Dems take aim at GOP’s ‘machine-gun social’

May 2, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

Two Democratic lawmakers and gun-control advocates criticized the Republican-controlled state Legislature Tuesday for loosening firearms restrictions, targeting a GOP lawmaker’s planned fundraiser offering the opportunity to fire an M-60 machine gun.

“We’re here today to stand our ground against the litany of overreaching gun legislation pending in the General Assembly and to bring attention to the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back,” said Rep. Ted Celeste, a Democrat from Columbus, referring to an invitation for a “machine-gun social” from a Republican lawmaker from southwestern Ohio.

The event is titled, “Aiming for Liberty” and is taking place at a sportsmen’s club. Attendees encouraged to bring their own guns, a setup Celeste said was “not only absurd, but it’s highly inappropriate.”

But Republicans quickly countered that Democrats’ comments Tuesday amounted to scare tactics.

“This press conference was nothing more than a political stunt that made an outrageous link between horrific tragedies and lawful gun ownership,” Rep. Matt Huffman, a Republican from Lima and chairman of the House’s GOP organizational committee, said. He added, “Law-abiding citizens who exercise their constitutional rights in a safe and legal manner should not be compared to criminals and others who commit violent acts with firearms.”

Democrats’ comments came during a press conference near the Statehouse designed to draw attention to two gun-related bills that have passed this session and a half a dozen others pending in commmittee.

The former includes a bill allowing concealed-carry permit holders to have hidden handguns in bars and restaurants. The latter includes one bill that would allow concealed-carry in churches and day-care centers.

Opponents want lawmakers to close a loophole that allows the purchase of firearms at gun shows and require criminal-background checks before sales at such events.

Democrats cited the Geauga High School shooting two months ago that left three students dead and the widely reported death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin as evidence of the need for tougher gun-control laws.