Gun owners should support Danny Tarkanian for Senate

September 9, 12:12 PMGun Rights ExaminerDavid Codrea

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Courtesy DannyTarkanian.org

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• Make politicians prove they support the Second Amendment

I introduced my traditional WarOnGuns Political Candidate Questionnaire to Gun Rights Examiner readers in July. In August, we saw Republican congressional candidate Chris Bunch give us the unequivocal answers we were looking for. That race has been decided, and David Harmer (who incidentally, has a scholarly understanding of the Second Amendment) secured the spot on the November ticket.

That was not unexpected, the demographics of California's Tenth Congressional District being what they are, and Mr. Harmer has an uphill fight against the odds on his hands. I'll return to that race in the coming weeks, but for now I'd like to look at another contest where the numbers appear to favor us.

It's a bigger race. It's one we can win. And if we do, it will topple one of our most powerful politicians and shake the Senate to its core.

I'm speaking of Danny Tarkanian's challenge to Harry Reid in Nevada. The "liberal" Senate majority leader (and prime mover with Nancy Pelosi on forcing Obamacare down our throats) can be defeated. Per The Las Vegas Review-Journal:

Although Reid's job as Senate majority leader makes him the highest-ranking politician in state history, his approval rating with Nevadans is just 37 percent, according to a statewide poll last week by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research...

 In the Mason-Dixon poll, voters also said they preferred Republican Senate candidate Danny Tarkanian of Las Vegas to Reid, 49 to 38 percent.

OK, but isn't Reid our friend on guns? He is according to the National Rifle Association:

"He is a true champion of the Second Amendment," [Executive Vice President Wayne] LaPierre said of Reid.

Gun Owners of America takes a less charitable view. They give Reid an "F." Much of that seems to be based on Reid supporting anti-gun nominees for the Supreme Court, the State Department and Attorney General, and those are legitimate concerns the NRA assessment appears blind to. Why shouldn't supporting our antagonists count?

And as the Review-Journal article reminds us:

Tarkanian consultant Jamie Fisfis says Tarkanian is as pro-gun as Reid and doesn't have the political baggage of unpopular government spending and an expensive health care reform proposal weighing him down.

"I don't want to minimize the fact that most of the people who are strong Second Amendment supporters object to just about everything else (Reid) does," Fisfis said. "It is not going to be enough."

I'll go so far as to say Tarkanian is more "pro-gun" than Reid. He not only would not support anti-gun appointments, he's also answered my questionnaire. And he did a good job.

Here's the Q&A:

1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land" and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges our birthrights?

DT: I am a lifetime member of the NRA. I believe that not only is the Constitution the supreme law of the land, but it has been frequently misinterpreted for the benefit of those who have big government agendas, who would try to limit our freedoms and reduce our liberties. I call myself a “constitutional conservative” for that reason.

2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by all levels of government, including city, county and state?

DT: Absolutely. There are too many politicians who do not understand the limitations of government. They see government positions and their power as a license to “social engineer” and infringe on people’s rights.

3. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider constitutional.

DT: The Second Amendment means what it says and those who would try to undermine it have the burden of proof to show that any “gun laws” are not prima facie infringements on the clear language of the Second Amendment.

4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.

DT: The Supreme Court was correct in DC v. Heller to strike down the overreaching DC handgun ban – which of course was completely ineffective in reducing crime rates.

5. Does the right to bear arms include the right for any peaceable citizen to carry them concealed without a permit, as in Vermont?

DT: Yes.

6. Do you believe that Americans have a right to own, use and carry weapons of military pattern, and will you use the prestige of elected office to publicly promote that right?

DT: Yes.

7. Do you support or oppose registration of weapons? Why?

DT: I oppose registration of guns because it is a step towards confiscation.

8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms? Why?

DT: Same as above.

9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?

DT: Unfortunately, there are many, many gun laws that infringe on the Second Amendment. During my campaign I will be releasing a specific list of which ones I will be working hardest to repeal as your Senator. Please stay attuned to our campaign for the release of that list.

10. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?

DT: Yes - as an example, right away, if it has not yet been passed, I will work to pass the Right to Carry Reciprocity Bill, which has already received bipartisan support.

Just looking at this from a political tactics perspective, supporting Tarkanian makes sense. Nevada is a pro-gun state--Reid doesn't dare cast overt votes against the right to keep and bear arms. This really is a case where we can have our cake and eat it too--elect a pro-gun Senator who also won't be propping us up with one hand while undermining us with the other.

But understand: The reality is, do not expect NRA to distance itself from Reid. They place a lot of stock in incumbents they have relationships with. Access is everything when you work the Beltway circuit. Which means we won't be able to count on the loudest voice in the gun community to pass the word along, let alone acknowledge there's a superior candidate.

Still, am I not forgetting someone? What about Nevada Republican Party Chair Sue Lowden? Isn't she also good on guns? Hey, Tarkanian is in the race. She's only considering. If she enters, there will be time for us to do our own considering, and this questionnaire seems as good a place to start as any.

2010 may seem a long way off, but it's not. Danny Tarkanian needs our help now if he is to establish himself as the one who can persevere in this challenge. Which means, at a minimum, if NRA maintains an expected silence, it will be up to you to help spread the word on this, assuming you agree. If you do, please share the link to this column with bloggers, with forums, with "mainstream" news outlets and with your friends-- and ask them to do the same.

While the choice will ultimately be made by Nevada voters, I'm sure many of us living in other states can see the advantage ousting the current Senate leader would give us all, and why it's in our interest to mobilize and help out now.

Filed by David Codrea/Gun Rights Examiner: 09 September 2009