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BY BOB KASARDA
bkasarda@nwitimes.com
219.548.4345 | Wednesday, November 12, 2008 | (23 comment(s))
Like other gun shop owners across the country, Lester Blythe has seen a jump in gun sales at both his Valparaiso and Griffith stores since last week's election.
The customers are primarily interested in buying protection-style weapons, as compared to hunting guns, he said.
Fueling this rush is fear that tighter gun legislation is on the way now that Democrats won the White House and strengthened their dominance in Congress, Blythe said.
The fears are not unfounded, he said, considering the last Democratic president, Bill Clinton, enacted a 10-round capacity on new semi-automatic weapons. There is talk of that limit being reintroduced, he said, as well as a tax increase on ammunition.
While the election has clearly reignited the debate over gun control, it is less clear what, if any changes will be pursued by President-elect Obama and his fellow Democrats in Congress.
On the day before last week's election, the National Rifle Association paid to stuff issues of The Times into a plastic bag containing the messages, "Vote freedom first," "Defend freedom," and "Defeat Obama."
As part of the same campaign, the NRA hosts a Web site, gunbanobama.com, that warns Obama would be the most anti-gun president in American history and accuses him of refusing to speak directly about his stand on Second Amendment Rights.
The NRA offices were closed Tuesday for Veterans Day and no one was available for comment.
Attempts to reach a spokesperson for Obama also were unsuccessful, but he too maintains a Web site, fightthesmears.com/articles/17/NRAflyer, calling the NRA's campaign against him "dishonest," "cowardly" and lacking facts.
The Web site includes a link to an interview in Field & Stream magazine where Obama acknowledges the Second Amendment is an individual right and says law-abiding gun owners can't be prevented from hunting or protecting their families. But he also said, "it doesn't mean that we can't have some common-sense gun control legislation," such as background checks.
Obama said he considers the assault weapon ban as part of the common sense approach since guns such as the AK-47 and vest-piercing bullets are generally used to hurt people.
Porter County Republican Chairman Chuck Williams, a gun owner and hunter, said there were enough pro-gun Democrats elected this time around, especially from the south, that he has hope there will not be any sweeping gun-control legislation.
"I don't think there's a liberal consensus in Congress," he said.
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JS wrote on Nov 12, 2008 11:25 PM:
The scary part is, there were many of you Obama Kool-aid drinkers actually nodding your heads in agreement until this sentence............... "
Just a Liberal wrote on Nov 12, 2008 9:25 PM:
Let's get it straight my friends, the Second Amendment isn't about the rights of hunters. We all have a natural right to hunt to feed ourselves and our families. We all have a natural right to protect ourselves, our families and our property. Those have been the rules since the beginning.
The Second Amendment is all about our rights as citizens to protect ourselves from tyranny, insurrection, or an outside enemy. The Founding Fathers wanted us to defend ourselves, our families, our friends and neighbors, and our property.
So let it be known that we all need to have an uninfringed right to arms. I want at least two, please. "
Get Over It wrote on Nov 12, 2008 8:39 PM:
Betty Whacker wrote on Nov 12, 2008 5:49 PM:
Please just come out and have a news conference to let everyone know that you are not going to take away my rights to own my gun.
Sound like a logical solution?
The frenzy may just stop? "
R Dub wrote on Nov 12, 2008 4:09 PM:
Nor do I live in fear that an Obama led government will be going door to door to confiscate guns & render us powerless.
Having said that I understand why the 2nd amendment is there and feel strongly that it is something that should not be trifled with.
The problem is within our society not the tools we use to tear each other down. It is simplistic and plain silly to think that making it harder to obtain a gun (legally) will somehow change crime.
If someone wants an illegal gun they can find one. Just like drugs, fake IDs, stolen TVs & whatever else you are not supposed to have. If there is a market for it someone will fill the need.
Its absolutely naive to think that any BS Bill passed by Congress will change that and gun violence will go away. "
Guns are useless wrote on Nov 12, 2008 4:00 PM:
Just exactly what are you doing behind those closed doors that you are so afraid 'someone' is coming to get you? Face it - the government can control you if they want - however, the government is us, it's you - if you vote. The government has bigger issues to resolve than coming after you. Spend your money on something that can benefit you, and calm down before you go wacko and start shooting. "
SwagerLikeUs wrote on Nov 12, 2008 1:54 PM:
And to R-Dub, your right, certain people should not be allowed to vote. Particuarly those who voted for Palin because she hunts or those who voted against Obama because he is half-black. Oops, I mean half-WHITE.
And I do firmly believe in ALL of The Ammendments and The Constiution. However, The British are not coming so you can settle down a bit. "
justice for some wrote on Nov 12, 2008 1:33 PM:
R Dub wrote on Nov 12, 2008 12:27 PM:
First let me say that 200 words per post can't possibly cover the "problems with Obama".
But I digress - taxation on ammunition & firearms is already in place. It's called the Pittman-Robertson Act. 11% of all Gun & Ammunition sales goes directly back to the FWS.
It does not go into law enforcement, it goes back to the environment. I don't think its fair to tax (more) the honest law abiding citizen who purchases firearms or ammunition legally. Why should I pay extra so the police can catch the ILLEGAL gun users?
As for the mandatory gun training, I get your theory but its just not feasable. Being a bad shot doesn't disqualify you from participating in hunting for instance. Believe me I can be a bad shot. But hey that means I buy more shells & more taxes going back to the resource right?
Put it this way, if competence were a requiremant on things then half the population wouldn't be allowed to drive cars....or vote for that matter. "
Details wrote on Nov 12, 2008 10:41 AM:
Problem with obama... wrote on Nov 12, 2008 10:37 AM:
R Dub wrote on Nov 12, 2008 10:26 AM:
It's the second amendment, right there after free speech. Thats how important the men who founded this great country thought it was.
It's one of the vital freedoms that our Veterans have fought to protect for over 200 years and that our surrent soldiers protect today. Yesterday we celebrated their sacrifices. And every day we should thank them for protecting our freedom & rights as a people.
Bad people will always do bad things. Guns will never dissapear. Understand that please.
The only thing restrictive gun laws will do is keep law abiding, responsible people from having them. And leave them helpless to defend themselves against those who do.
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
- Benjamin Franklin
If you are a conservative at 20, you have no heart. If you are a liberal at 40, you have no brain.
- Winston Churchill "
J wrote on Nov 12, 2008 9:52 AM:
amazed wrote on Nov 12, 2008 9:33 AM:
Fed up wrote on Nov 12, 2008 9:19 AM:
Rick wrote on Nov 12, 2008 9:15 AM:
Don't think it can't happen here, Obama's civilian security forces will be watching what you say. "
If I know .... wrote on Nov 12, 2008 8:41 AM:
The people who obtain guns legally are the one following the rules. We buy our license, we have the knowledge to be responsible with them,we know how to store them and we know when and where to shoot them.
The gang bangers and people who buy guns off the streets are the ones causing problems, and shooting up young kids. Do something about them first then come and talk to me. "
Common Sense wrote on Nov 12, 2008 8:31 AM:
These people need to read the Declaration of Independence as well, particularly the part noting when any form of Government becomes destructive. "
Thank GOD wrote on Nov 12, 2008 8:16 AM:
during clinton's presidency gun sales went through the roof. I suspect a repeat. "
Joe Average wrote on Nov 12, 2008 7:40 AM:
Yes, the Bill of Rights is part of the Constitution. They are the first ten amendments. Google "the Constitution" and read for yourself.
The founding fathers knew that one of the first moves leaders and oppressors make to control the masses is to disarm them. There are numerous examples throughout history, even in America.
The right to keep and bear arms not only made sure people had the ability to sustain themselves, but protect themselves from their government.
Why would we be concerned about this in America? Because it's happened time and again here already.
Not buying it? Okay. I wish you would have noticed. But consider that there is a movement to keep us scared, promote appathy, dumb down America, take away our ability to sustain ourselves by working in good paying jobs, eliminate the middle class, strip Americans of their rights and shift power to massive corporations, industry groups and foreign countries.
Guns are not the cause of crime, but they're an easier target than societal problems. "
Festivus wrote on Nov 12, 2008 7:22 AM:
Guns dont kill people wrote on Nov 12, 2008 7:14 AM:
TAX PAYER wrote on Nov 12, 2008 6:42 AM: