February 2010

Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund is pleased to endorse Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate in Florida.

Pro-gunners in Florida have a champion in Marco Rubio, a first generation American whose parents fled Castro’s Cuba in 1970.

Mr. Rubio caught gun owners’ attention when he showcased his understanding of the Second Amendment in his sharp criticism of Judge Sonia Sotomayor.  His specific concerns with Sotomayor were based on a fear that someone who legislates from the bench based on empathy is a danger to all of our rights, and, as he pointed out, particularly the Second Amendment.  

Rubio cites her history and testimony in a New York case and her answers on gun rights issues during her Senate confirmation hearings as being problematic for gun owners.

“I support judges who will respect the rule of law, strictly interpret our Constitution and not legislate from the bench,” said Rubio.  “I opposed Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court.  As a whole, Judge Sotomayor’s record reflects a view that judges can and should inject personal experiences and biases into what should be the objective interpretation and application of the law. 

“While her comments about the ‘better conclusions’ a ‘wise Latina woman’ would bring to the bench are universally known, I have more specific concerns about her case history and testimony regarding the Second Amendment at the state level,” Rubio said.  “[This] and other cases point to a nominee who would bring an activist approach to the highest court in the land.”

This recognition is a sign of someone who truly understands how to protect our rights and how to prevent sabotage from coming through the backdoor, an approach the left has been using for decades.

It is especially important to look for these qualities in a time when even leftist radicals in Congress will vote right on pro gun legislation simply because they know it will win them votes in the next election, all the while with the understanding that most legislation that passes one chamber will be tied up in the other chamber and never actually become law.
 
Marco Rubio also drew national attention when he commented on the chaos that followed the 2009 elections in Iran. 

“I have a feeling the situation in Iran would be a little different if they had a 2nd amendment like ours,” Rubio tweeted.  Mr. Rubio understands that America’s Founding Fathers considered the Second Amendment a final safeguard against government tyranny and oppression.  

“Like the rest of our Constitution, I believe the 2nd Amendment is a cornerstone of our democracy. I believe the right to bear arms is a constitutionally protected right. The right of citizens to defend themselves by bearing arms is a fundamental human right that should be protected,” says Mr. Rubio.

Rubio is a husband and father of four who served eights years (2000-2008) in the Florida House of Representatives, where he earned an “A” rating on gun rights issues.  He was also elected by his peers to the positions of Majority Whip, Majority Leader and Speaker of the House.

He spent two of those years touring Florida with his book “100 Innovative Ideas for Florida’s Future.”  Many of his initiatives (fifty-seven) ultimately became law. 

In the U.S. Senate, Rubio will be an important voice in opposition to the radical anti-gun agenda of the Obama administration and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.  There are many bills the anti-gunners would like to pass, such as regulating private firearms sales at gun shows, gun owner registration, and ratifying an anti-gun UN treaty.  Marco Rubio will help to defeat these measures.

Gun Owners of America is proud to make this endorsement, and urges all Second Amendment advocates to support Marco Rubio in the 2010 Republican Primary.

You can visit Marco online at www.marcorubio.com to make a generous contribution and to learn more about his campaign. 

Thank you for joining with GOA-PVF in this important race.

Sincerely,

Tim Macy
Vice Chairman