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OPINION

Meghan McCain: Don't Politicize, Take My Guns

2nd Amendment 'one issue where I’m red through-and-through'

By Kevin Spak| Posted May 14, 09 11:46 AM CDT|

(Newser) – She supports gay marriage and thinks the Republican Party is out of touch, but on guns, Meghan McCain is “red through-and-through,” she writes in the Daily Beast: “The right to bear arms, and specifically the idea of it being taken away from me, is one of my biggest concerns.” Individual freedom and responsibility is the key philosophy of the GOP, and gun rights exemplify that ideal.

McCain’s family is full of hunters and servicemen, so she says her experience with guns has been entirely positive. And she finds it “empowering, especially as a woman, to fire off a few rounds.” America’s problem with violence shouldn’t be a political argument about guns, but a discussion about anger, alcohol, drugs and economic hopelessness. “Desperate people will make anything a weapon,” she writes. “We need to eliminate desperation, not guns.”

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (3)]

Meghan McCain arrives at Perez Hilton's 31st Birthday Party in West Hollywood, Calif., March 28, 2009. (AP Photo)

Meghan McCain likes having her finger on the trigger. (Shutterstock)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

The Democratic Party is guilty of politicizing the issue. It's about Us vs. Them. Blood-thirsty, violence-loving hicks vs. straight-laced, normal, thinking urban white-collar workers. - Meghan McCain

The Second Amendment has been heavily scrutinized. Its simplicity is sometimes mistaken for ambiguity. - Meghan McCain

Putting it bluntly, we’ve done a disservice to our violence problems by making the political argument about guns instead of whatever causes people to be violent in the first place. - Meghan McCain

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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36 comments

VIEWING:

IN RESPONSE:

johntitor
May 14, 09 6:59 PM CDT

Um take freedoms for granted much? Last time I checked we don't jail reporters because we don't like what they say (Iran, current) What you have demonstrated here is exactly why American WAS NOT founded as a democracy. Its called tyranny of the masses....Trust me until they come to take you to the fema camps that are close to wherever you live (its true) the bill of rights still counts. Thats why the media can get away with the last 8 years of childish name calling (bush) instead of concentrating on the real damage that his admin. was dong the whole time. I cant understand how you don't understand your rights fully.....but yes I do agree with you to an extent. Political correctness has been pushed to far, and when the constitution becomes so watered down that its useless...then we will need guns.

| 0 minutes ago

kokuaguy
May 14, 09 12:03 PM CDT

Need help with your proofreading, editors? I'm available. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

sadtimes
May 14, 09 1:04 PM CDT

Haha, give em a break "she, her". Uh, this McCain chick sounds pretty sexy - I love my guns and am also well read on the 2nd A! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

AnnieChrist
May 14, 09 1:33 PM CDT

Other than keeping her name in the headlines, what is the point of writing (or reading) this fluff piece. Did someone come to take her guns away? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Lula
May 14, 09 1:50 PM CDT

I think we have heard enough from this ding-bat. Like Palin, please just go away and shut up.

| 0 minutes ago

JaneMP
May 14, 09 1:38 PM CDT

Don't understand why those who uphold PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY and gun rights don't realize that many who purchase guns are hardly posterchildren for personal responsibility. Also, why do gun rights people believe it's all or nothing? "Those liberals are trying to take away my AK47." I have no poroblem with collectors keeping historical guns, hunters keeping their rifles and shotguns. Myproblem is that hunteres do NOT need automatic weapons--who does? Why not use some common sense? Why not close gun show loopholes? I really don't think those who wrote the Bill of Rights had any idea that crazies would be running around killing people and shooting up schools. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

johntitor
May 14, 09 2:30 PM CDT

There really are not that many AUTOMATIC weapons in this country. You have to have a class 3 license to own and operate AUTOMATIC weapons legally here. Most of the AK47s in this county are SEMI-AUTOMATIC, and trust me theres a big difference. In that regard it makes them exactly the same as a ruger mini-30 for instance which shoots the same round and looks much more like the hunting rifles of which you speak. During WW1 and WW2 a semi automatic (garand, kar, lee enfield) was MORE deadly in the hands of someone who knows how to shoot as any fully automatic weapon. Trust me ive been to lots of gun shows and the loopholes of which you speak are very hard to jump through. Besides ill take an nice semi-sks any day of the week.

IN RESPONSE:

bacimom
May 14, 09 4:18 PM CDT

And why do you need a concealed carry in a national park? In case Yogi gets happy with your "picanic" basket?

IN RESPONSE:

AnnieChrist
May 14, 09 4:26 PM CDT

Guns facilitate crime and murder the same way the internet facilitates child porn, fraud and prostitution. Because irresponsible, deviant individuals utilize a legal agent to commit crimes should not compel us to criminalize it, or curtail our right to use that device legally. My problem with the NRA types is that they seem to think sometimes that the 2nd Amendment is the only one out there. Over the last 25 years the 4th, 5th and 6th Amendments have been virtually nullified by right wing judges without so much as a whimper from NRA membership, and most NRA'ers love it when anti-war demonstrators or gay rights groups are denied their right to peacefully assemble for redress of grievancies.

| 0 minutes ago

Doctor_Zaius
May 14, 09 1:43 PM CDT

Again. I support the Bill of Rights. All ten. No exceptions. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Robert_Dada
May 14, 09 6:10 PM CDT

The 2nd amendment is consistently misinterpreted. Plus, the fact that we have a Bill of Rights and amendments to the Constitution proves it to be a living document. I don't favor an outright ban on ALL guns - only those that serve no useful purpose other than to kill people.

-2

| 0 minutes ago

TerrifiedCitizen
May 14, 09 1:50 PM CDT

JaneMP... Even though I take the constitution and personal freedoms seriously, I have to agree with some of your logic. Automatic weapons are for no good purpose... and their reduction may reduce the number going over the border for mass killings as well. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

newsrmandan
May 14, 09 2:14 PM CDT

Jane I understand your sentiment regarding ak47 there is no case in which a person needs an ak as opposed to the ordinary Glock or any other gun. ( there are cases when it would be more useful ) But I think your misunderstanding the point. America with its constitution has for its members certain rights which the founding fathers thought important. Owning and using guns for safety recreation and security were all somehow included. Responsible or not, that was given to us. The problem is what was given is now being slowly and surely step by step taken away. I think thats where you find the problem. To follow your logic I don't need a vehicle to drive the seven miles back and forth to work all I really need is my feet and time. But if the law allows me and I have the means to do it should my truck or suv or gas guzzling hot rod or anything else I want to use be taken away from me because I dont really need it. What about transfat I don't need that, Art work I don't really need it. The frustration you have with crazies who have guns can easlily be salved by responsible people who carry them and know how to use them when the crazies come. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

johntitor
May 14, 09 2:33 PM CDT

Very well put..

IN RESPONSE:

bacimom
May 14, 09 4:26 PM CDT

The founding fathers supported guns because they lived with guns, and by the way swords. I have no problem with people owning guns for hunting, target practice, even protection if used responsibily. I refuse to accept that putting no restrictions on use, carrying and type of weapon make me more free. There are rules on the type of vehicle you can drive ( you drive a non-road vehicle such as a race car on the public streets, you can't drive a military armed HumVee; and there are restrictions to off-road use and speed limits,;requirements that you be licensed after proving you are capable of driving, proving that the vehicle is safe and insured against improper use. Is that infringing on your rights too? All we ask is common sense in interpreting the rights and laws in the Bill of Rights. Free Speech is dandy but it is still illegal to shout fire in a crowded rooom where there is none, and it is illegal to incite violence.

| 0 minutes ago

denaliguide
May 14, 09 2:16 PM CDT

any time you want to sit in judgement of whom is or is not a posterchild and take over saying who can or cannot, we know your deal. Its not about NEED, its about RIGHT. Its about ACCOUNTABLITY. Pre-emptively eliminate all rights,you eliminate all crime, cept those who sit in judgment and power. Is that you? Reply

| 0 minutes ago

TerrifiedCitizen
May 14, 09 2:46 PM CDT

Bans on guns will work about as well as prohibition did and illicit drug bans do right now... There will always be guns in this world. A gun ban will only work on law abiding citizens... who will then be defenseless. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

voiceofreason
May 14, 09 3:29 PM CDT

I can't understand why everybody seems to think they can hide behind the 2nd amendment when it comes to owning weapons in the u.s.a. . The bill of rights didn't help a bit when it came to freedom of speech. That right has been trampled to death and no one seems to care. This country has a habit of taking a good idea and pushing it too far for example, a person used to be able to smoke anywhere and that wasn't fair to non-smokers so they created smoking and non smoking areas. great idea, but then they went to far and started outlawing smoking period, example 2 women used to be harassed in the work place so laws were made to prevent this which was good, but when a person can be accused of harassment by a third party while talking to a second party or for using profanity while talking to themselves things have gone way to far. Most of the men at my work place are scared to death of losing their jobs anytime they are around a women because of the ease that a woman has making sexual harassment claims. before the women weren't comfortable now the men aren't. example three. children used to be brutally abused in the past so laws were made to help prevent this great, but once again America went to far and now an adult can be arrested for even raising their voices at one of their children. Imagine what happens when children find out that little tidbit of info. Suddenly the children are raising the parents instead of vice versa. And your worried about guns the country is already destroying itself from the inside out. If things don't change soon the constitution will be worth less than a roll of TP Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Technicolor
May 14, 09 3:51 PM CDT

A crime is not a crime until it becomes one. The only cause of a crime is the individual, and if they follow their motives they will do it with any means necessary. I support the second amendment to the fullest extent. And I have not, nor will I ever, own a firearm. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

lthurman
May 14, 09 4:56 PM CDT

Jeez, talk about people wanting cradle to grave security and ready to give that responsibility to anyone. We don't need guns...for the most part we need nannies. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

freethemall
May 14, 09 6:11 PM CDT

I might as well get my two cents worth in here. Guns all right for hunting and target practice. Guns all right for personal protection. Guns NOT all right for use against the government in case it gets too big for it britches. Regardless of how you interpret the constitution, thats rebellion and treason. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

johntitor
May 14, 09 6:49 PM CDT

?!?! are you kidding me? Surely you jest? Wow the cliches are pouring out of my head. Um so I guess all the founding fathers were rebellious traitors? Yes they were...So many quotes as well. "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Are you so willing to walk into subservience? There will come a time AGAIN when the proles (you obviously, as well as me) WILL have to use force against the government(or in my opinion ruling class). Maybe im wrong and i certainly hope so (for progressions sake) but im sure that im not. Over and over and over again history proves me right. Power and money corrupt absolutely. Besides your 4th sentence falls in the same category as the 3rd. Who are you to determine otherwise? Lets go ask the branch davidians about personal protection...oh wait.... Also its pretty damn hard to commit treason in this country.

| 0 minutes ago

freethemall
May 14, 09 8:54 PM CDT

Look, johnitor, I agree with you that power and money corrupt. Also, as I've stated numerous times in previous post, I believe that if peaceful change is made impossible, then violent change is made inevitable. Moreover I think politics is class warfare (the struggle for power and influence). BUT, in a democracy it's a battle that is fought with ballots, not bullets. I see no reason to resort to violence at this point, and even if it were necessary I don't think the guns we are able to collect at gun shows etc. would be of much use against the United States Armed forces. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

johntitor
May 14, 09 9:30 PM CDT

ooops I should have replied here, instead of below..my bad

| 0 minutes ago

aether
May 14, 09 9:22 PM CDT

Not that it's bad, but is this the only picture of Meghan McCain this site has? Reply

| 0 minutes ago

johntitor
May 14, 09 9:29 PM CDT

First of all we ARE NOT a democracy. We never were and we never will be. Also I agree about the class warfare but only to the degree that anyone not in the top 5% has already lost the war. Yes at this point no violence please. (personally I believe that when the SHTF the ones inciting chaos will want widespread violence, but my crazy theories are beside the point.) Look Kent state is long gone and in the event of violent military action our own military will be on our side. (trust me alot of military guys agree and also believe in my crazy personal theories lol) I mean who wants to destroy thier own home and kill their own people? Its an outside military force that worries me (UN) as those in control of our world use them (UN) as a tool before our own government. The guns you can collect at gun shows are every bit as real is those our military have. In fact I own a very nice little m-4 thats exactly the same (except semi-auto) as what our troops carry. During the Balkan war the British and Argentinian forces used the same rifle (fnfal) except the Argentinian's were semi-automatic. Overwhelmingly the British forces dropped their own full automatics and went for the semi. Why? Because you can pick your shots, and that makes you much more deadly and efficient. Whats the difference between an AK here in the states and one in iraq? Mines not full of sand and I know how to shoot. Reply

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freethemall
May 15, 09 12:14 AM CDT

Yeah, yeah, I know, not a democracy, but a republic. I realize that a democracy is direct rule by the people. But a republic has been defined by some as a representative democracy. A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives, is how my dictionary defines democracy. Or is my dictionary a tool of the conspiracy to form a one world government that threatens us all? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

johntitor
May 15, 09 12:42 PM CDT

AAhh here we get off into Aldous Huxley. As I mentioned before the doors of perception are very deep. When asked "sir what have you given us?" Benjamin Franklin replied; "a republic if you can keep it." Well we did not, and not even for very long at that. We see how soviet statism (we never actually saw pure communism anywhere) was scewed and corrupted, however the majority of the people inside the system at the time believed fully. Its much harder to see whats going on from the inside (especially when ALL the news and entertainment in the world are owned by the same two firms(Reuters, AP)) and even more so when you believe in the system. Do you really think we have anything resembling direct democracy now? Our government is a puppet show for your benefit. I WANT to agree with you and believe that we have the power to change all of this, but the fact of the matter is most Americans don't even realize what "this" is. One world government is inevitable, my fear is it will act the way the U.S. and the west has acted the past two hundred years; focused solely on resources and money to the detriment of humanity. The sad thing is very few realize this here, everyone is so sure we're in the right. Yeah its right to bomb out a countries infrastructure and then sell it back to them. We have been wrong for a long time; our paradigm makes us cruel and calculated and inhuman. I can prove this a hundred times over through our history. A lot of the people that hate our "freedoms" all over the world really just hate our actions.

| 0 minutes ago

PaleRider
May 15, 09 5:14 AM CDT

Anyone who believes that guns should not exist should promptly display a large sign on their front porch in support of their belief that states, "This is a Gun Free House". Anyone who cannot immediately see why this would be a bad idea is not intelligent enough to posses a gun safely anyway. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

cornelison
May 15, 09 9:51 AM CDT

There will be growing number of young adults who will be future conservatives. They're not pleased with the current Republicans. Young people see them as out of touch & perpetuating old ideas. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
May 15, 09 10:04 AM CDT

Conservative means perpetuating old ideas. The dictionary definition is: Holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or innovation, typically in relation to politics or religion.

IN RESPONSE:

johntitor
May 15, 09 12:46 PM CDT

Im hoping the youth will see this conservative vs. liberal paradigm for the farce that it is....

| 0 minutes ago

freethemall
May 15, 09 2:05 PM CDT

johnitor, I agree with you about soviet statism and communism. Not many people realize this. You seem knowledgeable about history. I wonder if you've heard this one, by Voltaire (I think and this is a paraphrase): Those who overthrow despotism by violent means, will only find themselves subject new despots.? Or, from the Declaration of Independence: "Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes: accordingly all experience hath shewn, mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable... ". My point is this: I think it prudent (at least for the time being) to not resort to violence. I suppose you would agree with that, but you think we should be armed and ready. I'm not so sure about that. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

johntitor
May 15, 09 3:11 PM CDT

Very well put...and very true..I couldn't agree more. Though my attitude is very often pessimistic in this regard. Due to my own perceptions I often view the world we live in as a very dark place. Violence should always be our last resort and I personally desire it to be so. We haven't solved a damn thing in the past 2000 years with violence. Im just not so sure that the current system would ever fall without violence, something that is heartbreaking to me. Many feel they should work within the system for change, (your attitude i think?) and this is good. Our country needs people like you who still see the good we do and can do. However the country also needs people like me; those who see our country and government as blinders while those in control carry out their true agenda; money and power. Yes Its a dark lens I view the world through but I don't live in fear (partially because of guns). Thanks to education and especially the internet people all around the world is finding out that we don't really want to kill one another. When everyone wakes up and realizes we're the same then this paradigm of economic growth through competition and exploitation will fall and we wont need guns. I hope we don't. I hope that everyone sees whats really happening. We did'nt fight WW2 to stop the holocaust, we fought to stop Hitler from getting all the stuff we wanted. We did the exact same thing he would have had he won, we just did it with incrementalism instead of blitzkrieg. (Opec?) In this case its the banks and money that rule the world and not a clear apparent governmental force. This makes influence much easier to hide and much harder to battle. Our greatest crimes have not been done by our military, (they're just the tools often) but in the name of our luxuries and resources. Thats why nike can move into asia and pay thier workers just enough to barely live and we justify it ourselves. Our technological, and economic growth as an ideal (the west) has been incredible. But our lack of humanity the past 300 years alone has condemned us. (like anyone else has been better lol)

| 0 minutes ago

voiceofreason
May 18, 09 8:12 PM CDT

johntitor, you responded to me earlier insinuating that freedom of press hasn't been tampered with. Ever wonder what happened to Bill Maher, or Howard Stern? They had to leave public media due to outrageous fines when speaking the opinions. Whether you like either one of them or not it is still a blatant violation of our freedom of speech. the FCC is unconstitutional period Reply

IN RESPONSE:

johntitor
May 19, 09 12:57 PM CDT

I believe that Howard Stern still has a radio show and saw I Bill Maher on television just yesterday I think. Both continue to have successful careers. When your idea of expressing your rights is making a living by insulting other people or groups (especially as butt-hurt as everyone gets in our overly PC society) you should expect some backlash and shock journalists do. Ask Matt Stone and Trey Parker about free speech. They fought and won and the Scientology episode DID air. (have you SEEN southpark?) Yes I hate the FCC, but recognize it for what it is, a bureaucracy attempting to make money and regulate what it has no business doing so. (Formed by a democrat no less) No I don't wonder what happened to Bill Maher or Howard stern, I only have to turn on the television, internet or radio to find out (or even the theaters in bills case (religulous 2008)). Where do you live?

| 0 minutes ago

View all 36 comments »

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Meghan McCain: Don't Politicize, Take My Guns