Martinez gun message plays to GOP's gun rights policy
Posted at: 08/30/2012 6:13 PM
| Updated at: 08/30/2012 7:05 PM
By: Maria Guerrero, KOB Eyewitness News 4
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If you caught the speech Gov. Susana Martinez gave to the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night, you learned about a gun-toting teenager.
Her story was the highlight of the night for a lot of folks.
Her speech comes just as the Republican Party makes a new call for broader gun rights.
Following mass shootings in Colorado and Wisconsin, the GOP wants to expand the rights of gun owners.
"My dad made sure I could take care of myself," said Martinez’ to the crowd in Tampa, Florida. "I carried a Smith & Wesson .357 magnum."
The governor’s speech and choice of gun rang loud at Caliber's Shooting Range in Albuquerque.
"Wow. I think that's great doing that at such a young age," reacted Dale Sibley, of Tijeras, NM.
The story of Martinez as a teenager, toting a big gun while working bingo nights hit home for some.
"I was shooting shot guns with my brother when I was that age so I can believe her," said Sibley.
The governor's story fired up that crowd of convention-goers who want to strengthen pro-gun rights nationwide.
During the convention, the GOP passed its 2012 platform.
In part, the party outlines broader gun rights.
It calls for allowing unlimited clips or magazines for guns and the right to store ammunition without registration.
The platform also endorses “stand your ground” rights for gun owners.
This is a controversial law at the center of the Trayvon Martin shooting in Florida.
"I pretty much stand against anything the GOP is for," said Donald Gallegos of Albuquerque. “I think there should be restriction on bullets because I don't think there should be people out there who can have whole arsenals."
It is a passionate debate for both sides.
"You're talking to a firearms advocate,” said Sibley. “So I believe I should have the freedom to carry firearms and have handguns wherever I feel the need."
The Republican Party says this platform is a statement of who the party is and a vision for where it sees America going forward.
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