Op-Ed: Hunters shouldn't be fooled by Kerry's 'support'

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Published on Wednesday, 30 November -0001 00:00

Written by Jeff Garvas

September 13, 2004
Lafayette (IN) Journal and Courier

We typically refrain from outright political statements in this corner as I learned long ago that three people could only agree on political matters if two of the quorum are technically deceased.

While not afraid of controversial matters, I figure it is better to concentrate on our common ground rather than invite hundreds of rabid e-mails that call my parentage into question.

That won't be the case today.

Sen. John Kerry is going to great lengths to present himself as a pro-hunting, pro-firearms candidate. With even limited research, you will find this is clearly not the case.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

The official John Kerry presidential campaign Web site (www.johnkerry.com) says he is a lifelong hunter, supports sportsmen's rights, supports the Second Amendment and "will defend hunting rights." It sounds good but doesn't square with the real Sen. Kerry in action.

The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) says that during his 20 years in Congress, Kerry has been considered an "always reliable vote for the anti-gunners and has routinely voted with the gun-ban movement."

As proof, the NRA-ILA says Kerry has received a 100-percent rating from the Brady Campaign (Handgun Control, Inc.), The American Bar Association's Special Committee on Gun Violence and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. All of these groups are rabid anti-gun organizations.

He has also won a 100-percent approval rating from the Humane Society of The United States and Fund for Animals. These groups are not your local dog shelter committee but rather noisy national organizations that vehemently oppose hunting.

Kerry has also received an F rating from the NRA and a 0% rating from the Gun Owners of America.

Kerry has voted to extend and expand President Clinton's soon-to-expire semi-automatic weapon ban, supported Ted Kennedy's attempt to outlaw many types of center fire ammunition and helped defeat a bill that would stifle frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers.

The Kerry literature clearly states that Kerry-Edwards "will support the Second Amendment right of law-abiding American citizens to own and bear arms," but it also says that the candidate is "working for sensible gun safety" and "in support of common sense gun laws."

While we might be guilty of drawing a conclusion, sensible and common sense are two euphemisms frequently applied by tap-dancing politicians to things such as the Clinton gun ban.

Kerry is also a prime co-sponsor of House bill S.1431 that would give the U.S. Attorney General power to ban any semi-automatic rifle or shotgun based on a design "procured for use by the United States military or any federal law enforcement agency."

This is ironic when you consider Kerry's Labor Day campaign stop in Racine, W. Va. According to several news organizations, Kerry accepted a Remington 11-87 shotgun as a gift from Cecil Roberts of the United Mine Workers Union.

Some pro-gun experts say the aforementioned S.1431 could be used by an anti-gun Attorney General to ban the 11-87 on the basis it is used by federal law enforcement agencies.

Remington president Tommy Milner told the National Shooting Sports Federation, "Remington was neither aware of this presentation nor in any way supportive of Sen. Kerry's candidacy. In fact, the company remains amused by ongoing photos of Sen. Kerry shooting without either ear or eye protection."

The bottom line is that it appears Sen. Kerry and his people are trying to redefine the candidate into something more palatable to a significant segment of conservative voters. While such spin is a common practice on both sides of the political aisle, this particular topic falls into my meager bailiwick and thus deserves mention.

However, I will be the first to say don't trust me; research the issue yourself. You will find that things aren't always as they appear in soft-focus political ads full of positive images, hearty handshaking and slow-motion amber waves of grain.

Wheat, based in Lebanon, writes a weekly outdoors column. He may be reached by e-mail at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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