Second Amendment activists are raising red flags over the possible nomination of retired Army Gen. David Petraeus for a cabinet spot in the Donald Trump administration because earlier this year, they say the general jumped on the gun control bandwagon.
When CNN reported back in June that Petraeus was “teaming up with retired NASA astronaut Mark Kelly to create a new group urging greater gun control,” it infuriated many American gun owners. Kelly is the husband of former Congresswoman Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords, survivor of the Tucson shooting. Together they founded Americans for Responsible Solutions, a big money gun control lobbying group.
Petraeus and Kelly formed the Veterans Coalition for Common Sense. Here’s how CNN described the action in June:
The group will feature veterans from every branch of the military who are urging lawmakers to toughen gun laws, the organization said in a news release.
According to Matt Vespa at Townhall, the organization ostensibly is devoted to preventing suicide among veterans. The story noted that, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, “a firearm was used in 70 percent of suicides among male service members between 2001-2011.”
Petraeus has been discussed as a possible pick for Secretary of State. That jet may be cooling, considering the high-profile chats that Trump has been having with former Gov. Mitt Romney, who also has some baggage regarding gun rights.
For all his talk about “draining the swamp,” Trump has been alarming some conservatives who think the swamp may only develop a slow leak.
The acid test for firearms rights activists may be who Trump nominates to fill the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court, and other spots in the lower federal courts. They want to see pro-rights judges and justices on the bench, but they do not want gun control proponents in the cabinet.
Gun rights advocates want Trump to “make the Second Amendment great again.” He can’t do that by eroding the confidence of millions of voters who helped put him in office.
Related:
How Donald Trump Can Make The Second Amendment Great Again
Anti-gunners Eating Crow; Ohio Attacker Stopped by Good Guy with Gun
