StarTrib endorses Mills, expects he'll wise up on gun contro

View · by **mrp** on Tue Oct 28, 2014 8:39 am

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/edit ... 85982.html

We differ with Mills on a number of issues — not least on his unyielding stance against firearm regulation. But we’re also persuaded that Mills has the intelligence and pragmatic instincts to learn, grow and adapt in office. Indeed, his realism stands out on several issues

View · by **hornswaggle** on Tue Oct 28, 2014 9:16 am

Wow, I am shocked! This can only mean that a place known for its eternal fire and brimstone just froze over....

View · by **Hmac** on Tue Oct 28, 2014 9:44 am

First an unqualified endorsement from the Duluth News-Tribune, now the Star Tribune? That's astonishing to me.

Certainly I believe that there's a component of idealism in Stewart's concepts, but I know him well enough to know that the 2nd Amendment is not an area where he will succumb to pragmatism.

Last RCP poll I saw had him ahead by 9 points. Not sure where is he is now, but he's looking awfully good for the win. Personally, I'm thrilled. He and Nolan could not be more polar opposite.

View · by JJ on Tue Oct 28, 2014 9:58 am

I haven't really spent much any time looking at the Star and Sickle's endorsements, but this one certainly seems odd. Considering how late in the process this endorsement is coming, it reeks to me of jumping on the winning bandwagon.

This makes them look like they are centrists, and it also gives the illusion of them having a meaningful say in the discussion.

View · by **xd ED** on Tue Oct 28, 2014 10:50 am

It could be they simply have a policy of endorsing heirs to MN retailing empires, and accidentally got one right.

View · by **xd ED** on Tue Oct 28, 2014 10:52 am

xd ED wrote:It could be they simply have a policy of endorsing heirs to MN retailing empires, and accidentally got one right.

Or they could be reading the tea leaves and chose to back what appears to be an leading candidate; a bit of leading from behind.

ETA: My original edit didn't work out just right.

View · by **ex-LT** on Tue Oct 28, 2014 10:54 am

xd ED wrote:
xd ED wrote:It could be they simply have a policy of endorsing heirs to MN retailing empires, and accidentally got one right.

Or they could be reading the tea leaves and chose to back what appears to be an leading candidate; a bit of leading from behind.

Just following the example of their "feckless fearless leader"

View · by **Thunder71** on Tue Oct 28, 2014 12:45 pm

I just find it odd that for how much he's pro 2A, it's (Fleet Farm) the only place I buy guns where I have to fill out their own additional form and be escorted out with my item(s).

View · by **BigBlue** on Tue Oct 28, 2014 1:08 pm

Thunder71 wrote:I just find it odd that for how much he's pro 2A, it's (Fleet Farm) the only place I buy guns where I have to fill out their own additional form and be escorted out with my item(s).

Cabela's escorts you out too.

BB

View · by **yuppiejr** on Tue Oct 28, 2014 1:24 pm

Thunder71 wrote:I just find it odd that for how much he's pro 2A, it's (Fleet Farm) the only place I buy guns where I have to fill out their own additional form and be escorted out with my item(s).

To be fair, the "escort" part is because the gun counter is typically at the back of the store and the cash register at which you pay, the front. Target and Best Buy have similar policies for certain high value goods in their stores, for example.

As far as the extra paperwork, I think there's a difference between being pro 2A and implementing a bit of defensive paperwork that's a business reality, particularly in a state/election year in which there are plenty of political operators looking for a way to take you down. Is it a bad thing to ask the buyer of a firearm if they understand how the safety system works and are familiar with safe gun handling techniques before they walk out of your store with it even if it's not part of the required paperwork?

View · by **Ghost** on Tue Oct 28, 2014 1:27 pm

BigBlue wrote:
Thunder71 wrote:I just find it odd that for how much he's pro 2A, it's (Fleet Farm) the only place I buy guns where I have to fill out their own additional form and be escorted out with my item(s).

Cabela's escorts you out too.

BB

Yes, and last time I looked they didn't sell body armor at Cabelas.

View · by **Hmac** on Tue Oct 28, 2014 2:00 pm

Thunder71 wrote:I just find it odd that for how much he's pro 2A, it's (Fleet Farm) the only place I buy guns where I have to fill out their own additional form and be escorted out with my item(s).

OTOH, they don't care if you're carrying a gun in their stores. They may escort you to the register with your new pistol purchase, but they aren't concerned about the one you're carrying on your belt.

It's also worth noting that Stewart isn't the Big Boss at Fleet Farm. He is a cog in a wheel there, and doesn't get the option to override the company's liability carrier at every turn. He's had a significant influence on Fleet Farm's approach to firearms sales, but he's not the last word on company operations and policies.

View · by **Jackpine Savage** on Tue Oct 28, 2014 2:02 pm

You get escorted out of Sheels too.

View · by **xd ED** on Tue Oct 28, 2014 2:19 pm

Hmac wrote:
Thunder71 wrote:I just find it odd that for how much he's pro 2A, it's (Fleet Farm) the only place I buy guns where I have to fill out their own additional form and be escorted out with my item(s).

OTOH, they don't care if you're carrying a gun in their stores. They may escort you to the register with your new pistol purchase, but they aren't concerned about the one you're carrying on your belt.

It's also worth noting that Stewart isn't the Big Boss at Fleet Farm. He is a cog in a wheel there, and doesn't get the option to override the company's liability carrier at every turn. He's had a significant influence on Fleet Farm's approach to firearms sales, but he's not the last word on company operations and policies.

I believe he is the CEO. It's a privately held corporation. It's his call, ultimately.

View · by **Grayskies** on Tue Oct 28, 2014 2:42 pm

I just bought a new rifle at gander in baxter, just the fed form and walked out with 2 boxes of .270 and no escort. Last time I bought a gun at fleet farm, I could not buy ammo at the same time and was escorted (and I was carrying).

I did pay for the rifle and ammo at gander's firearms counter, were at fleet farm I had to use the main registers. If fleet farm added a cash register at the fire arms counter it might end this escorting stuff, tho the rule on not being able to buy a gun and ammo at the same time is just stupid, especially with people carrying with a permit.