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Recently, the White House released a photo of our own president firing a shotgun at Camp David—a controversial one thanks to recent tragedies and the president’s stance on gun control. However, I think the president exercising his own rights, as an American is no different than any other person firing a gun on his own accord.
On both ends of the political spectrum, Americans can’t come to terms with the fact that the president is either more liberal than once thought, or more conservative than once thought, because he is a gun-rights advocate with reasonable limitations on them.
Unfortunately, many liberals and conservatives can’t agree with this; and it is shameful they let their preconceptions decide what they will think of this instead of their own thoughts on a matter like this.
I believe the image of Obama shooting a gun paints a different picture of the president. This term being his last, Obama can now be most sincere and open with his personal life; and this photo shows us that he is no longer concerned with getting votes, but doing what he thinks is right for the country in both showing his support for guns, and agreeing to make changes on gun laws.
Perhaps the stigma of gun owners as wacky, fringe-society people will indeed change for the better, while also showing that guns themselves don’t contribute to the problem, but the people using them.
With Obama’s decision to place a ban on high-caliber assault rifles and possibly requiring a background check to purchase a gun, isn’t that unreasonable of a proposition. However, many conservatives are skeptical of the president’s perceived gun-friendliness, even though he admitted to being a defender of 2nd Amendment rights and claimed guns reflect on America’s history — which they do.
Liberals too, are at fault. Some went far enough to look for evidence of a photo-shopped image, and couldn’t believe their infallible president would be outdoors shooting guns at clay targets. This goes to show that often people put too much stock into one individual, and illustrates the passion and high expectations Americans put on elevated figures like President Obama.
Issues like this one really get under my skin, because what people fail to realize is that from our beginning, almost every president has been a gun advocate. Even if they weren’t photographed firing guns at Camp David, I would be willing to bet at one point during their presidency, they did.
Critics of this photo like the NRA assure us with propaganda that Obama poses as a gun advocate, who in reality is coming — this time, armed — for your guns, all the while encouraging dissent and distrust of the government. And we worry that our president is an occasional skeet shooter?
A version of this article appeared in the Feb 7 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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Well, innocent student, it looks like YOU fell for the propaganda intent of that photo. Your use of the term "...our OWN president..." demonstrating clearly the *affection* you feel towards the WH. Put your feelings and rose-colored glasses aside and ask yourself "Why would they put out this picture if not for purposes of propaganda?"
But worse than letting your affection for your president sway your reason, is your willingness to reject the legislative branch of the gov't as a consequence of emotions run amuck. Do you know what the word "legislative" means? Do you know which branch of the gov't makes law? Congress: The Legislative Branch. You write: "With Obama’s decision to place a ban..." so comfortably. Cocooned in your warm fuzzy feelings for our president you are not slightly bothered by the fact that he is attempting to circumvent the legislative branch elected by the people for the purpose of writing law.
Son, don't let your heart control your head. Recognize the importance of the balance of power created by the three branches of government to protect the will of the people.
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First, you need to look in the mirror when it comes to having your own self-interests guide your thoughts you right wing conspiracy freak. Second, the President influences the Acts of Congress ALL THE TIME!! HAVE YOU EVER WATCHED THE STATE OF THE UNION - THAT IS WHAT HE DOES! Furthermore, the President has something called "Executive Orders" which are intended for him to be able to circumvent the Legislative Branch. Finally, besides through the use of Executive Orders, which are completely legitimate and legal, how exactly is President Obama pushing through the legislation by bypassing the Congress? What law has Obama made? Oh, thats right, there is none and you are just crazy. And of course it was for "propaganda." The intent of the photo was to prove to people like you (crazy people that don't actually use science, common sense of facts) that he does not in fact want to take away your guns.
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Your bizarre rant clearly demonstrates that you need to get a refill on your meds immediately.
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This author, like the majority of the media, has no idea what he's talking about in regards to firearms issues. What exactly is a "high-caliber assault rifle"? The AR-15, at the center of the "assault rifle" debate, is chambered in .223 caliber, which is one of the smallest rifle bullets in use. Perhaps he means high quality, which certainly does apply to the AR. So the president wants to ban high quality guns then? Does that make the AK OK? I wouldn't be surprised that the author doesn't understand the opposition to "universal" background checks either. The truth is, there are no facts or logic to support the proposed restrictions on certain types of guns or accessories. These bans and restrictions have no proven positive effect on violent crime, and in fact statistics have shown that crime has increased during gun bans and decreased when the bans have expired.
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I was going to address the "high-caliber assault rifles" statement but one of the Anons covered it well.
My second issue is you state that liberals went looking for evidence of photoshoppery. I think anyone who has ever fired an o/u shotgun immediately recognizes that the photo has been doctored. For someone who "do skeet shooting all the time" you think they could have at least 'shopped in a skeet field in the background. There is also no shot in skeet that you would shoot with the gun horizontal. Modern shotgun shells produce almost no smoke and the smoke they added to this photo is way too dense. The photoshopper also forgot to add smoke coming from the left side of the ported barrel, which is the biggest clue that it was doctored. Others have mentioned the lack of gun recoil and the missing wad and shot, but I need to check some of my photos and see what is visible at this point in the shot.
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