Per this quote from Drudge, it would appear that the gun did indeed meet Kerry's bill's definition of a "pistol grip." Looks to me like it is "functioning as a grip" in the photo!
He waves the gun that he wants regular folks to be prohibited from owning...just another flip-flop...
Was Dem presidential hopeful John Kerry seen this weekend waving a gun which would have been banned if legislation he co-sponsored became law?
Kerry co-sponsored S. 1431 last year (“The Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2003) which would have banned a "semiautomatic shotgun that has a pistol grip.”
Opponents of the bill successfully argued how nearly all guns have "pistol grips," inluding millions of Browning Auto-5 shotguns produced since 1903.
Photos show Kerry's hand resting on the "pistol grip," as loosely defined in the bill. [Section SEC. 2; (H) (ii) and (b)(42): "The term 'pistol grip' means a grip, a thumbhole stock, or any other characteristic that can function as a grip."]
Kerry was presented with the semiautomatic shotgun during a Labor Day stop in Racine, West Virginia.
"I thank you for the gift, but I can't take it to the debate with me," Kerry told a cheering crowd as he held up the device.
But Kerry's gun bill would have also banned any "gift" transaction!
[It is not clear if Kerry completed the required paperwork (Form 4473) before he claimed the gun.]
