Palin rejects new gun laws, vague on 2012 plans

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin answers questions at the public appearance at the Long Island (LIA) Association Meeting and Luncheon in Woodbury, N.Y., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Palin rejects new gun laws, vague on 2012 plans

BETH FOUHY

FRANK ELTMAN

Associated Press

WOODBURY, New York — Sarah Palin stuck to her guns on "death panels" Thursday, and on guns for that matter, in a rare public appearance in which reporters were allowed.

Palin continued tweaking the first lady's efforts to fight childhood obesity, but chided some of her own supporters for sustaining the "annoying" claims that President Barack Obama is foreign-born and Muslim.

As for the big question — whether she's running for president in 2012 — the former vice presidential Republican nominee said she's thinking about it.

"No one is more qualified, really to multitasking and the things you need to do as president than a woman, a mom," said the former Alaska governor, who has five children.

Palin sat for a wide-ranging interview with the president of the Long Island Association, a business group outside New York, at the group's annual meeting. Kevin Law pressed her on gun rights, potential presidential aspirations and how she usually communicates through Facebook and Fox News, where she is a contributor, rather than talking to reporters.

Reporters were allowed at the New York event, unlike many Palin speaking engagements where they have been banned, but they did not get a chance to ask questions.

Law asked Palin if she would support efforts to restrict semiautomatic weapons or multi-bullet clips, like the clips used the shooting last month in Arizona that left six people dead and U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords critically wounded.

"There are already on the books many gun control measures and I do support those that are on the books. I do not support taking away more freedom from the good guy," Palin said. "The people who have no intention of using that weapon to harm another person so, no additional gun control measures could be supported."

Palin was criticized after the shootings for having published campaign literature that marked some Democratic districts, including Giffords', with crosshairs, but she pushed back, saying Republicans were being unfairly blamed for the act of a crazed shooter.

She said Thursday, "Prayers should continue for the full recovery of Gabby Giffords and others who were involved in such a tragic, tragic event."

Palin criticized Obama on a range of issues, from his handling of the recent democratic uprising in Egypt to his latest budget proposal, which she said would do little to close the deficit. She claimed the press had been complicit in allowing Obama to claim that his budget did not add to the national debt. The White House expects government spending and revenues to eventually reach balance, but that doesn't include interest payments on the debt.

"Criticism of the press is what I do," she said.

WOODBURY, New York — Sarah Palin stuck to her guns on "death panels" Thursday, and on guns for that matter, in a rare public appearance in which reporters were allowed.

Palin continued tweaking the first lady's efforts to fight childhood obesity, but chided some of her own supporters for sustaining the "annoying" claims that President Barack Obama is foreign-born and Muslim.

As for the big question — whether she's running for president in 2012 — the former vice presidential Republican nominee said she's thinking about it.

"No one is more qualified, really to multitasking and the things you need to do as president than a woman, a mom," said the former Alaska governor, who has five children.

Palin sat for a wide-ranging interview with the president of the Long Island Association, a business group outside New York, at the group's annual meeting. Kevin Law pressed her on gun rights, potential presidential aspirations and how she usually communicates through Facebook and Fox News, where she is a contributor, rather than talking to reporters.

Reporters were allowed at the New York event, unlike many Palin speaking engagements where they have been banned, but they did not get a chance to ask questions.

Law asked Palin if she would support efforts to restrict semiautomatic weapons or multi-bullet clips, like the clips used the shooting last month in Arizona that left six people dead and U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords critically wounded.

"There are already on the books many gun control measures and I do support those that are on the books. I do not support taking away more freedom from the good guy," Palin said. "The people who have no intention of using that weapon to harm another person so, no additional gun control measures could be supported."

Palin was criticized after the shootings for having published campaign literature that marked some Democratic districts, including Giffords', with crosshairs, but she pushed back, saying Republicans were being unfairly blamed for the act of a crazed shooter.

She said Thursday, "Prayers should continue for the full recovery of Gabby Giffords and others who were involved in such a tragic, tragic event."

Palin criticized Obama on a range of issues, from his handling of the recent democratic uprising in Egypt to his latest budget proposal, which she said would do little to close the deficit. She claimed the press had been complicit in allowing Obama to claim that his budget did not add to the national debt. The White House expects government spending and revenues to eventually reach balance, but that doesn't include interest payments on the debt.

"Criticism of the press is what I do," she said.