The LA Times reports on John McCain, the presumptive 2008 Republican Presidential Candidate, and his attempts at gaining the trust (and votes) of NRA members:
Many gun rights advocates are still enraged that McCain supports efforts to close the so-called gun show loophole, which allows people who buy guns from unlicensed dealers at gun shows to avoid criminal background checks required during gun sales from licensed dealers. In 2000, when Oregon and Colorado voters were considering ballot measures on the issue, McCain appeared in a television ad, saying the loophole allowed felons to buy guns later used in crimes.
In his quest for the presidency, McCain has worked to mend fences with gun rights groups. He joined more than 300 lawmakers who signed a brief supporting a challenge to Washington, D.C.’s handgun ban, which the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule on.
And Friday, McCain delivered a full-throated defense of the right to bear arms.
“For more than two decades, I’ve opposed efforts to ban guns, ban ammunition, ban magazines and dismiss gun owners as some kind of fringe group unwelcome in modern America,” he said. “The 2nd Amendment isn’t some archaic custom that matters only to rural Americans, who find solace in firearms out of frustration with their economic circumstances.” To the delight of the crowd, McCain repeatedly attacked Obama for his comment that embittered Americans “cling” to guns. “Sen. Obama hopes he can get away with having it both ways,” McCain said, mocking the Illinois senator for saying he favors gun rights but refusing to back efforts to overturn the Washington gun ban.
It now appears that McCain is not a pro gun candidate, but rather that he is the lesser of evils when it comes to an election filled with anti-gun candidates. Although I don’t trust McCain to support our gun rights any more than he needs to in order to secure the support of gun owners, I am confident that the rest of the republican party would keep McCain in line and protect our gun rights, should McCain be elected. The same cannot be said for either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. As a registered democrat, this whole situation is quite depressing for me.
UPDATE: McCain’s runing mate, Sarah Palin, is pro gun rights.