Ouch. Codrea on Nugent's forgiveness of Tancredo's hypocrisy: "Nugent AR-15 giveaway neglects Tancredo’s anti-gun past."

“As a congressman, he made waves in Washington by vehemently opposing ... insane infringements to our sacred Second Amendment rights,” Nugent claims. “Mark my words: we'll keep our guns if Tom wins this race.” The problem is, that’s not how Tancredo proved himself when entrusted with political power and strong hearts were needed.

“Tancredo stood out as the only representative from Colorado to vote for the final gun-control bill, which allowed just 24 hours for background checks at gun shows but also placed some restrictions on semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity ammunition clips,” The New York Times reported in 1999, explaining why, following the events at Columbine, the congressman bucked his largest campaign contributor, the National Rifle Association, and sided with the gun-grabbers.

“Sometimes, I stop and think, ‘Boy, have I changed since Columbine,’” The Times report quoted Tancredo. "Guns are an issue. They did take children's lives.''

A fair question for gun owners now is, has Tancredo changed again since he changed last, and if he still think guns are an issue?

The thing is, I recall Tancredo's hypocrisy quite well. I based my original short story The Window War on his (and other GOP pol's) treason at the time of Columbine. Of course the self-promoting Nugent probably has the memory of a flea, but experienced firearm rights activists like Codrea have long despised Tancredo, as have I.

How far Tancredo would go remains unanswered, but his track record of abandoning people who previously helped him gain power should surely factor into supporter perceptions. That's because rather than maintain allegiance with them, and with his oath to the Constitution, he chose to let anti-gun fervor prevail over rights.