More on Obama and Guns

On this Super Tuesday 2.o, it is only fitting that courtesy of the LA Times, we learn where Barrack Obama may hang his hat to prove his support for the Second Amendment. According to a February 29th post on the LA Times Blog , his vote for the Vitter Amendment that bans local governments from confiscating firearms during a natural disaster is the only distinction between Obama and Clinton on the issue.

LA Times blogger Tim Cavanaugh writes that trying to differentiate the views of the two Democratic frontrunners is not so easy, even when it comes to gun control. Does Obama support individual ownership or a universal ban (he has said it is an individual right yet he did not sign on the the congressional amicus supporting Richard Heller in the D.C. gun ban case)? Does Clinton really believe law-abiding citzens should be allowed to own guns (she also did not sign on to the congressional amicus brief)? He also poses the question "Are Second Amendment stalwarts right to view this as a choice between on gun grabber and another?"

Cavanaugh writes:

I give you Vitter Amdendment No. 4615, which was voted on in the U.S. Senate at 6:13 PM on July 13, 2006. Here's the text:

To prohibit the confiscation of a firearm during an emergency or major disaster if the possession of such firearm is not prohibited under Federal or State law.

The amendment, which was attached to a Homeland Security appropriations package, was approved 84-16. The bill itself was signed into law in October 2006.

Canvanaugh then goes on to refresh our memory going back to post-Hurricane Katrina period, when stories of mostly inaccurate disaster-area pillage gave way to revelations about how "incompetent police chief Eddie Compass and other authorities eventually tried to deal with these non-existent incidents.

In particular, some footage of cops manhandling Patty Konie — an elderly resident seen holding (by the barrel) a revolver that looked like something that would have blown up in Wild Bill Hickock's tiny hands — provided a shock even to those who don't normally get excited about such matters.

This was the context in which the Vitter amendment was introduced. Here is how the Democratic front-runners voted:

Clinton (D-NY), Nay
Obama (D-IL), Yea

For this gun owner, one lone vote does not make one a supporter of the individual right to keep and bear arms.

Hat tip to Cam Edwards for mentioning this on Cam and Company.