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Gun Rights Activists Take Issue With Gun Inquiry on Obama Administration Questionnaire

November 17, 2008 7:57 AM

Question 59 on the Obama Transition Team's intrusive and extensive list of questions for potential officials of the Obama administration:

"Do you or any members of your immediate family own a gun?  If so, provide complete ownership and registration information.  Has the registration ever lapsed?  Please also describe how and by whom it is used and whether it has been the cause of any personal injuries or property damage.”

The question has raised the ire of the National Rifle Association.

"Gun Owners Need Not Apply?" the organization asks. "Obama Personnel Questionnaire Shows Anti-gun Bias...the questionnaire does not ask similar questions about any other type of personal property.  For example, applicants are not asked to list any cars they own, who drives the cars, or what accidents the cars have been involved in—even though far more deaths and injuries each year involve motor vehicles than involve firearms."

The NRA says that while "past involvement in a gun-related mishap might be politically embarrassing, it is unclear why the transition team would find it more embarrassing than some other kind of accident.  And if misuse of a gun would cause an applicant to have a criminal record or to get involved in litigation, that would be disclosed under other questions, such as those about lawsuits against the applicant or applicant’s spouse, and about criminal investigations, arrests, charges or convictions."

The gun group states that since "only five states have statewide gun registration" and only "New York City and three nearby counties require periodic renewal of a firearm registration" it's unclear why registration is a subject of inquiry."

"One thing is for sure:  If the Obama team thinks these are good questions to ask job applicants, it’s only a matter of time before they’ll want to ask the rest of us, too," the NRA states.

Sen. Jim DeMint, R-SC, jumps into the fray, saying, “I am deeply disturbed that President-elect Obama is asking job applicants whether they or members of their family own guns. Millions of law-abiding Americans own firearms and they should not be discriminated against. The questionnaire already seeks information about illegal activity so there is no reason to ask this question unless the Obama Administration plans to use it to discriminate based on lawful activity. For this reason, I will seek to enact legislation to prohibit this type of discrimination.”

But sources on the Obama Transition Team say the question is not about discriminating against gun owners, but rather to ensure anyone with a gun has one within the parameters of the law; the question is not meant to be any different in scope than the one about whether the Obama Administration candidate has run afoul of any law or regulation, ever gotten a traffic ticket of more than $50 in fines, and so on.

They might want to take a look at Vice President-elect Biden's Beretta and his apparently extensive shotgun collection.

- jpt

November 17, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (76)

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ROBIN: I STRONGLY AGREE WITH YOU!!!
************************************
Apparently, you BO bleeding- heart supporters have tuned a deaf ear to his words. This man,BO has stated in his book dislike for whites,(as has his wife),Has openly supported gun control,and, buy the way, also stated in his book that if things get bad he would strongly support his Muslim brothers. Now then what more do you need to know. This man is dangerous to our country and freedom !!

Posted by: Robin | Nov 17, 2008 11:49:17 AM

Posted by: CYNTHIA F. | Nov 18, 2008 7:46:44 PM

JUST ONE OF THE MANY MANY THINGS TO EXPECT WHILE THIS "OBAMiNATION" IS RUINING--I MEAN "RUNNING" OUR COUNTRY!!!!

WITH THIS "QUESTIONNAIRE" HIS OWN WIFE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET A JOB!!!

WHAT A HYPOCRITE!!!

WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING!!!!

Posted by: CYNTHIA F. | Nov 18, 2008 7:29:41 PM

y'all need to sign up for 'Red Dawn 2'..
you folks are pretty damn funny

Posted by: Tex | Nov 18, 2008 12:56:21 PM

Obama wants to limit the ability of Americans to overthrow their own government. Criminals arn't going to tell you they own guns. Criminals arn't going to register their guns. Gun control only makes it easier for criminals to shoot you. Obama waves a job and gets law abiding citizens to tell him exactly where the guns are. He's clever that one. I need an assault weapon because terrorists have assault weapons. I need an assault weapon because my government is similarly armed. No thank you government takeover...I'll fight for my freedom thank you very much.

Posted by: Amanda | Nov 18, 2008 12:53:16 PM

Jenny
re: 'Does anyone know if the results of President Elect Obama's '

hmmm...I don't seem to remember the publishing of 'W's drug and alcoholic escapades, and where were all those lost 'reservist files'....

Posted by: Blue | Nov 18, 2008 12:52:24 PM

so, if 'lil 11 year old Tommy gets 'Grandpa's' semi-automatic rifle, grabs some of his ammo and kills a bunch of people, Grandpa and Tommy and maybe Grandma should go to jail for not locking up and securing their guns......right?, ....

my my, so many on the 'right' are suddenly concerned with privacy rights... except for women's or 'gay' privacy rights which don't matter because of religious affiliation trumps privacy.

Posted by: Blue | Nov 18, 2008 12:43:06 PM

"Please also describe how and by whom it is used and whether it has been the cause of any personal injuries or property damage"

Many guns used in crimes are stolen. I assumed the question was phrased that way to include that sort of thing as well.

As for 'Robin' and 'Sven Walinski' - try reading Snopes.com and/or Obama's books rather than relying on the latest ooh!ooh! email that's sent to you.

Posted by: Tom J | Nov 18, 2008 12:37:36 PM

Does anyone know if the results of President Elect Obama's drug test are published yet? Did he provide his original birth certificate to the Federal Election Committee?

Posted by: Jenny | Nov 18, 2008 11:44:47 AM

Ryan said: "I don't have any problems with gun owners or hunters.......... all I ask is that they be accountable for their guns and what they do with them.

NRA is trolling for anger with their 'outrage'"

Well, Ryan, virtually all law-abiding gun owners and hunters are very accountable for what they do.

And those that don't do the right thing, well, we law-abiding gun owners want to see them take responsibility and punishment under the law.

As for the NRA, I join them in their outrage because the question being asked by the Obama camp is intrusive.

The problem is that successful affronts to freedom occur gradually, so we must treat any small step towards an eventual ban as an attack against freedom because that is exactly what it is.

Posted by: Ashram | Nov 18, 2008 11:29:42 AM

b hussein is showing his true colors, a gun-banning liberal who "claims" he supports individual rights. I have to agree, he already asked about crimes, there is no reason to ask this question unless he wants to screen out gun owners who work for him. The only reason to screen out law abiding gun owners is to try to ban and then confiscate legal firearms.

Posted by: John | Nov 18, 2008 10:24:26 AM

the comment about "O" is concerned about his safety,give me a break! You really think that someone intent on hiring on with him with ill intent would answer that question honestly? and yes BLUE,the N.R.A.may well be trolling for anger because there is a very dangerous anti-Second Amendment fish out there.

Posted by: lakota | Nov 18, 2008 9:12:02 AM

I find it interesting that this topic has become a fore front topic. The world as we know it is changing, and we are getting ready to experience 4 years of uncertian times. The president elect depicts no traditional American Behavior of any kind, from all the credable information I have gathered, he has nothing to offer any sportsman,tactical shooter, self defence instructer, or any other profession that protects, any True Outdoorsman. The ouestion he is asking is a stepping stone to decay many of the fredoms we enjoy today. And in comparsion as Obama is involved with our troops being removed from Iraq, what Freedoms will this country become deprived from, this is cause, and effect, the cause is Control, Obama wants to control, he lacks the view of Life, because he supports Partial Birth Abortion. My Family has been in US from the beginning, and I can see the future under this new adminstration will be met with great,and challanging debate. It is time to Stand Up, and Voice our Opion's, we are the one's who have the control if we choose too. "This Country is Goverend By The People, Not The Person!!!!!" Ranger62

Posted by: Ranger62 | Nov 18, 2008 6:54:34 AM

Jenny Rome: I believe its call invading people's privacy. That's what happens when you think you voted for someone that was suppose to change Washington not rule the people. And don't look for that change because it is not going to happen. I didn't vote for him and even though McCain lost I feel that I voted for a better candidate and have no regrets. With McCain that application would never exist.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | Nov 18, 2008 12:19:13 AM

Ryan: Blame this generation of college students that voted for him 100%. I don't give them credit for having brains. Of course Obama was desperate to win the presidency so he could rule the people of this country. I don't think its any of Obama's business who owns a gun. John Kerry owns a gun. I wonder if he filled out an application. And there's another senator that owns one also. They both shoot birds. If I am correct I am willing to bet the majority of the senator's have guns in their house.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | Nov 18, 2008 12:11:07 AM

if you notice the questionnaire does not ask about
bazookas, SAM's. RPG's, artillery, napalm, phosphorous, etc.

Military surplus stores await your orders to keep you "safe'.......

Posted by: Blue | Nov 17, 2008 11:48:34 PM

I think he has to be careful,if you received death threats all the time would want to hire people who are registered gun owners? He's got to think of his family's life and then his own.

I think it is one thing to want to protect your family from danger. It is another thing when that danger is following you around.

Posted by: Protection | Nov 17, 2008 11:36:04 PM

Is it true that the questionnaire does not ask about illegal drug use? That would be interesting since BO admits that he used to used cocaine.

Posted by: Keepyourheelsdown | Nov 17, 2008 11:16:21 PM

Why doesn't he ask if the applicant has ever used a firearm in self defense?

Answer: In Obamaworld this does not and cannot happen!

Posted by: Woodpiggie | Nov 17, 2008 10:40:54 PM

"Please also describe how and by whom it is used and whether it has been the cause of any personal injuries or property damage"

"O" and his people cannot grasp that an object doesn't "cause" injury or damage.
These folks are suspicious of inanimate objects?

"What's the big deal?" Our RKBA is a basic human right - it's none of "O"'s business if an employee owns a gun.

Posted by: Doug | Nov 17, 2008 9:45:04 PM

How many other presidents have ever asked this question? Is it standard to get a job in the government? I think it is an invasion of privacy. Obama scares the daylights out of me because he is going to tell me that I cannot protect myself.

Posted by: Judy | Nov 17, 2008 9:22:05 PM

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