The Usual NRA Board Candidate Questionnaire- 2007

Voting members have until March 25 to get their ballots for NRA Board of Directors mailed in and received. As usual, the Nominating Committee has selected a group of candidates to perpetuate "The Winning Team." As usual, another faction is urging us to vote for outsiders. And as usual, some opinion makers are urging us to vote based on their personal experience with or devotion to particular candidates.

So what to do?

As usual, The War on Guns has prepared a questionnaire, designed to separate the Freedom Fighters from the Fuddites. And as usual, I don't expect any candidate to put their stance in the public record for scrutiny, so as usual, I don't expect I'll be voting (again) this year.

Here it is. If you're a candidate who wants my vote and endorsement, fill in the answers, send it back to me, and if you get them right, I'll do what I can to support you.

To those of you who are voting members and would like to see candidates answer these questions: Use them yourselves. One of the reasons these are ignored is because I'm the only one asking them. If each candidate received numerous demands, do you think they'd be so quick to discount any need to respond? If you get a reply, let me know about it.

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1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land" and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges the birthrights of all Americans?

2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by all levels of government, including city, county and state?

3. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider constitutional.

4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.

5. Does the right to bear arms include the right for any peaceable citizen to carry them concealed without a permit, as in Vermont?

6. Do you believe that Americans have a right to own, use and carry weapons of military pattern?

7. Do you support or oppose Project Exile, and do you agree with current NRA management’s call to “enforce existing gun laws”?

8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms? Why?

9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?

10. If elected to the NRA Board, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?

11. Do you agree with the way NRA assigns political ratings? If not, what would you change and why? Who would you have given a different rating to, what would it been and why?

12. Do you disagree with any policies being promulgated by NRA management? What is you biggest area of dissent? Have you offered superior alternatives and worked with others to implement them?

13. Have you ever publicly spoken out against an NRA position because you thought it was wrong? When, where, and what were the results?

14. What reforms do you think are needed at NRA and why?

15. If elected, how will you inform members of your performance and voting record? Will you let us know when you dissent and why?

16. Do you agree with Executive VP Wayne LaPierre, who stated: "[W]e believe in absolutely gun-free, zero-tolerance, totally safe schools. That means no guns in America's schools, period ... with the rare exception of law enforcement officers or trained security personnel"? If not, what do you plan to do about it?

2006 Questionnaire
2005 Questionnaire

WarOnGuns 2020 Political Questionnaire

The NRA Board of Directors Questionnaire was actually derived from a political questionnaire I developed years ago. I update and tailor it as I think necessary, and what follows are the questions I expect a politician to satisfactorily answer if he wants my support.

And yes, that's no guarantee he won't betray you, but at least this creates a record that can be used against him afterward and ever after to undeniably prove he lies to get what he wants.

Here are this year's questions:

• Do you believe that the Constitution is the “supreme Law of the Land” and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges the birthrights of all Americans? 
• If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by all levels of government? How? 
• Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional. 
• Please give some examples of gun laws you consider constitutional.
• Does the right to bear arms include the right for any peaceable citizen to carry them openly or concealed without a permit? 
• Do you believe that Americans have a right to own, use and carry full-auto weapons of militia utility? 
• Do you agree with “enforce existing gun laws” or "repeal existing gun laws"? 
• Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms? Why? 
• What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed? 
• If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How? 
• Do you agree that politicians should be held accountable in their NRA and other "gun lobby" grades for immigration actions that undermine the Second Amendment? If “No,” and if falling back on the “single issue” excuse, provide credible and testable evidence – not anecdotes and not just opinions – to show that will not happen.

Like I said, these are MY criteria. Feel free to use them or modify/develop your own, and don't forget to publicize a politician's answers or if he shines you on.

MN Gubernatorial Candidate Harley Swarm Nails Gun Rights Questionnaire

Harley Swarm, Constitution Party member running for governor of Minnesota contacted me and submitted his answers to the questionnaire, and I want to share them with you. I think when you read them you'll see why... [More]

It's pretty nice when candidates approach me and volunteer answers to the questionnaire. So I wrote a second Gun Rights Examiner column today to highlight the experience.

Also get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend?

Another Profile in Apathy?

I reminded readers here of another option that was not included in WorldNetDaily's recent poll on the Arizona Senate race.

Correspondent Straightarrow sent them this letter to the editor under his real name. They opted not to post it,so I will post it here:

I looked at your poll today. But I did not participate. The reason for my not participating is because the poll only offers a choice without a difference.

I propose you do a profile and perhaps an interview with Jim Deakin who is challenging McCain for the Senate seat. As we know McCain is a Republican in name only and a conservative by no stretch of the imagination. The man does not even believe in the Constitution.

Contrarily, Deakin appears to understand the Constitution and to believe in it. I draw your attention to David Codrea and his Gun Rights Examiner column on the internet and Mr. Deakin's answers to a questionnaire that has been used more and more often by citizens trying to plumb the depths of candidates' commitment to liberty for the average citizen. Mr. Deakin acquits himself well.

Please check out Gun Rights Examiner David Codrea and the appropriate column. I think you will find that Mr. Deakin deserves some exposure. As it now stands, I would bet that more people throughout the nation know Mr. Deakin is a candidate in the race from reading that column than Arizonans who have never heard of him because no one mentions his candidacy or his views. Silence is our enemy. It is your enemy. You know enough history to know that. Please correct this oversight.

As I noted last Tuesday and on other occasions, one of the simplest and easiest things gun owners can do is spread the word--share links with fellow gun owners via emails, on blogs, on forums...

We have a situation in Arizona where this is not happening. And turning that around could not be simpler.

Last September I told you about Jim Deakin, who is challenging John McCain for the Senate. Take a look at the answers Jim gave to my gun rights questionnaire.

Go ahead. Read them and come back--I'll wait.

Now watch this:



What this means is gun owners aren't getting involved and telling their friends.

This isn't the first time I've tried to help spread the word. I've included periodic updates as supplements to my main column on a few other occasions.

I asked gun owners to send him "a measly buck" here.

I relayed how he needed support here.

And I asked if anyone wanted to help beat McCain here.

I'll bet I could sit down and think of dozens of excuses not to get involved, to ignore this and to go about my business. What I couldn't do is convince myself doing nothing is the right choice.

I sure hope it's not too much to ask for you to share a link or two, maybe the one to the questionnaire and the link to the Jim Deakin United States Senate website...?

Or else explain why it is a candidate should go out of his way to give unequivocal answers to questions his political enemies will use against him? Why lead if you turn around and everybody s just milling around behind not even getting involved?

Mark Amodei Answers Gun Rights Questionnaire

This is a significant development, especially since Amodei has traditionally not been responsive to questionnaires. For him to answer this questionnaire shows the importance of the issue, the potential impact of this questionnaire, and how seriously he and the field of candidates are treating it. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column notes another major player in the Nevada U.S. Senate race has found it necessary to go on record about RKBA with some specific answers.

Also learn of a development in a Texas race and get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend?

Gun Rights Questionnaire Spreading to Other Races

I continue to encourage you to send candidates the questionnaire. You can publicize their answers through email lists, on forums, via blogs--and encourage the candidates to post them on their campaign website "issues" page. Just please understand if I can't give them all the individual attention they deserve here. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column continues with the effort to define whether or not those seeking office understand the basics.

Let me ask you regulars here: Have you sent the questionnaire to any candidates?

Why not?

Also get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend?

NV Senate Candidate Robin Titus Answers Gun Rights Questionnaire

Another contender for the Nevada Senate seat currently occupied by Harry Reid has answered the political questionnaire on gun rights: Robin L. Titus, MD. This makes four contenders in this race who deemed it important enough an issue to provide unequivocal answers to specific questions. In addition to Dr. Titus, we've seen excellent responses from Danny Tarkanian, Sharron Angle and Bill Parson. [More]

This morning's Gun Rights Examiner column demonstrates how the concept of this questionnaire can be used as a force multiplier.

Also get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend?

How About Some Straight Answers (For a Change)?

My friends in Santa Barbara got another reply from NRA in response to why the Association endorsed Bill Brown for sheriff:

Thank you for your response. When a candidate does not return a questionnaire, we do assume that it is because they are hostile to gun rights. There is always a possibility the candidate did not receive the questionnaire or forgot to return it. But in Sheriff Anderson's case, according to individuals who talked to him and know him, he was aware that he had not returned the questionnaire and he still never did return it.

Sincerely,

Erik Eckberg

NRA-ILA

Here's what I sent back:

I believe the correct question is not why Anderson was unrated. That’s a diversion from the real issue in this race. I would like someone from NRA HQ to go on record about what Bill Brown did, said and promised to receive an A rating. This nebulous “Bill Brown has worked with the NRA to defeat anti-gun legislation at the State Capitol” does not tell me why Brown deserves an A, AND AN ENDORSEMENT, which in anybody’s book ought to mean he’s a gun rights leader.

What bills did he help defeat? Specifically.

What work did he do for NRA to help defeat these bills? Give details.

What is Brown’s position on the Second Amendment and why won’t he state it for the record?

What is Brown’s position on “assault weapons”?

What is Brown’s position on concealed carry?

What is Brown’s position on .50 caliber rifles?

How does Brown define the militia?

Why did Brown endorse Gov. Moonbeam, who made gun control ads a centerpiece of his campaign?

What does Brown think “shall not be infringed” means?

People are catching on to NRA HQ duplicity. As a life member, I am sick of arrogant staffers equivocating, weasel-wording, avoiding giving direct answers to direct questions. I am sick of phony ratings. I am sick of slick talking.

How about a “for the record” reply to each of my specific concerns, Mr. Eckberg?

And when we’re done with Brown, we can move on to Shane Sklar and Judy Topinka.

I will, of course, post any response I get, unedited.

Duel of the Questionnaire Answerers

Former tea party darling Sharron Angle filed her bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei in June’s Republican primary... [More]

They both answered my questionnaire back when they were vying for the Republican Senate nomination in a race NRA ultimately cheesed out on, enabling Democrat Harry Reid to return to power. Even though Angle got the higher grade.

Here was my post at the time on Amodei, and here were his answers.

Here's what Angle told me.

They both had good answers. Frankly, with Amodei's, I'd expect his real world record to earn better than a "B" from GOA. And his poor Numbers USA score tells me he's not being very forward thinking on long term consequences.

Sue Lowden Answers Gun Rights Questionnaire

Another rival for the Nevada U.S. Senate seat occupied by Majority Leader Harry Reid has answered the Gun Rights Questionnaire. Sue Lowden is the second responding candidate, along with Danny Tarkanian, to have out-performed the incumbent in recent polls. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column spotlights another entry in this important race.

Also learn more about a deserving challenger to John McCain and get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend?

GO-NH Candidate RKBA Ratings vs. The Gun Rights Questionnaire

Yesterday morning I received the GO-NH voter's guide, in which they've rated candidates on RKBA. Regular readers will recall that I spent 7+ months trying to get candidates to answer the Gun Rights Questionnaire and rating them. Some readers may even recall that GO-NH Prez Kopacz expressed an interest in being provided with the candidates' responses for rating purposes of their own. So much for that idea. I knew there was a problem when GO-NH wouldn't even link to my GRQ project.

So I expected to be annoyed when the GO-NH guide came out. I am. [More]

Carl Bussjaeger explains why he's annoyed. With details.

Imagine that. "Pro-gun" candidates avoiding taking an unequivocal stand on the right of the people to keep and bear arms...and being rewarded anyway.

OH AG Candidate Dave Yost Answers Gun Rights Questionnaire

Before commenting begins, I want to throw something into the mix for your consideration: The other Republican contender, Mike DeWine, might as well be on the Brady Campaign payroll. I can think of no stronger message to send the Republican establishment than to let them know anti-gunners will no longer be tolerated, so they'd better stop offering them. [More]

This is today's second Gun Rights Examiner column, written as a follow-up to my earlier offering.

The guy did not do badly--I know some will argue over "weapons under disability" (I argue against that all the time myself), but it's amazing to me he came up with so much I agree with him on--and then factor in the RINO subversive running against him.

I'm also amazed at how many politicians running for significant offices are responding to this questionnaire. I've been doing it for years from this blog--I guess being able to run it on Examiner.com has made a difference.

This, to me, is a perfect opportunity for political CUM ULLA SELLA IN PUGNO TABERNA, and in this case, we've got a pretty nice chair

Also get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend?

Rob Curnock Responds to Gun Questionnaire

Another candidate for the U.S. Congress has responded to my political questionnaire, Rob Curnock, who is running for Texas' Congressional District 17. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column looks at a Q&A.

Also get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend?

2009 NRA Director Candidate Questionnaire

No true reform will come to the NRA until voting members can rate director candidates based on unequivocal platforms of support for “shall not be infringed.” Unfortunately, no such demand has been made by the membership, so expect more status quo, backroom deals, political compromises and undeserved politician ratings. [More]

Once more I go through the motions. Today's Gun Rights Examiner column presents the latest incarnation of my NRA director candidate questionnaire.

Will this provoke controversy, or will it be ignored?

That's up to you, the readers, isn't it? Will anyone join me in asking some questions, or even making them known?

Check out the latest from other Gun Rights Examiners:

Austin: Another Brady hallucination: More guns, more ‘gun violence’ (Part 1)

Charlotte: Guns and the Constitution: A legislator finally 'gets it'

Cleveland: Taking steps to protect the children

DC: DC City Council enables residents’ easy access to mail order handgun carry permits!

Denver: Active compliance......or not

Los Angeles: Gun Control: the very first pig with lipstick on it.

Milwaukee: Time to change our attitude about guns

Minneapolis: The folly across the river

St. Louis: Time for incorporation of the Second Amendment

NV Senate Candidate Sharron Angle Also Deserves Gun Owner Support

Good answers. Good record. Those who make the gun issue their main focus should definitely consider supporting her.

But wait--didn't I just say the other day that I supported Danny Tarkanian?

Yep. And I still do. I think his answers to the questionnaire should be spread far and wide. And I think the same should be done with Sharron Angle's. No law says I can't encourage contestants for the same position who do the right thing on guns. I've also sent this questionnaire to others in the 2010 NV Senate race, including, just to be fair, Harry Reid. And I'll be reporting their responses (or the lack thereof) over the coming days or weeks. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column shows how contenders for one of the most powerful political positions in the country are appealing to voters on the basis of how unequivocally they support the right to keep and bear arms.

Also read an alert from Gun Owners of Nevada and get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend?

Related Articles:

• Make politicians prove they support the Second Amendment
• Gun owners should support Danny Tarkanian for Senate

Darren Yancy Answers Gun Rights Questionnaire

We've seen two Republican contenders for Chet Edwards' 17th Texas Congressional District seat respond to the Gun Rights Questionnaire. A third has also responded, and, unlike his rivals, provided the specific answers requested: Darren Yancy. [More]

I posted a third Gun Rights Examiner column because I finally got someone from the 17th District Congressional race in Texas who would answer the questions instead of giving me boilerplate.

Jim Martin Has a Big "But"

Constituent TD sent an inquiry to GA US Senate candidate Jim Martin:

Mr. Martin:

What is your position on the Second Amendment. Do you support Barack Obama's positions?

Specifically:
--"assault rifle ban"
--"concealment permits"
--"castle doctrine"
--handgun restrictions beyond those presently imposed by Georgia law
--over-regulation of gun shops based on proximity to schools and churches.
--increased Federal taxes on guns and ammunition
--banning of specific types of guns and ammunition

My wife and I wish to share your views with many of our gun-owning friends.

Thank you for your response.

That seems pretty respectful and straightforward, no?

Here's what he got back:

Thank you for your email and interest in Jim's position on the 2nd Amendment. Jim supports the 2nd Amendment and the right for law abiding citizens to bear arms. He does, however, believe there are some reasonable limitations that should be enforced so we can keep guns out of the hands of criminals and those with mental illness.

I encourage you to visit http://www.martinforsenate.com/ to learn more about Jim's positions on issues of importance to Georgians.

Best wishes,

Morgan Martin Walters

He believes in the Second Amendment but...

Come on, Morgan--a voting citizen writes you, he's respectful, he's specific...

Blowing him off like this is disrespectful and evasive. And it does not serve your candidate well, because, well, let me have Len Savage give it a try and I'll explain further if that doesn't work:

Mr. Jim Martin and Morgan Martin Walters:

I am perplexed by your statements reflected in the email attached below:

"Jim supports the 2nd Amendment and the right for law abiding citizens to bear arms. He does, however, believe there are some reasonable limitations that should be enforced so we can keep guns out of the hands of criminals and those with mental illness."

As someone who "spent the better part of a decade in Athens earning three degrees (a bachelor's degree and two law degrees)," you should know that criminals and persons mentally adjudicated are already prohibited from firearms ownership. If they are prohibited, how much more restriction can there be? Unless you consider restricting law-abiding citizens of Georgia as a form of "reasonable limitation"?

As a Georgia conservative, I am by no means pleased with Senator Chambliss. However, he is not seeking to impose restrictions on law abiding Georgia citizens from owning or purchasing firearms.

I would think the "gun free zone" tragedies where unarmed citizens were murdered in cold blood with no means of defense would have opened even the most liberal mind. Criminals by their very nature do not adhere to the law. Only law-abiding citizens follow the law. Any restriction on firearms ownership is tipping the scales of power in the criminals' behalf.

The DNC is not hiding the fact they want the "assault weapons" ban to be reinstated. That affects me. I don't wish for you or the DNC to make owning or purchasing a firearm any harder.

Perhaps you would be so kind as to answer TD's questions this time instead of dodging the issue?

Respectfully,

Len Savage

Nope, that didn't work either. Morgan has decided the best response is no response.

Bad choice, Morgan. Funny thing about unintended consequences. What you want to go away, and stay confined to a malcontent or two, is now part of the public discourse on your candidate's fitness as a respecter of rights.

Which is not that impressive, by the way:

Graded 'C' by the NRA in 2000 and 1998
2000: Based on lifetime voting records on gun issues and the results of a questionnaire sent to all state legislative candidates in 2000, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund assigned Martin a grade of C (with grades ranging from a high of A+ to a low of F).
1998: Based on a questionnaire and the votes that National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund considered to be the most important in 1998, they have assigned Martin a grade of C.

Here's the thing, Morgan--TD wanted to share Jim Martin's views with his "many...gun-owning friends," and now this is all he's got to give them. And I suspect it won't be too long before this gets picked up by other blogs, by Internet forums...

If you think that might not serve your guy well (36% seems kind of shaky, "surge" posturing notwithstanding, don't you think?) I'd be delighted to give you another crack at addressing the specifics. Feel free to send me a comprehensive reply and I'll be happy to present it here unedited and uncut.

Darren Yancy Changes Races, Clarifies Gun Rights Answers

When we first met Darren Yancy, he was running for the 17th Texas Congressional District seat where he distinguished himself from his rivals by actually providing specific answers to the gun rights questionnaire. Still, some readers indicated dissatisfaction with two of his answers, specifically in regards to open carry and registration. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column does two things: It changes my mind from being neutral on this individual to believing he is a good candidate. But also, importantly, it shows how some candidates are recognizing the importance of making sure they clearly state their case for the right to keep and bear arms.

Have you sent any candidates the questionnaire, asked them for unequivocal responses and let them know you were going to share the results?

And will you tell a friend?

New Year's Gun Rights Resolution: Send a Politician the Gun Rights Questionnaire

I will send at least one politician a copy of the gun rights questionnaire and then make his answers or lack of response known to my fellow gun-owning voters. [More]

Here's today's second Gun Rights Examiner column and the fifth in my daily series on New Year's resolution suggestions for gun owners.

A Gun-Free Questionnaire

Responding to yesterday's post where Gun Free South Africa revealed the end game for all their ilk, Cemetery's Gun Blob asked if I'd seen their questionnaire.

I have now...

[Click to enlarge]