The stalwart Democrat has decided to publicly endorse Senator Bill Brady for Governor of Illinois in next week’s election. McDonald has stated that he believes Brady will help protect his Second Amendment Rights.
Election 2010: 5th District Congressional Candidates in Florida Pull Out Guns
The big guns are coming out in the race for the 5th Congressional District in Florida reports The St. Petersburg Times. Democrat Jim Piccillo, a veteran of the 101st Airborne, has appeared in ads holding a “military issue M-4 rifle with a collapsible stock and laser sight” (according to the paper, but we can’t confirm if it is in fact “military issue).
Meanwhile, Hernado County Sheriff Rich Nugent is running on the Republican ticket and has the support of rocker Ted Nugent (no relation). This should make for an interesting race.
