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Gun rights advocates split between McCollum, Dockery
Posted Nov 12, 2009 by William March
Updated Nov 12, 2009 at 05:59 PM
Florida gun rights advocates appear to be splitting up between Republican candidates for governor, Bill McCollum and Paula Dockery.
Marion Hammer, influential state NRA lobbyist, endorses Dockery—a fact Dockery trumpeted at some length in her first campaign speech at a kickoff rally Tuesday night.
But Bill Bunting, influential Pasco County Republican Party official and informal head of a statewide network of gun enthusiasts, backs McCollum.
Both McCollum and Dockery have histories of supporting gun rights. Bunting says McCollum’s work has been more valuable, noting that as attorney general, he filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of a case that seeks to establish that owning a gun is an individual right under the Constitution that can’t be abrogated by state law.
Hammer “should butt out,” Bunting said bluntly.
Hammer, meanwhile, cites Dockery’s “perfect A+ record on Second Amendment issues,” and says she “has been and continues to be an outstanding leader in our fight to protect and preserve gun rights in Florida.”
Both Hammer and Bunting have large email lists of avid supporters eager to vote for pro-gun candidates.
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Reader Comments
Por (We choose the Hammer) on November 12, 2009 (Suggest removal)
WE CHOOSE THE HAMMER!!!!
Bill Bunting represents his own self-interests. He may have a big email list but people know he represents himself.
Marion Hammer represents the NRA and millions of gun owners in Florida. Bunting’s gun rights are safe because of Marion Hammer’s work. Bunting is a blow-hard and gun owners will take Hammer and the NRA over Bunting any day.
Again, WE CHOOSE THE HAMMER!!!!
Suggest removalPor (I'm The NRA & I Vote) on November 12, 2009 (Suggest removal)
I have a bumper sticker that says “I’m the NRA and I vote” and I do vote the way they ask me to.
Never saw a bumper sticker that says “I’m Bill Bunting and I Vote.” Never happen sport.
Suggest removalPor (I vote PRO-GUN) on November 12, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Yes we’re eager to vote for pro-gun candidates and that sure isn’t Bill McCollum. Bunting need to stick to making money teaching gun classes at gun shows and leave the Second Amendment to real patriots.
Vote for Paula Dockery, the REAL pro-gun candidate for Governor!
Suggest removalPor (864210) on December 02, 2009 (Suggest removal)
I’ll be voting for Paula Dockery, a true 2nd Amendment advocate. Marion Hammer is always a straight shooter and her endorsement and knowledge of the political scene means a lot.
Bunting NEVER endorses anyone except when he expects a payback from a willing lemming politician. Bunting’s endorsement of McCollum has done Paula Dockery more good than it will McCollum. NO one will vote for McCollum because of Bunting, but a LOT of people will vote for Paula Dockery because of Marion Hammer.
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