By Richard Pearson, Illinois State Rifle Association, ISRA-FEDPac
Fellow Sportsman:
About this time four years ago, I penned an open letter to you that spoke of the Barack Obama I grew to know while I was a lobbyist in the Illinois State Capitol. At that time, I described Obama as a stony-faced liar who will do whatever it takes to force his extremist agenda on the American people. I warned you that electing Barack Obama would be something that hunters, sportsmen, target shooters and gun collectors would live to regret.
In writing to you four years ago, I backed my assertions about the danger of an Obama presidency by citing his legislative record. That record includes voting no less than 4 times against legislation that would allow law-abiding citizens to defend their families against home invaders without fear of being arrested or being sued. This shameful record of Obama’s also included his support for legislation that would run venerable Illinois firearm manufacturers such as Armalite, Lewis Machine & Tool, Rock River Arms, and Springfield Armory out of business.
I reminded you as well that Obama was a long-time member of the board of the rabidly anti-gun Joyce Foundation. As a member of the Joyce Foundation board, Obama approved the donation of millions of dollars to gun grabbing groups such as the Violence Policy Center and the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. Those, and other groups funded by the Joyce Foundation, are bent on destroying the Second Amendment to our Constitution – and Barack Obama was always there with checkbook in hand to help them out.
No indictment of Obama’s anti-gun sentiment would be complete without dropping the names of some of his close friends and confidants. First, we have renegade Chicago priest Mike Pfleger. Many of you will recall that Pfleger openly called for the murder of gun shop owners and legislators who were pro-gun. Obama is also strongly affiliated with guys like former Chicago mayor, Richie Daley and international gun-hater George Soros. Truly, birds of a feather flock together.
Four years ago, there was overwhelming evidence that Obama was no friend to the law-abiding firearm owner. Nevertheless, many shooters bought in to Obama’s bogus claims of ‘respect’ for the Second Amendment. To their detriment, they believed Obama’s assertion that he would not take their guns away from them.
After issuing my open letter to firearm owners four years ago, I received a lot of emails, letters and calls from hunters and outdoorsmen who told me I was wrong about Obama. They claimed that Obama truly understood the Constitution and that the breaking of his ties with the Chicago establishment would move him towards a more gun-friendly state of mind.
Now, four years later, I’m afraid I must say, “I told you so.” Obama has repaid the gun owners who supported him with the appointments of two anti-gun, anti-freedom justices to the Supreme Court. And, just last week, we heard Obama promise millions of debate-watchers that he would work to reinstate Bill Clinton’s ban on semiautomatic rifles, pistols and shotguns. Obama went even a step further by hinting that he was contemplating actions to ban handguns as well.
I want to make my 2012 message to firearm owners very clear – if you re-elect Barack Obama you will be giving him license to take your guns away from you. Through political and policy means, Obama will force you to choose between your guns and your family; your guns and your livelihood; and possibly your guns and your freedom. Obama’s plan to take your guns away is in motion. The only thing left is for misguided gun owners to give him the opportunity to do it.
I will close this letter the same way I closed my letter to you four years ago. I want to remind you that I’m a guy who has actually gone nose to nose with Obama on gun rights issues. I know Obama as someone who cannot even begin to identify with our nation’s outdoor traditions. Obama cannot fathom what it feels like to command the liberty, freedom, and individuality afforded by a 5-lb hunk of iron. Every bit of pride, satisfaction and security you derive from owning firearms is something totally foreign to a guy like Obama.
If you are a gun owner and you voted for Obama in 2008, you made a grave mistake. Don’t compound that mistake by voting for him in 2012. These are the sorts of mistakes that cannot be fixed – ever.
Sincerely,
Richard A. Pearson
Chairman
ISRA-FEDPac
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The ISRA-FEDPac is a political action committee affiliated with the Illinois State Rifle Association. Donations to ISRA-FEDPac are not tax deductible. The ISRA-FEDPac is not authorized by any candidate or election committee.