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Palin to Keynote Gun and Hunting Convention in Nevada

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Sarah Palin, who took a pummeling this week in the heated debate over guns following the mass shootings in Tucson, will make a keynote address to a gun convention later this month.
Coming off what some critics call her "worst week," Palin has had little success fending off accusations that she had directly or indirectly helped fuel the vitriolic and violent climate that some say may have contributed to the shootings that left six dead and 14 wounded, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a moderate Democrat who represents Arizona's Eighth District.
Palin's speech is expected to focus on "her past hunting experiences and how politics affects the current state of hunting and fishing," said the website of the Safari Club International in Reno, Nev., which describes itself as "the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide." Palin will speak to the group on Jan. 29.
The former Alaska governor has long been a champion of hunting and the culture of guns. Her reality show, "Sarah Palin's Alaska," celebrates the killing of fish and wildlife. A controversial episode in the series showed an unsuspecting caribou in Palin's crosshairs, her finger on the trigger, the sound of the shot, and the caribou crumpling to the ground.
Palin was brought to the center of the debate this week after liberals criticized a map her political action committee put up on its website showing targeted Democratic districts in the crosshairs of a rifle. She also came under criticism for her campaign refrain, "Don't retreat, reload."
Palin tried to defend herself with a 7 1/2-minute video message on Wednesday that blew back in her face, stirring more controversy.
In a misguided and badly timed move, her video came out on the day of a memorial service in Tucson just hours before President Obama's stirring speech to a crowd of 14,000 in a sports arena there. Obama's emotional and measured words to an audience that included Giffords' husband, the astronaut Mark E. Kelly, and members of Congress and the Supreme Court, served as a counterpoint to Palin's defensive and provocative message, marked by her use of the term "blood libel," which stirred more controversy.
Palin's speech to the gun convention comes as members of Congress in both parties are pushing for gun-control measures. On Friday, Rep. Peter King, a conservative New York Republican, said he planned to introduce legislation making it illegal to carry a firearm within 1,000 feet of certain government officials, according to The New American. He made the announcement at New York City Hall along with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who opposes gun rights, New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, and several other mayors, mostly Democrats, from New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
But House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio has not been supportive of recent gun-control efforts, and the White House has not taken a stand.
Ironically, Giffords, whose nearly fatal shooting ignited the week's debate, is a Second Amendment supporter who backs gun rights and ownership of guns. She has stood up against the District of Columbia's ban on guns and was given a zero rating by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
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khalidabdrahman

Guns regulations. and control is needed, will save lives. 'nuff said.

January 30 2011 at 8:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
elaineburnett

The perfect answer to unfettered gun purchases is common good, common sense regulations so that when a gum is purchased we can find it, and be assured that people who have guns are rational, not nuts or homicidal;that people have limits to the amount and type of weapons purchased for sport or self-defense. Better sytems to monitor and track,that is not too much to ask. Do it for Christina and all victums of gun violence.

January 20 2011 at 12:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rsell67

The issue is not guns or even who has them, it is the issue of one crazy person trying to commit suicide by cop. He fully expected to die that day, he was crazy and too cowardly to kill himself.

Again the issue is not what he used, but why he did what he did. He could have killed or injured as many people if he drove a truck into the croud of people, and no one would have been able to tackle him to the ground, if he did.

There are those liberals that complain about the shooter's ability to buy the gun, legally. They say, "He was crazy, how couldn't the gun shop owner know that?"

The solution to that is involuntary removal and placement in the mental hospital. That of course was tried by NYC Mayor Guilianni, and he was sued by the ACLA (Liberals) for violating the rights of the mentally ill......Catch 22!!

January 17 2011 at 10:43 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
insatiabiesub

Sarah often speaks without thinking or makes little snide remarks that come back to haunt her. She could show some poise some time rather than always being on the offensive. This is no more an attack on her than her saying on her Alaska show to Piper we are having dessert because Mrs. Obama says we shouldn't. Isn't that teaching your child to disrespect the First Lady. Michelle Obama's Let's Move program is to get our children moving and away from obesity. I believe most believe in our 2nd ammendment right to own a gun and to protect ourself but perhaps the arms the ammendment referred to did not include what are used today and were never ok to be used in crimes. Just think if he had to load powder and a bullet before shooting. I think you should need a special permit to buy a gun like that automatic gun. Something like a RX to get a dangerous drug. Complete with reason and a federal licensing organiztion responsible for despensing said weapon.

January 17 2011 at 12:09 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
luv2rlax761

Guns dont kill people. People kill people - with GUNS.

January 16 2011 at 6:35 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
mbc90210

Bravo Mr. McCain coming out in support of the the President and his state of Arizona. Maybe Palin will learn something.... though doubtful. What I do not understand is Palin is an ex governor, and ex vice president candidate and really is nothing in American Politics right now. If Palin truly believes the map meant nothing to the crisis in Arizona, then why did she take it off of her facebook page immediately after the crisis, hoping noone would notice? Sounds as if she may have felt a little guilt?

January 16 2011 at 6:33 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
scolark

I love Sarah

January 16 2011 at 4:21 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Richard

Guns are great for hunting. Not sure why anyone other than PETA complains about it. After all, it is a bit tougher to hunt with a rock!

January 16 2011 at 8:42 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ttdq

A zero rating from the Brady Group sounds as if she would get my vote. Peter King is not a true Republican and his bill will go absolutely nowhere.

January 16 2011 at 5:55 AM Report abuse -2 rate up rate down Reply
Barbra and Brian

Suddenly, if you're not "politically correct" as defined by the media, you are evil? Since when did supporting gun ownership and our 2nd amendment (the one freedom that protects all your other freedoms) make you irrational? Wait a second.......this is still the United States, right? Or is that the real question. 30 years of liberalism and politics got us right where we are. I, for one am continuing to indoctrinate my children with the truth about this nation and what it took to build it.

January 15 2011 at 10:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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