Corbett, Onorato set sights differently on guns
Share with others:
HARRISBURG -- Guns have been a loud part of life in Pennsylvania ever since William Penn claimed his woods in the 1680s.
And firearms have also become an important issue this year in the race for governor between Democrat Dan Onorato and Republican Tom Corbett.
Mr. Onorato, Allegheny County executive, traveled to Philadelphia Monday to receive the endorsement of CeaseFire PA, a group which is seeking to reduce gun violence and illegal handguns in the state.
Group President Phil Goldsmith said the Democrat "is the only candidate who will protect our streets from gun violence and institute common-sense solutions," such as putting child safety locks on guns, "mandatory reporting of stolen guns and closing the 'Florida loophole' [for gun permits]. They're in the best interest of everyday Pennsylvanians and law-abiding gun owners."
Mr. Onorato said he is a "strong believer in gun owners' rights, and I know that we can respect those rights while making our communities safer. Cracking down on illegal handguns will be a top priority when I'm governor."
One of CeaseFire PA's top goals is enactment of a lost or stolen handgun law, which would require owners to immediately report to police when any of their handguns are lost or stolen. Critics say that guns that owners claim are "lost or stolen" often end up being sold to criminals who use them to commit other offenses.
Some anti-violence groups also seek to limit a person to buying just one gun per month.
But state legislators have been reluctant to enact either measure, in large part due to strong opposition from the politically potent National Rifle Association, which has 4 million members nationally and thousands in this state. It will soon begin sending each member a voter card, listing its endorsed candidates in each state.
The NRA is the opposite of CeaseFire PA. In late September, the NRA's Political Victory Fund endorsed Mr. Corbett, the state attorney general.
"Tom Corbett is a friend of ours," NRA official John Hohenwarter said. "He has an A rating with the NRA and believes that self-defense is an extension of the Second Amendment."
"I will always be an advocate for hunters and sportsmen," Mr. Corbett told the NRA. "Hunting is a wonderful tradition in this state. I've always been impressed with how sportsmen and women treat the environment with such great respect."
The opposing candidates differ on two major gun-related measures now before the state Legislature, issues that have come up during gubernatorial debates. One is whether to close the so-called "Florida loophole."
First Published October 19, 2010 12:00 am
