Just remember this the next time your favorite gun-controller tries to argue there's no slippery slope when it comes to banning "assault" rifles, high-capacity magazines, etc.

 

And while we're at guns, a bit of congratulations is in order to Rep. Bill Flores.  On Friday, December 28, Flores told me during our conversation on his views on gun control that he owns a "so-called assault rifle."  (Listen to the full interview here.  The gun control discussion begins around 12:30)

After I made a joke about his comment on twitter (@shanewarnershow), the comment was picked up by the Waco Trib. 

In today's environment and push for more gun control, including proposals to ban "assault" rifles or high-capacity magazines, it took a spine (or a political communication misstep) to admit he owned one of those weapons (as do I, for the record).  And to his credit, Flores didn't back down from using the term when talking to the Trib:

The comment came days after incoming state Rep. Kyle Kacal, R-Bryan, faced a barrage of criticism for comments opposing gun control. Kacal, whose district includes part of McLennan County, attracted international media attention for saying falling flat-screen TVs and pingpong accidents were more dangerous to children than guns.

Flores, whose 17th Congressional District includes the Waco area, did not elaborate on his gun ownership during the radio interview.

He later told the Tribune-Herald he bought a semiautomatic AR-15 rifle about four years ago when he thought they would be banned but has never fired it.

Police have said an AR-15 rifle was one of the weapons used by the Newtown, Conn., gunman, who killed 20 students and six adults before killing himself on Dec. 14.

“I used to hunt, but I don’t have time anymore,” Flores said. “But if I did, it would be a great deer rifle.”

Flores also said he owns “a couple of” long guns and a shotgun for hunting, as well as handguns for self-defense.

While I understand the news value in a member of Congress admiting he owns an "assault" rifle in today's media climate, I think it was unfair to somehow link it to the absurd comments made by state Rep. Kyle Kacal.  And I also don't think Flores or anyone else is under any obligation to tell us what kinds of legal products they own as long as they're not trying to ban them. 

And just for some icing on this gun talk cake here, liberal New York Senator Charles Schumer, a big gun control advocate, used to heap praise and tax dollars on the company who makes the types of guns he now wants to ban.  Hypocrite.