June 26, 2008

Obama Takes Middle Road on Gun Ban Ruling

@ 2:29 pm by Walter Alarkon

Barack Obama delicately waded into the debate over the Supreme Court's decision to strike down Washington, D.C.'s handgun ban.

Asked on Fox Business for his reaction, he said cities have a right to "common sense" gun control laws while individuals have the right to bear arms.

"Well, you know, I have said consistently that I believe the Second Amendment is an individual right," he said. "And that was the essential decision that the Supreme Court came down on. And it also recognized that even though we have an individual right to bear arms, that right can be limited by sensible, reasonable gun laws."

He continued: "The D.C. law, according to the Supreme Court, went too far. And now the key is going to be, I think, for us to come together and say, people do have an individual right. And there's nothing wrong with common sense gun laws, background checks, keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, those who are mentally ill and creating what I think is a common sense belief among people that we can both uphold our traditions with respect to firearms and prevent the senseless killings that we see on the streets of so many American cities."

His answer echoed his cautious statement released through his campaign: "I have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms, but I also identify with the need for crime-ravaged communities to save their children from the violence that plagues our streets through common-sense, effective safety measures."

Obama was interviewed at an economic summit at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

Talking to Fox Business's Alexis Glick, Obama dismissed a CEO's suggestion that his rhetoric on the economy has been too negative.

"Well, look, I think if anybody tracks my campaign, we've had about as positive a presidential campaign as you've seen in maybe a generation," he said. "I mean, we have talked about bringing people together, making sure that we don't get in the same ideological battles and ruts that we've been in for the last two decades."

He added: "There's no doubt that sometimes the testosterone kicks in and you start getting more combative than you need to."

Watch the interview below.

Archived under: Campaigns, News, Presidential Campaigns
Tags: Barack Obama, Handgun ban, Supreme Court

8 Comments »

1. The fact is, Mr. Obama never met a gun control law he did not like. He, or his advisors, know that there are lots of voters out there, including millions of Democrats who own guns, and he must be careful to conceal the fact that he would prefer far stricter gun laws, like those in his home district, to be nationwide.

   Comment by Jason in Iowa — June 26, 2008 @ 3:13 pm

2. Obama is always on both sides of an issue. Whichever way the wind is blowing at the time!

   Comment by Debbie Granger — June 26, 2008 @ 3:15 pm

3. He stated earlier in his campaign last year who important guns are to rural people for protection being that police are nowhere to be found when needed.

   So after all these years of gun control laws he helped sponsor and pass, out of the blue he likes guns.

   Interesting……

   Comment by Concerned Citizen — June 26, 2008 @ 3:34 pm

4. What Obama leaves out every time he talks about guns are the specifics of what his "common sense" gun laws are. He is against semi automatics period which include rifles, shotguns, pistols, and even revolvers simply because you can pull the trigger and a firearm will go bang without any slow down. So unless you want to have to protect your family with a bolt action don't vote for this flip flopping agent of socialism. Hell the only difference between socialism and communism is that communists are honest. They let you know straight up that they don't want you to have rights where socialists eat away at them one at a time and try to convince you it is in your best interests.

   Comment by Daniel Tucker — June 26, 2008 @ 4:03 pm

5. I think he lies too much. He will appoint a court that Pelosi, Reid, &Dean see fit. Which will try to take our weapons. obama is a liberal. And sat in that church for 20 years. No we can't, he is a major risk.

   Comment by m-antony — June 26, 2008 @ 4:31 pm

6. I am pretty sure that if you go back to the debates with Clinton, Obama sidestepped the question about this particular issue that was pending. Now that the court rendered their decision, he says that he's always considered the 2nd ammendmend to be an individual right. So glad the courts agreed with him!

   Comment by TG — June 26, 2008 @ 4:36 pm

7. The man is a snake oil salesman from Illinois. Be very careful in November. Look for someone that will start change in your favor rather than governments favor. I think we have all learned a lesson about the old saying, "Hi, I'm from the government and I'm here to help." The second amendment is also about personal responsibility. So start thinking and listening and be ready for November. 40 years is a long way to go hanging on every word a politicians says.

   Comment by Sock Ray Blue — June 26, 2008 @ 4:49 pm

8. The only numbers to remember "5-4″ do we want a Justice appointed by this man?

   Comment by Patrick — June 27, 2008 @ 7:26 am

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