Nothing solidifies a candidate’s support for the Second Amendment like packing heat on the campaign trail. But when a Republican candidate for Georgia governor tried this gun trick he looked less like Eddie the gun-safety Eagle and more like Yosemite Sam.
I’m a conservative businessman with a 4-Point Plan to put hardworking Georgians first. I’m also the proud father of 3 teenage girls. Here’s the thing: If you want to date one of my daughters, you better have respect for women & a healthy appreciation for the 2nd Amendment. #gapol pic.twitter.com/dQvvfk06Rh
— Brian Kemp (@BrianKempGA) April 27, 2018
Brian Kemp cleans a double barreled shotgun while lecturing his daughter’s boyfriend on the goals of his campaign and the rules for dating one of his daughters in a new campaign ad. But when Kemp slams the break action shut, Kemp appears ready to blow off the poor boy’s kneecap.
Despite the inevitable controversy, my guess is that in rural Georgia the ad will resonate and generate its intended laughs. And it is becoming more common: Former Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore pulled a gun on a crowd and Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Ind., featured an AR-15 in one of his campaign ads. But if Republicans are going to lock and load in order to persuade voters to head to the polls, here are three political gun safety rules.
ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
The most basic requirement of responsible gun ownership is to always point the muzzle in a safe direction. Candidates should not point guns at supporters, opponents, or their daughter’s boyfriends.
ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
Candidates should keep their finger off of the trigger until they are actually ready to shoot an activity that preferably takes place at a gun range not while visiting constituents.
ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Candidates should always check to see if the safety is on, the action is open, and that the gun is unloaded before handling. To avoid accidents, they should keep the firearms unloaded until they are ready to fire.
These three requirements are a slight variation of the fundamental NRA rules for safe gun handling, and they are important if Republicans want to demonstrate and not undermine support the Second Amendment.
