Opinion
Washington, DC –-(AmmoLand.com)- There is a showdown coming in Arizona – and it has Second Amendment implications. No, we’re not talking about the Gunfight at the OK Corral. We’re talking the Senate race between Representatives Martha McSally (Republican) and Kyrsten Sinema (Democrat). In this case, on Second Amendment issues, there is a very clear choice.
Let’s take a look at McSally’s record. It’s pretty short – but there is a good reason for that. She spent 26 years serving in the United States Air Force, flying the A-10 Thunderbolt II and seeing action in Iraq and Afghanistan in the Global War on Terror. So, we have a little over three years of voting records, and about six years of campaign statements.
But that relatively short record is a very good one. According to Project VoteSmart, McSally’s lowest rating from the National Rifle Association or Gun Owners of America is 86 percent – from her 2012 run against a former aide to Gabrielle Giffords.
She voted for the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act and the STOP School Violence Act. Perhaps the only question mark is her support for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to re-review whether or not a bump-stock ban should be imposed.
Kyrsten Sinema, on the other hand, has a longer track record. It’s not a good one for gun owners: As a state lawmaker, she generally voted against Second Amendment rights. Among the bills she opposed was a measure protecting those who warn a potential attacker that they are armed. Such a warning – or the mere display of a firearm – can prevent a crime, or halt one in progress. Just ask Nick Meli.
In general, Sinema was opposed to just about any pro-Second Amendment legislation. Whether it was to exempt firearms made and kept in Arizona from federal gun laws, keeping officials from confiscating guns in an emergency, or reducing the burdens on concealed carry holders, Sinema voted no. Well, there was one big exception: She ducked a vote on concealed carry on college campuses. Well, she was running for Congress in 2012, and trying to seem more moderate after a lengthy amount of time as a left-wing activist who smeared American troops.
In Congress, it has not been much better. Kyrsten Sinema voted against the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act and to allow Washington D.C. to maintain some of its draconian restrictions on Second Amendment rights. She’s no friend of sportsmen, either.
So, let’s be very blunt, Kyrsten Sinema has a horrible track record, just on her state legislative and Congressional votes. Also problematic is Sinema’s support for so-called “campaign finance reform.” These bills, going far further than McCain-Feingold, would actually help muzzle pro-Second Amendment voices.
The United States Senate, though, is a big deal for another reason: Judicial nominations.
This is why Senator Jon Tester of Montana needs to be replaced. McSally is likely to vote for the types of judges who will uphold our Second Amendment rights, and supports the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh.
Sinema has been vague on the Kavanaugh nomination, largely since it has come up in the context of the Senate race in Arizona, which last had a Democratic Senator in 1994, when Jon Kyl replaced the retiring Dennis DeConcini. But as is the case with Tester, her first vote will be to put Charles Schumer in charge of the Senate’s agenda and would potentially see Dianne Feinstein running the Senate Judiciary Committee.
If Schumer is running the Senate, forget about any judges, other than those he finds acceptably activist. Schumer was the main force in the Democrats’ strategy of filibustering the judicial nominees for appeals courts during the George W. Bush Administration. If he gets the Senate, he’ll hold the seats open until a Democratic president can fill the openings – and Schumer-approved nominees will not just strike down Heller and McDonald, they will also give the green light to laws intended to muzzle defenders of the Second Amendment. Laws Sinema has promised to vote for.
Martha McSally may not be the first choice for some Second Amendment supporters, but with the alternative being Sinema, it is a very easy call to send McSally to the Senate. Click here to find out how you can support her bid.
About Harold Hutchison
Writer Harold Hutchison has more than a dozen years of experience covering military affairs, international events, U.S. politics and two decades of professional experience with Second Amendment issues. Harold was consulting senior editor at Soldier of Fortune magazine and is the author of the novel Strike Group Reagan. He has also written for the Daily Caller, National Review, Patriot Post, Strategypage.com, and other national websites.
Yes better than Cinabun but, mark my word a rhino in sheep’s clothing. McCain, Flake.
As I tell people, voting for McSally means we’ll have a Senator that might work for the people of Arizona and America while voting for Sinema will put in place a person who will NOT work for the people of Arizona and America.
As a registered AZ voter I see Sinema – if it’s possible – being another Mc Cain only on steroids!
Sinema is a self-described Prada Socialist. This very confused woman is good at one thing. She practices a very sophisticated brand of chameleon politics where she can speak for 30 minutes and say absolutely nothing beyond Obama style hope-a-dope. Those of us who live in Arizona because we cherish liberty need to call out this fraud.
AZ voters, don’t be complacent. Get out and vote for this one, the alternative is a career politician. And while your at it keep Lesko in office. Dr. Hiral is so clueless she thinks border crossings are the only place that illegals come into the state. You have to wonder if she even lives here.
A10 “Warthogs” ROCK !!!!! One awesome lady there, McSally all the way !
Ask her about the time she went to fly a mission, without any fuel. John McCain just died. Meet Martha McFeign.
An American for America, Martha McSally……………….Go Get Them.
For the Arizona people this is a simple decision. Vote for a fighter,(pilot). Vote McSally.