Believe domestic abusers, nuts and felons should own guns? Vote Delavar, Larson says
Conservative talk show host Lars Larson recently grilled Michael Delavar on his show.
Delavar is hoping to defeat U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, in the Republican primary. Here was Larson’s takeaway, “If you want to vote for a guy who believes that domestic abusers, nuts and felons should be able to own guns, it’s Michael Delavar.”
The exchange between the two lasts a while, and Larson asks Delavar to clarify his point several times, to ensure he’s hearing Delavar correctly.
“Are you saying that convicted felons and people who have been committed to mental institutions, like say, the Oregon State hospital, should be allowed to buy guns?” Larson asks Delavar at about the 3:20 minute mark.
Delavar said if the people are released, therefore considered “free people” they should not be prevented from purchasing firearms.
“Here’s the thing, if they are a danger to society then why are they out there in the public?” Delavar fires back to the radio host.
To which Larson responds, “Michael, do you think every person who is committed to a mental institution stays there for the rest of their life?”
Later in the interview, Larson asks Delavar about men and women who have been found guilty of committing a domestic violence crime?
Delavar stands his ground. Yep, they should be able to own firearms too.
Larson finally thinks he’s got Delavar and asks about John Hinckley, Jr., the man who tried to assassinate U.S. President Ronald Reagan and who remains in a psychiatric home. What if he was released, Larson asks, should he be able to own a firearm?
The first part of Delavar’s answer is hard to hear, but the overall answer is once again, yes.
Lauren Dake
Lauren Dake covers politics for The Columbian. You can reach her at 360-735-4534 or lauren.dake@columbian.com. Follow her on Twitter .