Will McCain Stab Gun Owners in the Back on Private Sales?

The Hill reports that McCain may be the key to getting more Republicans on board to criminalize private sales of firearms:

McCain could provide crucial Republican support because he has a "B-plus" rating from the National Rifle Association, one of the most powerful interest groups in Washington. His endorsement could bring along Heller, who has an "A" rating from the NRA.

When you dig a little deeper you find that Heller, who is supposed to be swayed to the antis' side if McCain jumps on board, has the same problem with the proposal that Coburn had - requiring private sellers to keep lists of sales - which means that the government would have to have a list of gun owners.

So, as we saw in the weeks leading up to the Senate Judiciary Committee being forced to fall back on a background check bill that Senator Charles Schumer introduced in the 112th Congress, one that would criminalize virtually all private firearm sales, even temporary transfers, the storyline is to make it look like an agreement is almost in place when in reality they are likely no closer now than they were then.

That being said, don't be surprised if McCain signs on.  He does have a history of stabbing us in the back.

Senator John McCain Speaks

I have never been a big fan of John McCain but this is the third time I have heard him speak at an NRA event. If he will vote the way he speaks when he does so before gun owners, he deserves the endorsement he received last year in his race for President. He says the right thinks when he speaks to NRA audiences. He said he will vote against the Clinton Gun Ban if it is introduced again.

Senator McCain was the third speaker to address the violence along the Mexican Border. He referred to the fact that Phoenix is the kidnapping capital of the world. He said we need to do all we can to assist the Mexican President to battle the violence they face but don't use that violence as an excuse to infringe on the rights of law abiding American gun owners. The Senator also debunked the myth that 90% of guns used in Mexican crime are from this country.

As he was last year, McCain was well received.

And So It Begins

As I said in my statement about the Heller decision yesterday (echoing those more knowledgeable than I on the Constitution and impact of SCOTUS decisions) yesterday's ruling was just the beginning. Following yesterday's 5-4 ruling by the Supreme Court in Heller v. District of Columbia, the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) filed a federal lawsuit challenging the City of Chicago's long-standing handgun ban. The case, McDonald v. City of Chicago includes Attorney Alan Gura, who argued the Heller Case to the Supreme Court and David G. Sigale, representing the plaintiffs.

I cannot stress how important this year's election is going to be for continuing to regain ground lost over the years. If Barack Obama has the opportunity appoint two justices that believe like him, the the Constitution is a living document (see his book "The Audacity of Hope") then yesterday's ruling will have no measurable affect on gun bans like those in Chicago because more lawsuits will be necessary to do away with them.

Gun owners may have differences with Senator John McCain but compared to Senator Barack Obama, the choice should be clear.

Senator McCain had this to say about the decision:

"Today's decision is a landmark victory for Second Amendment freedom in the United States. For this first time in the history of our Republic, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms was and is an individual right as intended by our Founding Fathers. I applaud this decision as well as the overturning of the District of Columbia's ban on handguns and limitations on the ability to use firearms for self-defense.

"Unlike Senator Obama, who refused to join me in signing a bipartisan amicus brief, I was pleased to express my support and call for the ruling issued today. Today's ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller makes clear that other municipalities like Chicago that have banned handguns have infringed on the constitutional rights of Americans. Unlike the elitist view that believes Americans cling to guns out of bitterness, today's ruling recognizes that gun ownership is an important right- sacred, just as the right to free speech and assembly.

"This ruling does not mark the end of our struggle against those who seek to limit the rights of law-abiding citizens. We must always remain vigilant in defense of our freedoms. But today, the Supreme Court ended forever the specious argument that the Second Amendment did not confer an individual right to keep and bear arms. "

For some good coverage of yesterday's ruling, go to http://www.nranews.com/. The archives have a DC vs Heller section and last night's program is part of it. Also, on Sunday, Gun Talk radio will have Alan Gura on for the first hour. Second Amendment Foundation's Alan Gottlieb will be Tom's guest on the second hour and both will be talking about the Heller v. District of Columbia decision as well as the lawsuits that will be filed against Chicago. You can listen online at http://www.guntalk.com/ starting at 2:00 PM Eastern Time.

Hat tip to the Shooting Wire.