Political Fund Raiser with Automatic Weapons

[DMan]

http://www.wmur.com/politics/13743803/detail.html

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The city's Republican Committee is planning a fundraiser that will pack some heat.

Manchester Republicans said they wanted something different from the usual chicken dinner for its fundraiser next month. Then, committee chairman Jerry Thibodeau, a hunter and skeet shooter, came up with the idea: "The thought just struck me one day: a machine gun shoot. What the heck?"

The event is planned for next month at the Pelham Fish and Game Club. Those who attend will get the chance to shoot Uzis, M-16 rifles and other automatic weapons. The club will have 20 safety officers on hand to load the guns and monitor shooters, said club chairman Bob Shaunessy.

Thibodeau said he thinks the fundraiser will be a fun social event that also will emphasize the party's support for Second Amendment rights. Thibodeau said he fired a machine gun for the first time at 18 with his father, a World War II veteran.

"It's a way of expressing yourself, I guess," he said. "We all have a little testosterone in us, right?"

Many of those signing up are women.

"It's very different," said Kelly Hurst, the Manchester GOP's executive director. Hurst said she carries a pistol for personal protection, but the chance to shoot a machine gun is very different.

"I don't know when anyone else, man or woman, may get an opportunity to do this," she said.

Manchester Democrats said they are upset by the Republicans' shooting event.

Chris Pappas, chairman of the Manchester Democratic Committee, said it's inappropriate to hold a fundraiser involving guns when violent crime is on the rise in the city.

He said the event is "not just in poor taste; it is downright offensive."

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[rocky]

Very cool. Everyone should get to shoot a fully automatic gun atleast once in their life.

[Bob The Great]

Chris Pappas, chairman of the Manchester Democratic Committee, said it's inappropriate to hold a fundraiser involving guns when violent crime is on the rise in the city.

He said the event is "not just in poor taste; it is downright offensive."

For some reason, that conjured up an image of the stereotypical stuffed-shirt blustering elitest, complete with monocle, spats, and handle-bar mustache. It seems appropriate.

I think that fund-raiser is a wonderful, innovative idea, and I think it's going to be wildly successful. Maybe more areas will pick up on the idea.

rocky - I totally agree. The first (and so far, only) full-auto gun I've shot was a 1928 Thompson, and I couldn't get rid of the grin for the rest of the day. I'd certainly pitch in on a fund-raiser like this to blow some lead downrange at 600rpm.

[SIGguy229]

"It's a way of expressing yourself, I guess," he said. "We all have a little testosterone in us, right?"

Not if others have their way. If we still need to ask this question--we are in a bad way.

[P95Carry]

Chris Pappas, chairman of the Manchester Democratic Committee, said it's inappropriate to hold a fundraiser involving guns when violent crime is on the rise in the city.

He said the event is "not just in poor taste; it is downright offensive."

Sorry to quote this again but hey - always one (or more) who would have that take - they are so anti they wear it on their clothes like a badge.

They cannot conceive of the ''fun'' aspect gained by the nasty bad gun .... nope ....... way too sinful.

[peacefuljeffrey]

Manchester Democrats said they are upset by the Republicans' shooting event.

Chris Pappas, chairman of the Manchester Democratic Committee, said it's inappropriate to hold a fundraiser involving guns when violent crime is on the rise in the city.

He said the event is "not just in poor taste; it is downright offensive."

I guess it must also be offensive that the police in that city carry guns while violent crime is on the rise in the city, and occasionally practice with them.

It's also pretty offensive that the police get paid, and the mayor and other city officials get paid, while violent crime is on the rise in the city!

[Dakotaranger]

It would convince me to contribute to a political party.

[palmgopher]

i would have to agree that everyone should shoot a machine gun once in their lives. plus for a person that is pro-gun, not saying he is, it is a HELL of an idea to get the pro-gun people to realize his stance and i think it is even better because he got more media play on it for nothing by the anti-gun folks. thanx for the free advertisement!

[Ben Hennessy]

Man that sounds like fun!!! I never shot a full auto but would to do so. My brother-in-law deals in WW2 weaponery and has a few machine guns but none of them are in working condition sence he does not have a class3 permit. Maybe one day I'll get the chace.

[TonyW]

I think this is a great idea. I shot a full auto M16 once, lots of fun. I'd love to try a Thompson.