Guns and partisan politics

May 11, 6:13 AMCleveland Gun Rights ExaminerDaniel White

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It seems to be conventional wisdom that gun rights is the domain of the Republican party, and strict gun control the goal of the Democrats. While this does sometimes seem to be the case, we have to be careful to not bias ourselves too much in this opinion.

Take a look at Ohio's last two governors, for example. Former Republican governor Bob Taft did everything he could to stop concealed carry from passing in Ohio, and the legislature was forced to override his veto of the first "fix it" bill passed after Ohio legalized concealed carry. He was followed by Democrat Ted Strickland, who in his term to date has done everything he said he would do in support of gun rights.

While it is true that many powerful members of the Democrat party, like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Diane Feinstein, Ted Kennedy, Chuck Shumer, and Nancy Pelosi, have shown strong support for gun control it isn't fair to label all Democrats as gun grabbers. It seems that there might be a shift in the policies of that party, as I'm seeing a lot of newer Democrats in the ranks who do not support gun control. This was highlighted by the fact that when Attorney General Eric Holder made comments about reinstating the so-called "assault weapons ban" and become the recipient of a letter signed by sixty-five Democrat members of congress demanding he not push such an agenda.

Party leadership also needs to keep in mind that many rank and file Democrats do not support gun control, and they need to respond to the desires of their constituents. The skyrocketing purchases of guns and ammunition in the last few months have not all been made by Republicans, and recent polls showing decreasing support for gun control laws cross political lines.

On the other side of the aisle, I've seen many Republicans who cannot be trusted to protect gun right, and some who actively oppose them. Sometimes I wonder if people choose their party based on which affiliation gives them the best chance at victory than which they most identify with.

The truth is, there are Republicans who support gun control and Democrats who oppose it. You owe it to yourself to find out each person's true feelings about gun rights and not lend your support or opposition based upon a letter next to their name. Regardless, make your stance on gun control known to your representatives, and if they decide not to protect your rights then show them the door with your next ballot.