Cruz says Obama going after guns with ‘stand your ground’ remark
(CNN) – President Barack Obama’s suggestion that state “Stand your Ground” laws should be examined after the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin could amount to an assault on the right of Americans to own guns, Sen. Ted Cruz said in Iowa Friday.
Speaking after addressing a Republican group, Cruz told reporters he hadn’t yet watched Obama’s remarks. But when asked to respond to Obama’s call for a review of laws in individual states, Cruz responded by saying the president was trampling on constitutionally guaranteed rights.
“It is not surprising that the president uses, it seems, every opportunity that he can to go after our Second Amendment right to bear arms,” the Texas Republican said. “This president and this administration has a consistent disregard for the Bill of Rights.”
For example, Cruz said the Obama administration was violating free speech guarantees by “restricting the rights of our servicemen and women to share their faith and not be gagged,” and that the use of drones raised other constitutional questions.
Obama on Friday made his first public comments about the acquittal of George Zimmerman last week in Martin’s shooting death in 2012.
In his speech, Obama called for reconsideration of “Stand your Ground” self-defense laws in Florida and other states.
“I think it would be useful for us to examine some state and local laws to see if they are designed in such a way that they may encourage the kinds of altercations and confrontations and tragedies that we saw in the Florida case, rather than diffuse potential altercations,” Obama said.
The Republican party is the party of cowards.......they are always afraid of something.(Taking my guns, socialist, attacking Christmas, Death panels, etc.)
The real issue is that not everyone can afford a gun. Maybe if they gave a gun to everyone this would just sort its way out in a Darwinian sort of way. Survival of the quickest.
Obama is a mindless idiot ....fun to watch you libbies try and avoid that fact.
LOL. If Obama said trees are green Mr. Ted would say they were white...............
Mr. Cruz
It won't surprise that the NRA and gun makers contribute heavily to your campaign. You a great advertisement to buy more guns
"Cruz told reporters he hadn’t yet watched Obama’s remarks"
It didn't stop him from commenting on them.
I also agree with President Obama when he asked what would have happened if Trayvon was of age and carrying a weapon with a CHL and he responded to this hulk approaching him and shot him? Well, esteemed right wing swifities, what of it?! It also points out what a great piece of neighborhood watch security guy Zimmerman was if this little guy, by comparison, could take him down and beat on him. Do you want that guy watching your back? I think not.
Fact is, President Obama never mentioned guns in his comments. Fact is, Republicans are dedicated to relating everything he says to guns or healthcare. Let's admit we have a problem when a law allows fatal response to emotional cues. Put on your thinking caps, folks.
Guess those of you who support Cruz missed the part where he said he 'hadn't read Obama's statement' It is not about guns it is about being clear about when you shot. As usual there are lots of people willing to follow anyone that supports their opinion even if you haven't read it either. It is a sad statement about the state of our country
Cruz is stoking paranoia. No one has had any guns taken away, even if the laws proposed were passed – and they haven't been passed. The fear keeps getting amped up, the guns and ammunition keep flying off of the shelves.
It's your money... but it's a little crazy. I have the guns I want, I don't buy more to keep the ones I have – it just doesn't make sense.
The 2nd Amendment rights should not be the focus of this conversation. Zimmerman pursued Martin even though he was instructed by the police dispatcher to disengage and no obvious or imminent danger existed outside of this pursuit. Zimmerman clearly pursued this kid because of his skin color and violated his civil rights under the guise of SYG. The NRA will lose ground by attaching its name to this case and should keep its nose out.
"Cruz is stoking paranoia"
Cruz IS stroking paranoia and our media wouldn't have it any other way. Indeed. The media eggs these fools on.
let us know what part of texas represents so we can avoid it.
what a nut case!!!!
I once thought that George Bush was the dumbest president ever but now I have to throw that honor to Obama. He doesnt have a clue about anything and it is increasingly apparent that he is also a racist.
I think they have to write a simple sentance into stand your ground. Any and all self defense should come with this in mind. If your gonna use a gun you can not peruse a person. To stand your ground or to use self defense implys you are being attacked. You may not instigate a fight by getting in someone's face cursing and pushing a person then shoot them when your loosing the fight. That's the problem with the law it is far from clear and if you wind up in court the court should explain the law in a clear way not answer the jury's question with a question as in the Martian case
Cruz is paranoid but Obamas comments are clearly political since Stand Your Ground had nothing to do with the defense.
fact is: stand your ground was never a factor in the Trayvon case. Obama is trying to mislead people yet again. I am so sick of his lies, he just can't seem to ever tell the truth.
As one who carries a firearm protecting a government site in Va, here's one of the commandments of gun safety:
"Always know your target and what lies beyond it".
Seems to be that since Cruz had not watched Obama's remarks, he knows neither and just pulled the trigger.
So if Obama declares tomorrow to be National Pie Eating Day......that means he's going after the guns too, right ?
if you let this GOONIE do this next year he will be running your house
Senator John McCain described Cruz as a "Wacko Bird"..Enough said.
Texas owes the nation an apology for all the RW extremists and nincompoops that it has sent to Washington. While am at it, no more Bushes!!! Jeb, stay home in 2016. Ditto for Cruz.
Watching Cruz lie like a dog just today was very instructive. Seems wingers will back anyone.
The jury's instructions were based completely on Stand Your Ground. Can you patriots keep anything straight??