Was Reagan, 1981-1989, a pro-gun president? [View all]

[jimmy the one]

Pro gun arguments first, gun control follow; should be interesting from democrat aspect

Reagan entered 1980 presidential campaign as a known supporter of the right to keep and bear arms.
2 Reagan left little doubt about his stance on {2ndA}: “In my opinion, proposals to outlaw or confiscate guns are simply unrealistic panacea.”
3 Saying {2ndA} “leaves little, if any, leeway for the gun control advocate,” .. “the right of the citizen to keep and bear arms must not be infringed if liberty in America is to survive.”
4 His presidential administration did not bring about any new gun control laws of significance.
5 The lone piece of significant legislation related to gun rights during the Reagan administration was the {FOPA} Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986.
Which contained numerous pro gun regulations some which follow.
Among other things, {FOPA, signed by Reagan}: .. made it easier to transport long rifles across the US, ended federal records-keeping on ammunition sales and prohibited the prosecution of someone passing through areas with strict gun control with firearms in their vehicle, so long as properly stored.
5a {FOPA86} In order to comply with the prohibition on a Federal registry of non-NFA items, background check records are legally required to be destroyed after 24 hours.
5b The gun rights movement lobbied Congress to pass the FOPA to prevent the abuse of regulatory power — in particular, to address claims that the ATF was repeatedly inspecting FFL holders for the apparent purpose of harassment..{this was rightwing BS}.
5c {FOPA} mandated that ATF compliance inspections can be done only once per year.. a follow-up inspection would be if guns could not be accounted for. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firearm_Owners_Protection_Act
9 A more lasting impact of Reagan’s policy on guns was the nomination of several Supreme Court justices — Sandra Day O’Connor, Rehnquist, Scalia, Kennedy — the latter two were still on the bench for a pair of important Supreme Court rulings on gun rights in the 2000s: http://civilliberty.about.com/od/guncontrol/a/Gun-Rights-Ronald-Reagan.htm

Gun Control Support: Post presidency, also rumored in early stages of alzheimers: March {1991} .. .. that former President Reagan had endorsed a national 7-day waiting period for handgun purchases, ... opponents of gun control say they feel betrayed by Mr. Reagan, the prince they had campaigned for, idolized and trusted. "I felt somebody had stabbed me in the back," said Metaksa, a former official {NRA} who headed Sportsmen for Reagan/Bush. http://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/30/us/old-ally-wounds-gun-control-foes.html
In the past, Mr. Reagan, a lifetime member of {NRA}, spoke favorably of waiting periods and background checks. But he always said it should be a matter for the states to decide.
President Reagan will forever be remembered fondly by Second Amendment supporters, many of who are among the American conservatives who consider Reagan a poster child of modern conservatism. But words and actions of Reagan, the 40th President.., left behind a mixed record on gun rights.
Pre Presidency: mainstream American view at the time: Mulford Act was a 1967 California bill which repealed a law allowing public carrying of loaded firearms. Named after Republican Mulford, the bill garnered national attention after the Black Panthers marched bearing arms to protest the bill. The bill was signed by Repub Calif Gov Ronald Reagan..

7 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Reagan was a pro-gun president (81 - 89), afterwards too
	0 (0%)
	Reagan was pro-gun as president, not nec prior or after
	1 (14%)
	Reagan leaned pro-gun as president, not nec prior or after
	0 (0%)
	Reagan as pres was neutral, middling on guns & gun control
	6 (86%)
	Reagan was more for guncontrol as president 81-89
	0 (0%)
	Dunno, Doncare, no op
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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