Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 26, 1994 TAG: 9407270013
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Christiansburg lawyer doesn't hunt and doesn't eat meat, but he's an active supporter of gun rights - both for hunting and self-defense.
"I may be the only vegetarian in the NRA," he said.
Painter was in Roanoke Monday to attend a gathering called "Protecting You and Your Right to Keep and Bear Arms."
The sparsely attended event at Valley Guns on Melrose Avenue was billed as a public forum, but it turned out to be a campaign stop for Steve Fast, who is challenging Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, for the 9th District congressional seat.
Less than a dozen people turned out for the event, but Fast took advantage of the media coverage to accuse Boucher - who is endorsed by the National Rifle Association - of not being aggressive in defending against gun control legislation. About 20 people turned out for a similar rally at Hunting Masters in Christiansburg.
Gun rights have been a constant theme in the early days of Fast's campaign, and, on Monday, Larry Pratt, the executive director of Gun Owners of America, joined him in bashing Boucher.
"Boucher is there every time the anti-gunners need him on a close vote," Pratt said.
Pratt criticized Boucher for voting for a crime bill in 1991 that included the Brady bill - which requires a waiting period for handgun purchases - and for not co-sponsoring the Citizens Self-Defense Act that is before Congress. He also said Boucher's vote could have prevented a bill banning assault weapons from ever making it to the House floor.
Boucher, who did not support the Brady bill when it finally passed in 1993 and voted against a ban on assault weapons that was passed in May, repeatedly has defended his record on gun rights.
He called Gun Owners of America a fringe group primarily organized to support Republican candidates, and its endorsement of Fast "not worth the time it has taken to announce it."
Rick Birnbach, co-owner of Valley Guns, said he was disappointed by the low turnout at Monday's rally. While he opposes any type of gun legislation, Birnbach said his business goes up every time a new law is passed.
"We can't keep the things in stock," he said. "The laws are scaring the hell out of people who are afraid [guns] won't be available soon."
Painter, a Fast supporter, said he collects guns - including automatic weapons - and enjoys shooting them at area rifle ranges.
He said gun control violates the Second Amendment.
Birnbach said he is fed up with the wave of political correctness that has surfaced in the last few years.
There's little of that in his store. While Fast spoke Monday, several employees and customers were puffing on cigarettes - a practice now considered a social taboo by many.
"That's another issue we are going to get involved in," said Birnbach, referring to recent bans on smoking in public.
For the record: Painter doesn't smoke, but he's against smoking bans.
by CNB