Reagan and the Black Panthers

There’s a meme making it’s rounds through the liberal community that quotes Ronald Reagan making it look like he supports gun control.

The meme begins “There’s no reason why on the street today a citizen should be carrying loaded weapons. Assault rifles* are not sporting rifles or needed for the defense of the home.”

This is from the Gettysburg Times in 1967 and the context was a protest inside the Capitol by Black Panthers.

Two sentences in the article are always left out by gun control advocates.

First, “”Americans don’t go around carrying guns with the idea they are using them to influence other Americans.”

In other words, the macho image of men carrying a gun into a restaurant in order to get a good seat is the wrong one. He is saying that that is not the reason Americans own a gun. In my opinion, it’s acceptable to take “open carry” weapons to a protest that is against gun control. It would not be a good idea to bring such weapons at an anti-abortion rally or to a political rally for or against a particular politician.  I agree with Reagan, guns should not be used to intimidate.

Finally, this sentence is often left out:

“He agreed, however, with the group’s contention they have the right to bear arms”