Barack Obama will take guns away from the American people if he’s elected president.
No he won’t.
Yes he will.
No he won’t.
That was the course of debate at the Oakland County Sportsman’s Club in Independence Township last week as the Michigan United Conservation Clubs sponsored the Michigan Out-of-Door Presidential Candidate Forum.
The town-hall style gathering was designed to give voters insight into the presidential candidates? positions on sportsman’s issues.
‘I grew up in household where my grandfather was convinced if you voted for a democrat they were going to take away your guns,? said State Rep. Matt Gillard, who spoke on behalf of presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign.
‘We’ve been able to overcome that idea in many parts of the state. The Michigan House of Representatives is controlled by democrats right now, and we have not passed one single measure aimed at gun control.?
Gillard, who represents Michigan’s 106th District in the Northeast portion of the lower peninsula, discussed challenges facing the state’s outdoor heritage with Michigan Sen. Alan Cropsey, who spoke on behalf of Sen. John McCain.
Although the two also discussed topics such as energy policy, conservation and the state’s decreasing ranks of hunters and fisherman, the issue of gun control came up again and again
Gillard, who told the audience he’s been hunting and fishing since he was legally able, repeatedly defended against Cropsey’s accusations that Obama is deceptive about his position on gun control.
?(As president) Senator Obama will make sure any law abiding American can keep and use the guns they now own, and buy new ones,? Gillard said. ‘He’s not going to take anyone’s guns away.?
But, Gillard explained, Obama does support two specific changes to existing laws he feels would make the country safer without interfering in an individual’s right to own or possess firearms lawfully.
‘First he would support, as the (National Rifle Association) recently supported, instant background checks at guns shows for purchasing firearms,? said Gillard, noting Obama also backs funding for such a program. ‘He also supports a ban on fully automatic weapons; not semi automatic shotguns, rifles, or anything else we all own? but fully automatic assault-type weapons.?
But Cropsy cited a number of examples he claimed were contrary to Obama’s campaign platform on firearms, including a bill prohibiting operation of any gun store within five miles of a schools or park, the proposal of legislation limiting handgun purchases to one per month, and a vote against a measure that would allow a person who had obtained a personal protection order to carry a handgun for safety.
‘I think hunting will be OK under Barak Obama but (otherwise) you better hang on to your guns because they’re going to come for them,? Cropsey said.
Cropsey also cited Obama’s previous work with the Joyce Foundation, a charitable organization funding initiatives in education, employment, environment, anti-gun violence, policital and cultural in the Great Lakes region.
In addition, Cropsy also repeatedly referred to the 5-4 Supreme Court decision June 26, 2008, which overturned a strict ban on handguns in the District of Columbia and stated that Americans have a constitutional right to keep a loaded handgun at home for self-defense.
‘Most people believe the next president of the United States will appoint one, two or possibly three justices to the Supreme Court,? Cropsey said. ‘With a 5 to 4 decision, this is going to be a very crucial election to see if we can keep that Supreme Court decision as the law of the land.?
Thursday’s forum was moderated by Jimmy Gretzinger, host of Michigan Out-of-Door television.
According to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Gretzinger said, 1.4 million sportsmen and women spend $3.4 billion in Michigan annually and support some 46,000 jobs. And they vote: 90 percent of MUCC members cast ballots in last presidential election, he noted.
But both Gillard and Cropsey acknowledged the number of hunters and anglers in the state is decreasing rapidly, a phenomenon that will adversely affect Michigan conservation efforts and slow economic recovery.
‘It’s a growing problem and a real concern to anyone interested in conservation issues and hunting and fishing traditions,? Gillard said. ‘Many state game and fish agencies have existing programs aimed at educating young men and women on hunting and fishing, and training them in hunting ethics and conservation issues in general. Obama thinks we need to do more to support these programs and would also like to see us use the National Conservation Training Center to educate outstanding young students about the traditions and ethics of hunting and fishing and the principles of fish and wildlife observation.?
Such measures, he said, would help foster enthusiastic conservationists to lead Michigan us into the future.
Cropsey voiced a different opinion.
‘The key thing at the federal level is to have a good example of people in the highest offices appreciating our hunting and fishing heritage,? he said. ‘Teddy Roosevelt was a great example, and was able by his example to encourage that. John McCain, but to a greater extent Sarah Palin’when you have a lady out there who knows hunting issues, knows fishing issues and doesn’t just know the issues but is an active participant in showing people how it’s done, I think that may be the greatest boost we see for some time.?