Manchin, who rates an "A" from the NRA for his pro-gun stance, called into question the need for assault rifles, saying no hunter use weapons like that, as well as the need for 30-round magazines. Sen. Manchin says it's time for a serious debate about guns in this country.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/1 ... 14782.html

OldScratch wrote:Manchin, who rates an "A" from the NRA for his pro-gun stance, called into question the need for assault rifles, saying no hunter use weapons like that, as well as the need for 30-round magazines. Sen. Manchin says it's time for a serious debate about guns in this country.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/1 ... 14782.html

I'm going to start calling that guy Traitor Joe.

It's a very hard time to be a pro-gun Democrat or progressive. I think a lot of us are feeling a lot of pressure to support some restrictions on gun ownership from our friends and family.

Also, tactically speaking, Fienstein's proposed ban, if it's identical to the one she was talking about just before the election, would do things like outright ban pistol grips, and it would not have a grandfather clause, nor would you be allowed to transfer "assault weapons" you already owned to anyone. I have been hearing phrases like "a ban without any loopholes" being bandied around by people I know who are in a position to push legislators to give them what they want. We need to be willing to negotiate so that we can get a bill that's reasonable. Traitor Joe? No, let's save that line for Liberman!

OhioTry wrote:It's a very hard time to be a pro-gun Democrat or progressive.

Oh if only this douchebag was a progressive.

Backing away from latest version military/"AR" may in fact represent Pro Gun stance by some of the sharpest,most effective pro gun representatives.

It will be interesting to watch former Florida Republican Governor Charlie Crist. He has now registered as a Democrat and may possibly run for Governor again,after ducking out of the GOP. I know of his personal awareness of Florida law abiding gun community,outdoor legacy etc.He was too good for the GOP.The GOP retreated.And has become the 'pro gun' entity the public hears. During his campaign for Governor Crist championed his NRA endorsement,and produced literature depicting his pose with a Remington 870 Shotgun. Would he have posed with an AR??? Likely not.

The hardest right,damaging "pro gun" rhetoric is contracting. They have been the image of US. We will require something different.

We can be thankful for pro gun control elements generally positive references to legitimate hunt,defensive weapons.This is a bedrock element,and a reason there have been attempts to cast latest military/AR as simply part of a long line of legitimate,warmly embraced guns.

Take a hint from the Arms Makers for Responsible Citizens;certain Ruger factory AR high capacity clips were available only to law enforcement.

As an active gun owner and user during the AR ban I never suffered.I have not been inclined to pursue AR.I have been tempted to procure AR because doing so in the future might not be possible.(Two dozen or so 'traditional' arms deemed sufficient for any real or percieved needs) Guess what- as expected,it may go down that way! Congrats.

The NRA lost the Presidential election in the face of pro gun interests ignoring their endorsement.Things have been changing for some time now.
Hopefully we can look forward to a more effective pro gun narrative from the likes of Democrats,Independents and some Republicans who can now peer out of the fox hole.And hopefully no more from Sarah Palin. The stage is different now.

A huge army of active,lawful gun owners might be willing (relieved?!) to see the Gun Control Vortex center on AR,and their outlook and interests finally effectively acknowledged.That's just the way it is.

FloridaOutdoors wrote: Take a hint from the Arms Makers for Responsible Citizens;certain Ruger factory AR high capacity clips were available only to law enforcement.

...what?

"It's time to move beyond rhetoric. We need to sit down and have a common-sense discussion and move in a reasonable way. ...

"What's happened -- it's always been to the point when once you open it up, pretty soon you'll give up your whole Second Amendment rights, taking guns away and people not allowed to have guns. That's not what this should be about," Manchin said. "Millions and millions of people are proud gun owners, and they do it responsibly and by the law. So I think opening up and seeing the massacre of so many innocent children, it's changed. It's changed America. We've never seen this happen."

Manchin also said, however, that the NRA should have a seat at the table during the gun control debate.

A call for a common sense discussion? How dare he?

A picture of him enjoying some range time with an AR-15 is floating around.