Obama’s record on gun control differs from ads

By The Standard Staff - 05/30/2008

Recently, Sen. Barack Obama has been running radio ads in Montana declaring that he is a friend of gun owners and sportsmen, and promising to protect our right to own guns and continue to enjoy our hunting

heritage.

Here is Obama’s past record on gun

ownership issues:

In 1996 Obama’s Illinois state senate

campaign answered a questionnaire indicating his support for a blanket ban on the

manufacture, sale, and possession of handguns in Illinois.

In 2000, Obama sponsored a “one-gun-a-month” law for the residents of Illinois, (they could not buy more than one gun in any one month).

Obama has supported bans on ammunition magazines, to require the use of gun locks on all guns, supported renewal of the 1994 Clinton gun ban, and California style

registration.

In July 2005, Obama voted against the “Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act,” which was passed to keep those who manufacture firearms from being sued when a crime is committed with one of their

products.

He proposed a federal law banning licensed firearm dealers from operating within five miles of any school or park, nationwide. This would effectively close down most gun shops throughout the

country.

In 1999, on a vote in the Illinois Senate on whether to try teenage gang-bangers as adults when they fire a gun on or near a school ground, Obama voted “present,” (which equates to a “no.”).

In 2001, when Illinois lawmakers tried to control rampant gang violence by making gang members eligible for the death penalty when they commit murder to help their gang, Obama voted against the measure.

He opposes right-to-carry laws and

supports federal legislation to ban the right to carry for everyone but police officers.

Obama supports Washington, D.C.’s total ban on handguns in the home for self defense.

His record shows that he is about as anti-gun as anyone can be. He is totally misrepresenting his position on gun ownership to the voters of Montana. I hope we all keep this in mind on Election Day.

Dale L. Harthan

P.O. Box 403

Philipsburg