Unintended irony alert! Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, issued the following statement about Tea Party winners in Republican primaries:
America deserves better than to have its politics controlled by people who are far outside the mainstream on sensible gun laws. The Tea Party winners to this point are people who are wrong on the gun issue.
In Delaware, New York, Nevada, Utah, Kentucky and Alaska, statewide candidates who reject common sense gun laws have won Republican primaries. Carl Paladino in New York wants to repeal the state’s assault weapons law; Sharron Angle in Nevada seeks ‘Second Amendment solutions’ to problems; Joe Miller in Alaska wants people to carry guns in Wal-Marts; Mike Lee in Utah implies that since the Constitution doesn’t specifically outlaw machine guns that we shouldn’t be able to restrict them; Kentucky’s Rand Paul wants to allow states to opt out of Federal gun laws like those requiring background checks and preventing felons from buying guns; and Christine O’Donnell in Delaware criticized Congressman Mike Castle’s centrist position on guns. On the gun issue, these Tea Party Republicans are out of touch with the American people.
Congressman Michael Castle has served his home state and his country with class for many years. The devotion he has given to victims of gun violence in America has been profoundly appreciated. As a fellow Republican who supports common sense gun laws, I have long respected his principled stand on an issue that should transcend politics, but instead is too often used as a wedge political tool. Jim and Sarah Brady and the Brady Campaign are extremely grateful for his service.”
As the nation’s largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.
