Friday, June 27, 2008

OH-16: Boccieri Conflicted on Second Amendment Does Fundraiser with Fisher

State Senator John Boccieri sent out a press release on the recent decision by the United States Supreme Court to overturn the handgun ban
in DC, saying;
“I applaud the Supreme Court for affirming our individual Second Amendment rights, not only as a gun owner but as a member of the military. The Court has shown that the Constitution still protects Americans’ bedrock rights and liberties.”
[Source]

John Boccieri’s statements on the Second Amendment are disingenuous at best, and potentially outright misleading. Within twenty four hours of the Supreme Court upholding the individual right to bear arms, Sen. Boccieri held a fundraiser with Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher.

Lee Fisher has a well deserved reputation throughout the state of Ohio for being notoriously anti-gun. As state senator, he once stated that “I never met a gun control bill I didn’t like,” has served on the board of the anti-gun Brady Campaign, and has an F- rating from the NRA.

As someone who owns a weapon himself, it is very strange that Sen. Boccieri would freely associate with an anti-gun crusader like Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher. Gun owners throughout the district can not help but feel cynical that the reason why John Boccieri would partner himself and his campaign with the lieutenant governor was simply to raise fast cash rather than take a principled stand in favor of Second Amendment rights.

If John Boccieri is willing to associate himself now with an opponent of the traditions and values of the district that he seeks to represent, it is hard to imagine that he would be willing to fight for those same traditions and values if elected to Washington.