Even if you missed the President's speech to the Congress on health care in September, you certainly have seen the news following the event. 

Most notable was the fact that pro-gun congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina -- rated "A" by Gun Owners of America -- decided to call out the President because of his... well, shall we say... his failure to communicate truthfully.

No matter what you think about the time and place Wilson chose to tell President Obama "You lie," the facts are on Joe Wilson's side.

The President lied repeatedly throughout his speech.  Even the Associated Press -- hardly a bastion of conservatism -- noted that the President failed to accurately articulate the truth in several instances.     

Wilson's opponent, however, is trying to use the national attention on Wilson to raise money for his campaign.  In fact, Wilson's opponent says he raised over $1 million in the first 48 hours following the speech.

It's up to the pro-gun community to respond in kind and help Wilson through this difficult time.  But first, who is Rep. Joe Wilson and what has he done for gun owners?

Not only has he consistently supported the Second Amendment with his votes, he has also cosponsored needed gun rights legislation.  This year, he has cosponsored two reciprocity bills in the House -- including the GOA-supported HR 1620, which protects Vermont-style carry -- plus a bill that removes certain restrictions on the interstate sale of firearms.

In previous years, Wilson was the chief sponsor of the Citizen's Self-Defense Act, a bill that would protect individuals who successfully defend themselves or others from violent attack, only to find themselves in the clutches of anti-gun prosecutors.

And when a conference committee watered down GOA's language to arm airline pilots following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Rep. Wilson stepped up to the plate.  He successfully pushed through legislation to allow all commercial pilots (not just passenger pilots) to carry guns.  Further, when TSA bureaucrats dragged their feet once armed pilots became the law of the land, Wilson authored yet another bill that streamlined the certification process.

Here's the bottom line:  Joe Wilson couldn't stand listening to the President dish out lie after lie.  He says his emotions got the best of him, and he yelled "You lie" in the midst of a presidential address.  He regrets the time and place he did it... but he is not sorry for what he said.

He was ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.  He did what millions of Americans -- many people like you -- would have loved to do.  How many of us would like the chance to tell the President, to his face, to stop lying?

It's ironic.  The President stood there on national television and said his opponents were lying.  But when Joe Wilson countered that it was the President who was, in fact, lying... it was Wilson who came under attack from the liberal media.

That's why we need to stand with Rep. Joe Wilson.  If we lose a pro-gun stalwart because of his willingness to call out the President on his lies, it will be a crying shame.

You can contribute to the Wilson campaign here.

Even if it is a contribution of solidarity -- only $5 or $10 -- it will be worth it.  But if you can afford more, please do so.

Wilson is in for a tough race because the left-wing, anti-gun movement smells blood and they will pour even more money into this race. 

Representative Wilson deserves all the help we can give.  Let him know that gun owners are standing with him!

Tim Macy
Vice Chairman

 

 

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