Rudy Giuliani yesterday cited 9/11 to justify his conversion from ardent gun-control advocate to supporter of citizens’ rights to bear arms.
“You have to look at all these issues in light of the different concerns that now exist – which is terrorism – the terrorists’ war on us,” the GOP presidential front-runner said in an interview with The Associated Press.
Giuliani said his conversion was triggered in part by a court ruling striking down local firearm restrictions in Washington, D.C.
“It is a very, very strong description of how important personal liberties are in this country and how we have to respect them,” he said.
Giuliani said “all that seemed much more powerful to me . . . sort of maybe even did more to crystalize my thinking on the whole gun issue in light of Sept. 11.”
As mayor, Giuliani was one of the nation’s top gun-control advocates.
Gun-control advocates blasted Giuliani.
“Rudy used to be a straight shooter,” said Paul Helmke, head of the pro-gun control Brady Campaign.
“Rudy has learned the wrong lesson. Since Sept. 11, there’s even a stronger argument to be made to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of criminals,” Helmke said.