HARRISBURG - After reviewing Democrat Presidential contender Barack Obama's long anti-gun record, Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Robert A. Gleason, Jr. was appalled to see his clear disdain for the rights provided to Americans under the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution.  Chairman Gleason applauded John McCain for his call to punish criminals that violate the law rather than restricting the rights of law abiding citizens. 

"Pennsylvania is home to generations of law abiding hunters and sportsmen who believe whole-heartedly in their right to keep and bear arms, and I think many of them will be surprised to see just how anti-gun Barack Obama's positions are," Gleason said.  "After saying that he believes many small-town Pennsylvanians are ‘clinging' to guns because they are ‘bitter,' Pennsylvanians already have a pretty good idea about how Obama views them and their commitment to their 2nd Amendment rights.  Obama has a long record of supporting bans on many types of firearms, opposes concealed carry, believes the D.C. handgun ban is Constitutional, and has received ‘F' ratings from the National Rifle Association.

"Thankfully, Pennsylvanians will have the opportunity to support a candidate for President, John McCain, who believes in our Constitutional rights to keep and bear arms, and is committed to protecting those fundamental rights.  McCain understands that imposing more gun restrictions does not lead to a reduction in crime, because criminals ignore our current laws already.  McCain understands that we must punish criminals to the fullest extent of the law, rather than place restrictions on the rights of responsible gun owners."

John McCain opposes backdoor attempts to restrict 2nd Amendment rights by holding gun manufacturers liable for crimes committed by third parties using a firearm.  He has voted to protect gun manufactures from such inappropriate liability aimed at bankrupting the entire gun industry.  He opposes restrictions on so-called "assault rifles" and voted consistently against such bans.  As part of his defense of 2nd Amendment rights, he cosponsored legislation to lift a ban on the law abiding citizens of the District of Columbia from exercising their Constitutional right to bear arms.  He also opposes "waiting periods" for law abiding citizen's purchase of firearms.

Gleason concluded, "Pennsylvania has a rich history of being home to generations of avid sportsmen, and there is only one Presidential candidate in this race who supports our 2nd Amendment rights, John McCain."

OBAMA HAS A LONG ANTI-GUN RECORD

IN THE PAST, OBAMA HAS INDICATED SUPPORT FOR BANNING MANY TYPES OF FIREARMS

Obama Has Indicated Support For Banning Handguns, Hunting Firearms And So-Called "Assault Weapons":

In Response To A 1996 Independent Voters Of Illinois Questionnaire, Obama Indicated That He Supported Banning The "Manufacture, Sale And Possession Of Handguns." Question: "Do you support state legislation to ... ban the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns?" Obama's Response: "Yes." (Independent Voters Of Illinois Independent Precinct Organization 1996 General Candidate Questionnaire, Barack Obama Responses, 9/9/96)

• During 4/16 Dem. Debate, Obama Falsely Claimed His Handwriting Did Not Appear On Questionnaire. "Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., maintained at Wednesday's ABC News debate in Philadelphia that his handwriting does not appear on a 1996 questionnaire stating support for a ban on the manufacture, sale, and possession of handguns. The Democratic presidential frontrunner made this claim even though a copy of the original document suggests otherwise. ... When asked about the gun questionnaire with the handwriting on it, Obama adviser Robert Gibbs did not dispute that the writing was Obama's." (Teddy Davis and Talal Al-Khatib, "Obama Forgets Writing On Gun Questionnaire," ABC News' "Political Radar" Blog, www.abcnews.com, 4/17/08)

Scholar John Lott Recalls Obama Stating: "I Don't Believe That People Should Be Able To Own Guns." John Lott: "In fact, I knew Obama during the mid-1990s, and his answers to IVI's question on guns fit well with the Obama that I knew. Indeed, the first time I introduced myself to him he said ‘Oh, you are the gun guy.' I responded ‘Yes, I guess so.' He simply responded that ‘I don't believe that people should be able to own guns.'" (John R. Lott, Jr., "Obama And Guns: Two Different Views," Fox News, www.foxnews.com, 4/7/08)

In Response To 1998 Questionnaire, Obama Supported Banning "The Sale Or Transfer Of All Forms Of Semi-Automatic Weapons." According to his responses to an Illinois State Legislative Election 1998 National Political Awareness Test, Obama pledged to "Ban the sale or transfer of all forms of semi-automatic weapons." (Project Vote Smart Website, www.votesmart.org, Accessed 3/5/08)

In 2003, Obama Voted In Support Of Legislation That Was Supposed To Ban So-Called "Assault Weapons," But Was Written In Such A Way That It "Would Have Banned Most Of The Privately Held Hunting Shotguns, Target Rifles, And Black Powder Rifles" In Illinois. "[I]n 2003, Obama voted in support of SB1195, which, if passed, would have banned most of the privately held hunting shotguns, target rifles, and black powder rifles in the state. If the ban was enacted, law enforcement officials would have been authorized to forcibly enter private homes to confiscate newly banned firearms." (Illinois State Rifle Association, "ISRA Blasts Candidate Obama On His Record Of Hostility Toward Law-Abiding Firearm Owners," Press Release, 8/24/04)

In A 2004 Questionnaire, Obama Indicated Support For Banning So-Called "Assault Weapons." Question: "Do you support legislation to ban the manufacture, sale and possession of ... assault weapons?" Obama's Response: "Yes." (Lynn Sweet, "Obama's 2003 IVI-IPO Questionnaire May Be Getting Closer Scrutiny," Chicago Sun-Times' "The Scoop From Washington" Blog, http://blogs.suntimes.com, 12/11/07)

OBAMA HAS TAKEN A NUMBER OF ANTI-GUN POSITIONS

Obama Has A Long Anti-Gun Record:

Obama Was Director Of Anti-Gun Joyce Foundation, Which Spent Millions On Gun-Control Causes. "Adding even further skepticism to Obama's claim of support for the 2nd Amendment is his previous service as a director of the Joyce Foundation. Since 2000, the Joyce Foundation has provided over $15 Million in funding to radical gun control organizations such as the Violence Policy Center and the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. The Joyce Foundation is tightly linked to the Soros Open Society Institute -- an extremist group that advocates a worldwide ban on civilian firearm ownership." (Illinois State Rifle Association, "ISRA Blasts Candidate Obama On His Record Of Hostility Toward Law-Abiding Firearm Owners," Press Release, 8/24/04)

Running For The U.S. Senate In 2004, Obama Advocated National Gun-Control Legislation. "On the issue of prohibiting citizens from carrying concealed weapons, Obama said he believes national legislation should be passed to ‘prevent other states' laws [allowing citizens to conceal their guns] from threatening the safety of Illinois residents.'" (John Chase, "Keyes, Obama Are Far Apart On Guns," Chicago Tribune, 9/15/04)

Obama Has Expressed His Opposition To Concealed Carry. Obama: "I mean, I am consistently on record and will continue to be on record as opposing concealed carry." (David Mendell, "Obama Has Center In His Sights," Chicago Tribune, 4/27/04)

In 2001, Obama Voted Against A Bill To Allow Individuals To Carry A Concealed Weapon When They Have A Valid Order Of Protection Out Against Another Person. (S.B. 604, Senate Floor Third Reading, Failed, 29-27-0, 4/4/01, Obama Voted Nay)

Obama Believes The DC Gun Ban Is Constitutional. "Obama believes the D.C. handgun law is constitutional." (James Oliphant and Michael J. Higgins, "Court To Hear Gun Case," Chicago Tribune, 11/20/07)

In 2004, Obama Voted Against Self-Defense Rights. "[Obama] 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." ("Obama Record May Be Gold Mine For Critics," The Associated Press, 1/17/07)

Obama Wants To Turn Law-Abiding Gun Owners Who Are Victims Of Theft Into Felons. "Obama is proposing to make it a felony for a gun owner whose firearm was stolen from his residence which causes harm to another person if that weapon was not securely stored in that home." (Chinta Strausberg, "Obama Unveils Federal Gun Bill," Chicago Defender, 12/13/99)

In 2005, Obama Voted Twice To Hold Manufacturers, Distributors, Dealers And Importers Of Firearms And Ammunition Liable For The Acts Of Criminals. (S. 397, CQ Vote #206: Motion Agreed To 66-32: R 53-1; D 13-30; I 0-1, 7/26/05, Obama Voted Nay; S. 397, CQ Vote #219: Passed 65-31: R 50-2; D 14-29; I 1-0, 7/29/05, Obama Voted Nay)

Obama Pressed To Require Gun Owners To Supply Photos And Fingerprints To State Officials.  "Sen. Barack Obama of Chicago called the Democrats' proposed crackdown ‘not only constitutional, but eminently reasonable.' ... The proposals would: ... Make gun owners apply in person for Firearm Owner Identification cards and supply their photos and fingerprints." (Sean Noble, "Senate Democrats' Proposals Take Aim At Weapons Control," The [Springfield, IL] State Journal-Register, 2/15/01)

In 1999, Obama Came Out In Support Of "Smart Gun" Technology. "[Obama is] also asking that gun manufacturers be required to develop safety measures that permit only the original owner of the firearm to operate the weapon purchased." (Chinta Strausberg, "Obama Unveils Federal Gun Bill," Chicago Defender, 12/13/99)

Obama Has Expressed His Continued Support For Registration and Licensing. Obama: "I'll continue to be in favor of handgun law registration requirements and licensing requirements for training ..." (Chinta Strausberg, "Obama And Trotter Takes Aim At IRA For Waging Unjust Campaign," Chicago Defender, 7/5/01)

Obama Has Received "F" Ratings From The National Rifle Association:

In 2004, 2002 And 1998, Obama Received "F" Ratings From The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund. The NRA has given Obama 3 "F's." (National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund Website, www.nrapvf.org, Accessed 1/8/08; National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund Website, www.nrapvf.org, Accessed 1/8/08; 1998 Illinois National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund Political Preference Chart, p.2)

OBAMA: NO GUN SHOPS NEAR SCHOOLS, BUT PORN SHOPS ARE OK

Obama Wanted To Ban Gun Businesses From Being Within Five Miles Of A School Or Park, But Balked At Placing Similar Restrictions On Porn Shops:

In 1999, Obama Urged Legislation That "Would Eliminate Gun Stores From Almost The Entire Inhabited Portion Of The United States." "In 1999, Mr. Obama urged enactment of a federal law prohibiting the operation of any gun store within five miles of a school or park. This would eliminate gun stores from almost the entire inhabited portion of the United States." (David Kopel, Op-Ed, "The Democrats And Gun Control," The Wall Street Journal, 4/17/08)

• But In 2001, Obama Voted "Present" On A Bill To Place Similar Restrictions On Adult Establishments. In 2001, Obama refused to support a bill restricting "adult use" establishments by prohibiting locations of such establishments within 1000 feet of schools, parks, places of worship, preschools, day cares and other residential areas. (S.B. 609: Senate Floor Third Reading, Failed, 33-15-05, 3/29/01, Obama Voted Present)
  

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