Dems plan free gun raffle at fair (Idaho)

[X_Digger]

http://www.idahopress.com/news/?2009-07-23-Dems-plan-free-gun-raffle-at-fair

CANYON COUNTY — Canyon County Democrats will hold a free raffle for a rifle at this year's Canyon County Fair.

Party Vice Chair Thaddius Wenderoth plans to donate the gun, a Remington 710 30/06 with a Nikon 3x9 scope, because he was tired of having to defend his stance as a Democrat to fellow gun owners, a press release from the group stated.

"Canyon County Democrats are Idahoans who support the unique quality of life we have in Idaho," Wenderoth said.

Well, I guess it's not just republicans who give away guns.

[Cirque du So-What]

1. I hope the raffle goes off without a hitch

Expect the GOOPers to scrutinize this raffle with a fine-tooth comb to ensure that regulations are followed to a tee.

[Vinnie From Indy]

2. I've got no problem with it

The firearm is a rifle being raffled in Idaho. It is no more offensive or wrong than raffling a wheel of cheese in Wisconsin or a pair of cowboy boots in Texas.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

4. What if they were raffling the firearm in DC? Or even a handgun?

[Vinnie From Indy]

7. They aren't

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

9. You seemed to imply like it's acceptable to raffle guns in Idaho

as if it would not be acceptable other places due to a demographic concern of sorts.

What if they did raffle a gun off in a more urban locale like NYC or DC?
Or what about raffling an AK type rifle in South Carolina?
In your opinion, would that be OK?

[rd_kent]

14. Well, it is legal to do it in Idaho, not legal to do it in DC.

[Vinnie From Indy]

20. I still am unclear as to why you would post this item.

If it is your position that guns should be illegal, say so. Why pussyfoot around in your OP? I assume you are against Democrats in Idaho raffling a gun by your responses. If that is the case, I disagree. I will also offer that I do find the raffling of a hunting rifle in hunting country to people that most likely are hunters to be not such a dangerous thing. While I would not be supportive of all gun raffles in all locations, this one does not bother me.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

21. I believe we are on the same page did not know it.

I read your post as being OK with raffles in hunting areas but possibly not in other urbanized areas.
I was questioning based on that premise. It appears my premise/comprehension was mistaken, sorry.

I have no problems with firearm raffles of any kind anywhere.
A firearm is just a thing... no different than a car microwave, or toaster.

[Euromutt]

3. Good for him

The more Democrat politicians who make it evident by their actions that they are pro-gun rights, the more wind they take out of the sails of Republicans and their fellow travelers in the various gun rights organizations who seek to yoke the votes of single-issue gun owners to the GOP.

[GreenStormCloud]

5. I like his choice of guns.

Way better than an AK-47 pattern rifle. The 710 is accurate out of the box, shooting less than a MOA. Light in weight, rugged, and cheap.

[TheWraith]

17. I believe the Secret Service uses a Remingon 700 as the base for their snipers.

It's chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum instead of 30-06, but still, that's a hell of an endorsement.

[gorfle]

6. Hooray!

Glad to see it. This is a wedge issue that, if the Democrats adopted it, would knock one of the three legs of "God, Guns, and Guts" out from under the Republicans' traditional platform.

[Euromutt]

10. Since when does the GOP have a monopoly on "guts"?

Of the pre-Boomer generation, prominent Dem and Repubs alike all has WWII service records. Among the current crop, the only Republicans with service records worth mentioning are Powell and McCain, neither of them considered mainstream Republicans, while the party's claim to "guts" has been thoroughly undermined by a lengthy procession of guys who all had better things to do than participate in America's foreign wars. Not that I think there's anything wrong with having avoided service in Vietnam, but at least be honest about it, e.g. "I wasn't about to risk my ass in that clusterfuck, and seeing as how we lost you can't tell me that wasn't the right decision." That's a position I can respect, not "I had other priorities than military service" (to quote Cheney); yeah, so did everybody else, Dick, but they couldn't all get five student deferments.

[gorfle]

12. GOP=hawks

My point is the GOP is usually the party that is seen as "tough on defense".

[Tim01]

8. Good. It's about time. nt

[JonQ]

11. Fascist, irresponsible gun nut

probably covering up for his small genitalia. If that gun, or any gun ever is used in a crime he should be held personally responsible.

Oh wait, it's a democrat.

Nevermind. I have nothing to say on the issue either way.

[rd_kent]

13. And this is a problem beacuse.........????

[X_Digger]

16. No problem here :)

Just countering the brouhaha over the SC Rep doing the same, and some posters blustering about 'only in SC', or 'only republicans would do this'.

[rd_kent]

18. Ah, ok.

[Treo]

19. I think that was the point of this thread. NT

[proteus_lives]

15. Great, I hope the event goes well!

I wish I could throw my name in.