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Opponents of gun violence back Obama for president
By AP STAFF
Associated Press
October 14, 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Barack Obama and Joe Biden won the endorsement Monday of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
The group is named after Jim Brady, the press secretary to former President Reagan, who was gravely wounded by a gunman who tried to assassinate Reagan in 1981.
Paul Helmke, the organization's president, said Obama and Biden would strengthen background checks on gun purchasers, get assault weapons off the streets and give law enforcement more tools to stop illegal gun trafficking.
"The Obama-Biden ticket will work with law enforcement, gun violence victims and ordinary citizens who want to do more to protect themselves, their families and their communities by making it harder for dangerous people to get dangerous weapons," Helmke said in a written statement.
Helmke said Republican presidential nominee John McCain once led on gun violence prevention issues, but has since "pandered to the gun lobby whose opinions he once disdained."
"His erratic approach to gun violence prevention leads to our concern about whether a President McCain would remember and follow the leadership shown by Senator McCain in 2000 and 2004 and take steps to help reduce gun violence," Helmke said.
Last week, the National Rifle Association endorsed McCain despite differences with the Arizona senator on gun-show rules and campaign finance restrictions.
McCain has voted against a ban on assault-type weapons but in favor of requiring background checks at gun shows. The Republican has also voted to shield gun-makers and dealers from civil suits, while Obama voted to leave gun-makers and dealers open to suit.
As an Illinois state lawmaker, Obama supported a ban on all forms of semiautomatic weapons and tighter state restrictions generally on firearms.
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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