By: Paul Thurman
Recently, Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) claimed that she was in favor of gun rights during a candidate forum with the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. The campaign also launched “Sportsmen and Sportswomen for Tammy,” a coalition of Wisconsin sportsmen and sportswomen who support Baldwin’s senate bid. In a video released on October 11th by the campaign, avid hunter and fisherman Vernon Bowers claims there is “no one better than Tammy Baldwin” to protect sportsmen in Wisconsin. So is Tammy Baldwin really a protector of the second amendment rights?
The campaign website touts her support for legislation that added 2 million new acres to public lands and ensured those areas would be open for outdoor sporting activities. She also claims to have worked across party lines to remove the Wisconsin gray wolf from the endangered species list so it would open the door to new wolf hunts in the state. Considering this, is it safe to say that Tammy Baldwin is pro-gun?
Let’s take a look at other legislation that gun rights activists would be in favor of and see where Tammy’s record lines up:
Tammy Baldwin voted against the National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011, HR 822, which says that if you have a CCW permit in your home state, you can travel to another state that issues CCW permits and your permit will be valid.
She also voted against the Sportsman Heritage Act, which would expand recreational hunting, shooting and fishing opportunities in the country.
She has continually struck down bills that would prohibit liability lawsuits from being brought against gun manufacturers and dealers based on the criminal misuse of firearms.
Tammy voted no on legislation that would allow visitors to possess firearms on federal public land.
The National Rifle Association gives Tammy Baldwin an “F” rating and NRA President David Keene recently said Baldwin “has made a career out of infringing on our constitutional freedoms and liberty.” According to the NRA’s website an “F” grade means “True enemy of gun owners’ rights. A consistent anti-gun candidate who always opposes gun owners’ rights and or actively leads anti-gun legislative efforts, or sponsors anti-gun legislation.”
A similar organization, Gun Owners of America also gives Tammy Baldwin an “F” rating on gun control rights.
Both Senate candidates in Wisconsin have declared they are pro-gun and pro-sportsmen. Both have records that serve to either prove or disprove that claim.