Montana’s junior Senator, Jon Tester, is putting his seat on the line with his support of Barack Obama. I covered it here before when he was actively pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes on Obama’s record. I was disappointed that he went so far to deny that Obama has an anti-gun history, and I still hope that NRA takes those things into account since it went far beyond a simple endorsement of your party’s nominee.
Now, Tester is being questioned about the likely future of gun control since it’s clear gun owners and those who had, until recently, only thought of being gun owners don’t quite believe all of those election promises.
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester says he understands there are plenty of gun owners worried that there could be new gun control measures coming from Washington D.C.
But Tester says Wednesday that he doesn’t see it happening. …
But Tester says he would be really surprised if gun control cleared a Congress focused on other issues.
What should concern Montana residents is that in the same article, Tester doesn’t promise to oppose any gun control that either Obama or Pelosi pushes. He just says it’s a “pretty safe bet” that he probably wouldn’t support it. How about an absolutely safe bet, Senator?
It is true when he says there should be enough pro-gun votes in the House and Senate to stop any gun control from getting to Obama’s desk. But it’s also reasonable for people to be scared and to prepare for a grassroots battle with even some of the otherwise pro-gun Democrats. It hasn’t happened on gun control, but on other issues, Pelosi has been pretty successful at keeping the Blue Dogs quiet. Those who have battled her have been punished. But so far, she doesn’t seem to have overreached on issues the Blue Dog’s swing constituents are following closely. It is possible that with the new majorities, she may try to go too far expecting the Blue Dogs to give in like many have over the last two years. If she does or if Obama decides that gun control is an easy (and free!) issue to pick on when all of the other left-wing issues are complex and expensive, then Jon Tester will have egg on his face.
Ya know, there’s all kinds of studies done on legislation, environmental, monetary, God knows what else.
Can we get some rights friendly folks to tack on an amendment that forces government to do a study on ANY gun control bill showing how it would actually impact criminals BEFORE it can come up for a vote?
It’s not quite “bigger government” as the people are already in place and it could be a bit of a stall factor and a “see, the goggles they do nothing” to slap the antis and fence sitters in the face with.
Unfortunately, Montanna is becoming a state run by and supported by fuzzy-headed liberals. The culture has dramatically changed these past 15 years – and my real estate broker friends point to one cause: Californians moving in and importing their uber-liberal views.
Montana conservatives are fleeing west to Idaho and south to Utah.
Read my lips… there will be no national Gun Bans coming out of Congress for some time to come. The Heller decision has pretty much put a nix to that. If there are any Gun Control bills proposed (and I don;t see them having a chance in hell of passing…), they will be aimed at gun registration and the selling of guns at gun shows without any kind of registration.
The fear running rampant in the gun community is unfounded and assinine – especially in Montana. Our state constitution protects us from it. That is why – while other states have seen a 37% increase in gun sales – Montana gun sales have remained fairly constant.
You sound like a reasonable person… Please don;t buy into the irrational fear that others are trying to perpetrate on us….
Moorcat
Montana Bullets and Blades
If there are any Gun Control bills proposed (and I don;t see them having a chance in hell of passing…), they will be aimed at gun registration and the selling of guns at gun shows without any kind of registration.
And I should be OK with that why?
The fear running rampant in the gun community is unfounded and assinine – especially in Montana. Our state constitution protects us from it
Your state constitution doesn’t protect you worth a spit from federal interference because of the Supremacy Clause. If Obama decides to ban politically incorrect semi-automatic guns, you’ll have to suck it up with the rest of us.
You sound like a reasonable person… Please don;t buy into the irrational fear that others are trying to perpetrate on us….
You haven’t been paying attention.
First, I didn;t say that you should be “OK” with gun registration legislation but I did say I don’t see it standing a chance in hell of passing.
Second, you yourself have said that a ban on assault weapons is outside the realm of possibility at this point, so the so-called “Supremacy Clause” is moot. Besides, the Supremacy Clause has yet to be tested in relation to Montana’s Constitution as it relates to Guns. The two instances where it came up, the Feds caved on the issue (God I love living in Montana…)
Not sure what your last comment means.. Are you saying that I am not paying attention to what is going on (totally incorrect, as a gunsmith, and knifemaker, I have to pay attention) or I am not paying attention to what your position is (again incorrect. While it is possible I misunderstand what your position is, I am obviously reading your blog – even if we do disagree on a few things)
Moorcat
The Supremacy Clause is well established. Federal law trumps state laws and state constitutions. Doesn’t matter what the topic is.
I should apologize for being harsh. I’ve had a lot of folks come in here telling me I’m nuts for thinking Obama’s going to push gun control, so I’m running out of patience for it. I shouldn’t take it out on you.
Once again, you misunderstand me… I am not saying that Obama isn;t going to try to push some kind of gun control. He has already stated that he wants to “close the gun show loophole”. My point is that Obama can’t do squat without the Congress-Critters support and most Congress-Critters are (excuse the pun) gun-shy of gun control issues right now. There is far too much Pro-gun sentiment running right now – in large part because of Heller.
I don;t think you are “nuts”.. In fact, for the most part, we are on the same side. I am simply a little pissed that the hysteria has put a number of types of guns out of reach (price-wise) for most people given the economic situation right now and ammo is getting rediculous.
I do enjoy reading your blog and have found a lot of good information in it…
Moorcat
Montana Bullets and Blades
I hope you’re right about Congress being gun shy. I really do. In fact, I’ve bet on it, so to speak, by not taking part in the mad rush to buy guns. I did buy one, but it’s used, and I didn’t pay much of a premium for it over standard pricing.