After seeing discussion here and elsewhere questioning Bob Irwin's committment to OC, I posed the following question on his Facebook page:
==
Bob, I'd like you to address a question for me: What is your position on Open Carry? I just assumed you'd be onboard, but it has been suggested to me by others that OC conflicts with a source of your income, namely CCW classes. I can see that point as a possible concern, so I'd like to just settle it right here by h...aving you state your position on the matter. If elected to the assembly, would furthering the efforts of the Open Carry movement be part of your agenda? Please be clear and concise. Thanks.
==
He responded today with this:
==First, open carry is not illegal in Nevada except in places where all firearms are prohibited like jails, courts and such. Although I am now classified as a politician you may be assured I will not change my life long principles because I t...each Concealed Carry Classes. As it happens last week we announced that starting Sept 1, our CCW classes here at The Gun Store would be FREE through the election in November as a tribute to Gun Rights. That is in our Review Journal ads last Sunday.
More to the point of your question, I am advocating to my contacts in the Assemby two new laws. One is that Nevada honor all other State permits, rather than just the few approved by the Chiefs & Sheriffs Association, both to increase our tourist numbers and not disarm traveling citizens. The other is to go to the Vermont, Alaska and new Arizona system of not requiring a permit from the government to carry a concealed firearm if you are otherwise allowed to own a handgun. That law, if passed, will certainly cut into my income. The crusade I am on with my campaign is to fix Nevada, not to make money. If you check you will find that Assembly member are paid a bit less than minimum wages for their time. Bob Irwin
==
I know he has on numerous occasions had soundbites on the news that were...less than accurate. But this response seems pretty forthright to me. I don't feel like he ducked the question like most politicians would.
I think it is important that we not let infighting within our sub-groups ultimately derail the greater goals. I mean, lets face it, what's the likelihood of a right-wing nutjob like me ever getting elected?
--
On a separate point, I saw this bit about him having the get together at his store with Sharron Angle, etc. Am I the only one whose first thought was "Yeah, right, where do you plan to put us all? I can barely get into that place on a normal day.."
