Cheney takes aim at Kerry
With a crowd of 4,000 people chanting "four more years," Vice President Dick Cheney told attendees Saturday of the National Rifle Association's annual convention at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center that he is one of them.
"I still look forward at every chance to join up with friends and go hunting," said Cheney, describing himself as a life-long gun owner.
In a 27-minute speech touching on the war on terrorism, the economy and the rights of hunters and fishermen, Cheney repeatedly tore into the record of presumptive Democratic nominee John Kerry, who is expected to face President Bush in the Nov. 2 election.
Cheney said Kerry has voted repeatedly for gun-control measures, including long waiting periods for gun buyers, and often blames gun manufacturers for crimes that criminals commit.
"Senator Kerry's approach has been to regulate, regulate, then regulate some more," Cheney said.
Saying gun crimes have dropped sharply since President Bush took office in January 2001, Cheney told the crowd the administration's approach has been to enforce existing laws rather than pass new legislation.
"The way to fight gun crimes is to go after the criminals themselves and not the law-abiding gun owners of America," Cheney said.
Targeting terrorism
Cheney's tough talk on the war on terror also drew cheers and standing ovations.
U.S. enemies cannot be appeased, deterred or dissuaded from trying to attack the country, the vice president said.
"They can only be destroyed, and that is the business at hand," Cheney said.
He said the recent upsurge of violence in Iraq has tested the nation's will but pledged the Bush administration will continue the fight in that country and wherever terrorist threats loom.
"We will continue taking decisive action until the danger to our country is removed," Cheney said.
He blasted as "irresponsible" a recent Kerry vote against an increase in military spending for the Iraq mission.
In brief remarks on the economy, Cheney lauded recent figures showing new jobs being created and renewed support for tax cuts.
The vice president's appearance followed by a day campaign stops by Kerry in the region, who told supporters Friday at the University of Pittsburgh that Cheney's criticisms of his patriotism were not valid. Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran, said questions need to be raised about the U.S. military action in Iraq.
Courting concerns
Cheney's appearance at the convention took place as the NRA is mobilizing supporters to block efforts in Congress to extend the impending expiration of a ban on assault-style rifles that was passed during the Clinton administration. The measure is set to expire Sept. 13.
NRA spokeswoman Kelly Hobbs said the ban merely outlaws guns that look a certain way and has no effect on barring ownership of machine guns, which have been illegal in the United States since the 1930s.
But the hottest topic of political talk at the convention is the U.S. Supreme Court, said David Keene, 58, of Alexandria, Va., an NRA board member. He said members are watching several important gun-owner rights cases working their way toward the nation's top court and realize that whoever wins the presidential election likely will name several new U.S. Supreme Court justices.
"So to a lot of members, this is probably the year that is going to make the big difference for a whole lot of reasons," Keene said as he examined a rack of high-end Italian rifles.
The big draw seems to be the multitude of booths stuffed with the latest pistols, rifles, military-style weapons, knives, clothing, hunting guide services, ammo specialists and more.
"It's pretty informative, but it's a little bit overwhelming," said Keith Burleigh, 37, of Turtle Creek.
In booth after booth, members of the largely white, male, middle-age crowd lovingly eyed down gunsights as the sound of triggers clicking on empty chambers filled the air.
Burleigh, who said he wanted to look at a new Glock pistol but was driven back by the crowd at the manufacturer's booth, is among the one-fourth of the NRA's 1 million members who live within 300 miles of Pittsburgh.
Organizers expect 60,000 visitors during the three-day event, which concludes today.
Jack Groves, 75, of Shadyside, Ohio, visited the convention with his son and two grandsons to check out the latest guns.
"The best thing is they've got people you can talk to and ask questions of," said Groves, explaining that catalogues and magazines can provide only so much information.
Groves, who said he gave up hunting as he aged and now shoots only targets, said he is impressed with the large number of manufacturers at the convention.
"This will probably be the only time I get to see this," he said.
Recalling Columbine
Not all visitors are gun enthusiasts, however.
About 100 protesters, including community activists and family members of shooting victims, gathered yesterday afternoon in the parking lot in front of the convention center to voice their opposition to the NRA -- in speeches and songs.
As the protesters sang and chanted, their voices echoed through the walkway underneath the convention center's west lobby.
The father of a student killed in the mass shooting April 20, 1999 at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. -- Tom Mauser -- said he would like a response from NRA leadership to his grief, but "they won't talk to victims of gun violence." Tuesday will mark the fifth anniversary of the Columbine shootings.
Mauser, originally from Finleyville, yesterday wore the shoes that his son, Daniel, had on the day he died.
"Nobody should have to walk in shoes like these," said his father, now of Littleton in suburban Denver.
Knots of convention-goers paused and took in the sights and sounds of the anti-gun rally. Some were stopped by Dan Davin, 13, of Carrick. The seventh-grader said he had learned about the potential dangers of weapons by watching the documentary film "Bowling for Columbine" and believes the NRA's promotion of gun ownership spurs violence.
"I hope to change their mind about the NRA," Davin said.
Today's events
8 a.m. Registration and NRA Store open.
9 a.m. NRA Air Gun Range opens, Great American Hunter's Game Calling Challenge.
9:30 a.m. Special sessions: "National Gun Collectors Awards Presentation"; "Women's Wear and Wilderness Gear."
10 a.m. Exhibit hall open until 5 p.m.
11 a.m. Special sessions: "Should You Hunt in Africa?"; "Methods of Conceal-Carry."
1:30 p.m. Special Session: "God, Guns & Rock 'n Roll -- Celebrate the American Dream & the Second Amendment with Ted Nugent." Nugent will sign books and give autographs after his presentation.
Staff writer Violet Law contributed to this report.
