American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA) Endorse Obama for President

His Vote Supporting "Vitter Amendment" Demonstrates His Fundamental
Understanding of 2nd Amendment

WASHINGTON, April 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Hunters and
Shooters Association (AHSA) announced the endorsement of Senator Barack Obama
on a national conference call this morning organized by the Obama for
President campaign. AHSA President Ray Schoenke made the following statement
in his endorsement of Senator Obama:
My name is Ray Schoenke, President of the American Hunters and Shooters
Association and we are today announcing our endorsement of Senator Barack
Obama for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.
As a gun rights organization we have not come to this decision lightly.
We were formed two years ago because our research shows that millions of gun
owners wanted a change. They not only wanted an organization that would
protect their gun rights but an organization that was also committed to the
protection of their communities as well as the protection of our lands.
We reached out to the Obama campaign several weeks ago to offer our
support and approval as was reported by Paul Bedard of US News and World
Report.
We believe recent attacks on Senator Obama's stand on the 2nd Amendment
and his commitment to our hunting and shooting heritage are unfair and
American Hunters and Shooters Association is stepping up to set the record
straight.
Senator Obama has clearly demonstrated his commitment to the 2nd Amendment
by his vote in support of the Vitter amendment to HR 5441, the Department of
Homeland Security Appropriations bill of 2007. This amendment prevents the
Government from confiscating guns in a time of crisis or emergency.
Imagine how the citizens felt during Hurricane Katrina when government
agents kicked in doors to confiscate law abiding citizens' guns at a time when
they needed them the most. We know Senator Obama "gets it." To say that he
is an elitist is patently ridiculous.
To hunters and shooters everywhere, Senator Obama's vote demonstrated a
fundamental understanding of the meaning of the 2nd Amendment which means he
recognizes the individual right of all citizens to keep and bear arms.
Senator Clinton, on the hand, failed to grasp the importance of this critical
issue to hunters and shooters and voted against this Amendment. She turned
her back on America's gun owners.
In addition, Senator Obama's commitment to conservation and protection of
our natural resources and access to public lands demonstrates to us his
commitment to America's hunting and shooting heritage.
Senator Obama will be a strong and authentic voice for America's hunters
and shooters and it is with great pleasure that we endorse his candidacy.
Alan M. Madison
Madison & Company LLC
202-223-7031 direct
202-841-3341 cell

SOURCE American Hunters and Shooters Association

Alan M. Madison of Madison & Company LLC, +1-202-223-7031, direct,
+1-202-841-3341, cell, for American Hunters and Shooters Association