Rifle company owner ousted over Obama support

Less than two days after telling USA Today that he was voting for Barack Obama, Montana rifle maker Dan Cooper was asked to step down from the company he founded. In a story published Oct. 28, Cooper told the national newspaper that the Iraq War and the increasing conservatism of the Republican Party are two reasons he supports the Democrat, though he usually votes Republican. Obama, he said, is also an attractive candidate because of "the retooling of America, which involves the building of middle-class jobs and helping American small business be competitive with those overseas."

Cooper's views caused a backlash among many gun owners and advocates, who traditionally see the Democratic party as being "anti-gun." Almost immediately after the story was published, Cooper Firearms was flooded with calls, letters and calls for a boycott. By Wednesday night, the company had posted a note on its Web site saying, "Although we all believe everyone has a right to vote and donate as they see fit, it has become apparent that the fallout may affect more than just Mr. Cooper. It may also affect the employees and the shareholders of Cooper Firearms. The board of directors has asked Mr. Cooper to resign as president."

Cooper resigned but received statements of support from Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Bob Ricker, executive director of the American Hunters and Shooters Association, which has endorsed Obama. Ricker said told Ken Dilanian, who wrote a follow-up story in the same paper, "It's a really McCarthyism at its worst."

Obama has said, "I believe in the Second Amendment. I believe in people's lawful right to bear arms. I will not take your shotgun away. I will not take your rifle away. I won't take your handgun away." Cooper said, in an unpublished section of the interview, "I don't believe that what's being said about Obama and his policies about guns are accurate. I have had a conversation with the senator … He is a staunch supporter of the right to hunt and the right to bear arms." Schweitzer also says fears that Obama will overturn the Second Amendment are unfounded: "Three weeks from now these bloggers are going to wake up, look under their bed and see that their gun is still there." (Read more)