Obama's Democratic Platform Calls for More Restrictions on Gun Owners' Rights

One thing was made crystal clear at the Democratic National Convention, held this week in Charlotte, N.C. The 2012 National Democratic Platform is President Barack Obama's platform. There is nothing in the document that doesn't reflect the President's position.

While the opening lines give lip service to supporting the Second Amendment, the rest of the plank calls for renewing the semi-auto ban and for regulating gun shows into oblivion.

Here's the language:

Firearms.

We recognize that the individual right to bear arms is an important part of the American tradition, and we will preserve Americans' Second Amendment right to own and use firearms. We believe that the right to own firearms is subject to reasonable regulation. We understand the terrible consequences of gun violence; it serves as a reminder that life is fragile, and our time here is limited and precious. We believe in an honest, open national conversation about firearms. We can focus on effective enforcement of existing laws, especially strengthening our background check system, and we can work together to enact commonsense improvements--like reinstating the assault weapons ban and closing the gun show loophole--so that guns do not fall into the hands of those irresponsible, law-breaking few.

As if to signal that the Democratic Party is ready to follow Obama's lead on the issue, Senator Dianne Feinstein announced in her keynote speech to the convention's California delegation that she intends to reintroduce an "updated" version of the 1994-2004 "assault weapons" and "large" magazines.

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Profiles in Cowardice: the 2012 Obama Platform

President Obama is running from a crime scene.

Rather than acknowledge the deadly truth about how the anti-gun policies he promoted as a state senator have utterly failed the good people of Chicago, Obama is hoping that a not-so-subtle change in the Democratic Party platform will sweep it all under the rug.

Feinstein, Democratic Party Get Head Start on Gun Ban Anniversary

A week from today marks the eight-year anniversary of the expiration of the federal "assault weapon" and "large" ammunition magazine ban of 1994-2004. While gun owners have been preparing to celebrate by going to three-gun competitions, doing some recreational target practice, taking carbine classes, or zeroing their ARs to get ready for hunting season, their detractors have been busy too.

U.N. "Programme of Action" Targets Civilian Gun Owners

Gun owners hoping the failure of the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty in July would finally convince the UN to respect our rights shouldn't hold their breath. Just a month after treaty negotiations broke down, on August 27 the UN convened its two-week-long Second Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

Preparing Today for Success on Election Day! Are You Ready?

The engine that drives the NRA machine is you…and your fellow tens of millions of Second Amendment supporters. The one factor in any campaign that is critical is TIME. Every day we are not working to increase our volunteer ranks is a day lost that we will never get back. As the calendar turns and we get closer to Election Day, things only get more hectic. That is why RIGHT NOW is a great time to ensure you maximize your effectiveness in those crazy days and weeks leading up to Election Day. What should you be doing TODAY to ensure success on November 6? We have some suggestions.

Put Your Support on Display. Order Your NRA-ILA Yard Signs Today!

It has been estimated that well-placed campaign signs can account for four percentage points on Election Day. Think back to the 2000 presidential election, where 537 votes in Florida separated George W. Bush from Al Gore, and four percentage points seems like a landslide!

While you are focused like a laser beam on the November 6 election, some gun owners may not be aware of what's at stake for the future of the Second Amendment on Election Day.

Go All In! Work Locally with Your NRA-ILA Campaign Field Representative

Your NRA-ILA Campaign Field Representative (CFR) is an NRA-ILA staff person who will be living in your area, coordinating our volunteer activities with one goal in mind--ensuring pro-Second Amendment voters turn out to "Vote Freedom First!" on Election Day. Your CFR will be recruiting volunteers to: register voters, make phone calls, knock on doors, generate letters to the editor, distribute candidate information, attend events and turn out the pro-gun vote on Election Day. Please contact your CFR today to find out how you can assist in ensuring pro-freedom lawmakers are elected to office.