The Bottom Line on Gillibrand:

Transforming from "Annie Oakley to Someone Different"

FACT: As Joe DioGuardi explained during Friday's WABC debate, Gillibrand has transformed
from "Annie Oakley to someone different." Gillibrand went from having a 100 percent rating by
the NRA to apologizing for not leading the fight against the Second Amendment in a matter of
moments.

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Comment from Tom Kise, People for DioGuardi spokesperson:

"Clearly, Gillibrand will stop at nothing to get elected - or appointed. To get elected, she sold
herself as pro-Second Amendment, but to get appointed by Gov. Paterson, however, she
flipped, becoming a leader against the right to bear arms. She tells New Yorkers she wants
transparency. She tells New Yorkers she believes in honest leadership. She doesn't practice
what she preaches though."

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Evidence:

"Gillibrand Declared Herself 'Very Pro-Second Amendment,' And Noted That She Comes 'From
A Hunting Family.' Her Mother, Polly Rutnik, Shoots A Thanksgiving Turkey Almost Every Year,
Gillibrand Said." (Jennifer A. Dlouhy, "Will Gillibrand Shift On Guns?" Times Union, 1/27/09)

"As A Member Of The House, [Gillibrand] Had Earned A 100 Percent Rating From The National
Rifle Association." ("Gillibrand Gun Flap Raises Some Eyebrows," The Associated Press, 2/17/
09)
● In The Fall Of 2008, Gillibrand Opposed "Any Federal Effort To Restrict The Ownership
Of Semiautomatic Weapons Or To Limit The Sale Of So-Called 'Cop Killer' Bullets That
Can Pierce Armored Vests Worn By Law Enforcement Officers." "Democratic Rep.
Kirsten Gillibrand of Hudson and Republican challenger Sandy Treadwell of Lake Placid
were asked during separate interviews for their positions on some of the major issues
discussed by Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain in their presidential campaigns. ...
Both candidates say they strongly support the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
They oppose any federal effort to restrict the ownership of semiautomatic weapons or
to limit the sale of so-called 'cop killer' bullets that can pierce armored vests worn by law
enforcement officers." (Brian Tumulty, "Gillibrand, Treadwell On The Issues," Gannett
News Service , 10/23/08)

"In 2007, She Had Co-Sponsored The Renewal Of Legislation Requiring The Federal
Government To Delete Information Learned From Handgun Background Checks After 24
Hours. Shortly After Being Named Senator, She Voted To Repeal That Provision." (Stephen
Rodrick, "The Reintroduction Of Kirsten Gillibrand," New York Magazine, 6/15/09)

And Despite Pushing To Make Permanent The Tiahrt Amendments As A Representative

For NY-20, Sen. Gillibrand Now Supports The Repeal Of The Amendments. "Sen. Kirsten
Gillibrand made her turnaround on a key gun-control issue official this week: She signed a letter
seeking repeal of the NRA-backed Tiahrt Amendments, even though she sought to make them
permanent just last June. The letter, made public yesterday, asks Attorney General Eric Holder
for his support for the repeal of Tiahrt, an appropriations bill amendment that since 2003 has
restricted use of federal gun-trace data." (Tom Brune, "Sign Of Shift In Gun Stance," Newsday
[New York], 2/26/09)

Shortly After Being Appointed To The Senate, Gillibrand Apologized For Not Leading The
Fight Against Guns. "Meanwhile, though she continues to insist she supports 'hunters' rights,'
Gillibrand - formerly an aggressive Second Amendment supporter - apologized yesterday for not
being 'a leader' in fighting gun violence." (Editorial, "Flip-Flopping With Kirsten," The New York
Post , 2/10/09)
● In Her First Senate Vote On Guns, She Voted Against A Measure To Expand Gun
Rights In Washington, D.C. "In her first vote on the issue since being appointed to the
Senate, Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., on Thursday voted to reject a measure that would
expand gun rights. ... Before passing the D.C. vote measure, the Senate voted 62-36
to adopt an amendment that would expand gun rights in the nation's capital. Gillibrand
joined 32 other Democrats and the two independents who caucus with them in opposing
the proposal. Gillibrand's position was cheered by gun control supporters and seemed to
mark a shift in her longtime stance as a firm supporter of the Second Amendment right
to keep and bear arms." (Jennifer A. Dlouhy, "Gillibrand Backs Gun Control Bill," The
Albany Times-Union , 2/27/09)
Shortly After Her Appointment In January 2009, Gillibrand Met With New Yorkers Against Gun
Violence And The President Of The Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun Violence. Gillibrand met
with New Yorkers Against Gun Violence on February 18, 2009, and Paul Helmke, President
of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, on March 4, 2009. (Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
Website, http://gillibrand.senate.gov/newsroom/schedule/, Accessed 10/10/10)