from ssgmarkcr
I couldn't pass this one up considering the recent talk of irresponsible conservative politicians and their support from pro gun groups. This even sort of applies to your post regarding to pro gun politicians being photographed holding guns to garner votes. Well, it seems that antigun politicians aren't immune either.
In this case, its incumbent Rick Nolan, who is being challenged by Republican Stuart Mills III. Then Mr. Nolan spoke about his campaign at my class on state and local government in Brainerd when he was challenging and won the seat from Republican incumbent Chip Cravaak. After his talk, I had the opportunity to ask him up front his position on Second Amendment issues, and as most politicians do, he said he supported it. However, when asked if he supported the DFL Party platform, claimed he hadn't read it yet, said hunters don't need an assault rifle (his words), then rushed off claiming an appointment.
So imagine my surprise/glee when this politician who makes no secret of his wish to ban assault weapons apparently tweets a photo of himself holding one of those evil rifles.
http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/276952411.html
The photograph's depiction of not only his hypocrisy and his weapon handling technique needless to say supplies ammo (pun intended) to his opponents.
"The Minnesota Gun Owners Political Action Committee has offered to pay for firearms training for Democratic congressman Rick Nolan at the chain of retail stores owned by the family of his Republican opponent, Stewart Mills.
The offer came in response to a picture posted to Nolan’s Twitter account Wednesday showing the congressman holding an AR-15 rile with his finger on the trigger while surrounded by supporters."
Gun rights have emerged as a key issue in the Eighth Congressional District race. Mills released a campaign ad this summer that claimed Nolan is among the politicians who “have no respect for the Second Amendment.”
Nolan earned a ‘F’ rating The National Rifle Association’s Political Victory Fund, but dismissed Mills’ ad as a “big lie, smear tactic.” Nolan aides said the congressman declined comment on Strawser’s offer.
“The basic rules of firearms safety, taught to students as young as 12 in [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources] hunter safety classes, state clearly that one’s finger should be kept off the trigger until ready to shoot,” Strawser said.
“It’s nothing short of hypocritical for Mr. Nolan to be photographed at what appears to be a campaign event while holding an AR-15 rifle,” Strawser said. “Mr. Nolan has specifically called for a ban on the very rifle he is holding in this photograph.”
The Minnesota Gun Owners PAC offered to buy firearms training for Nolan at Mills Fleet Farm Indoor Shooting location in Baxter.
But the political point was to challenge a Nolan assertion. During an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” said that “I don’t need an assault rifle to shoot a duck or protect my family.”
This campaign holds a personal interest to me in that I live in the 8th District and am also a member of the PAC who has kindly offered to show the good Congressman the proper way to hold a firearm. In fact, I recently won 1,600 rounds of ammo at a fundraising drawing for the group.
