Santorum presents mixed record on gun rights

 

GOP White House hopeful Richard J. Santorum

Surely, Richard J. Santorum, candidate for the Republican Party nomination for President, 2012 is supportive of preserving “our constitutionally protected” Second Amendment rights as indicated by his sometimes articulate advocacy on the topic in the media, and on the Floor of the United States Congress where he spent a 16-year political career, representing the People of the State of Pennsylvania, until he was voted out of public office in 2007.

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Advocacy for Second Amendment rights is good, but results are better, and when we compare Rick Santorum’s meaningful rhetoric to his legislative success rate in Congress, Rick’s powers of persuasion, fall all too short. 

In fact, a 16-year public record shows a politician with conflicting credentials, with not much accomplished.

Supporting the Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban proposal is probably Santorum’s worst offense. The gun ban, made law in 1997, makes it illegal for individuals convicted of misdemeanor charges of domestic violence to own, sell, ship, or carry firearms, for any kind of use, including individuals under a restraining order.

Domestic violence is a serious crime deserving of the public’s immediate attention, but “our constitutionally protected” Second Amendment rights cannot be infringed as a consequence. 

Santorum and his colleagues, barking up the wrong tree with a good concept, actually trampled over the Second Amendment like a bull tramples over its pasture. 

In this instance, Santorum’s influence was detrimental to the cause of gun rights.  Here is another example:

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In 2005, Santorum voted to force gun manufacturers to make locks on all handguns produced.  And while the measure did not become law, it is worth noting, Santorum was in the company of two notable and extreme gun control addicted representatives in Congress, Dianne Fienstein of California and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, respectively.

Seriously, the Second Amendment says nothing about locks, why on earth would Santorum, or anyone else in their right mind, support it? 

Looking on the bright side, OnTheIssues.org reports the following with respect to Santorum on gun rights:

• Lifetime A+ rating with the NRA; despite trigger lock vote. (Jan 2012)
• Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
• Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
• Voted NO on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)

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Still, after 16 years in Congress, this is all Santorum could produce, my opinion is that it is just not enough.  It is also not enough to dress up in an orange suit, own seven rifles, and hunt once in a while, to be a true Second Amendment rights’ stalwart. 
 
The proof is in legislative success or legislative failure.  You be the judge.

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