HOLD YOUR FIRE

White House Releases Obama Skeet Shooting Photo

See? The president has fired a gun

Next>

Feb 2, 2013 by Lisa Fine

Staff Writer t +

Image: AP

Skeet Skeptics, hold your fire.

To quiet those who didn't believe it when the president claimed he goes skeet shooting "all the time," the White House on Saturday released photographic evidence.

The photo, taken on August 4, 2012, shows President Barack Obama wearing protective ear muffs and sunglasses while firing a shotgun at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland. So far, no clay pigeons have come forward to confirm it.

The Obama camp seems to be having some fun with the skeetroversy.

"Attn skeet birthers. Make our day - let the photoshop conspiracies begin!," former White House advisor David Plouffe (@davidplouffe) tweeted in a message linking to the photo, the Hill reports.

When asked in a recent interview with the New Republic if he had ever fired a gun, Obama said, "Yes, in fact, up at Camp David, we do skeet shooting all the time." He also said he had "a profound respect for the traditions of hunting that trace back in this country for generations."

At a time when the nation is gripped by a debate over proposed gun laws, the president's comments to the New Republic came as a surprise to many who had never heard him speak of this activity before. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., had asked why there were no photos of the president shooting skeet and even challenged him to a match.

Via the Hill, the New Republic, and Twitter

Like this article? B Vote Up

?	Does the photo make Obama seem more gun-friendly?

>
Yes, it does

>
Nope, not really

>
Perhaps a little

>
It doesn't matter

>
Gotta admit, its a fun photo

View results

208 Comments (view in Forum)

Feb '13

Zazziness

!
I liked what Jon Stewart had to say about it.
- B2 • Vote Up r7 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Feb '13

NormalFlora

!
Absolutely. Loved that segment.
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@NormalFlora Post
Feb '13

isaacorr

!
Didn't get to see it, can you explain the segment, or better yet, provide a link to the bit?
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@isaacorr Post
Feb '13

frigginhell

!
@isaacorr just google daily show. comedy central has full episodes next day and clips from the best bits.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@frigginhell Post
Feb '13

martydotcom

!
you can book a cabin at Camp David.. Obama should have told Marsha Blackburn, R Tn, "want to go skeet shooting at Camp David make a reservation." Why would I want to spend 5 min with you?"

http://whitehouse.gov1.info/camp-david/index....
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@martydotcom Post
Feb '13

martydotcom

!
@isaacorr http://www.thedailyshow.com/videos/tag/guns
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@martydotcom Post
Load more replies >
Feb '13

harold_lloyd

!
He needs a gun that fits better.
- B6 • Vote Up r29 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Feb '13

ConserveUSA

!
Agreed.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@ConserveUSA Post
Feb '13

Ashstop

!
Yea, it was a photo op, probably first time he'd ever done it, it was a recent picture because of the gray in his hair
- B3 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@Ashstop Post
Feb '13

stepped_in_it

!
@Ashstop Bahaha....yeah, isn't that Pennsylvania ave right behind him?
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@stepped_in_it Post
Feb '13

Quantummist

!
It's not just the fit... He has never fire a gun before .. Look Close... The But is too high so he did not know how to shoulder it and look at his line of sight.. His eye is below the sight plane ... You was not looking down the sights when he fired... Just another Lie that the undereducated will B'Leve.....
- B7 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@Quantummist Post
Feb '13

mimi57

!
@Ashstop I didn't read your response, and said almost the same thing...didn't notice the hair. ( :
- B5 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@mimi57 Post
Load more replies >
Feb '13

DARSB

!
Donald Trump says skeet is the national bird of Kenya...
- B4 • Vote Up r7 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Feb '13

GmanGSW

!
LOL!!!! DARSB, we don't always disagree, though I know where you were going with that comment. You see, I don't really care much about what Trump says...:^)
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@GmanGSW Post
Feb '13

GmanGSW

!
I meant that we don't always "agree," but I do like the fact that you can make some very comedic comments at times...
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@GmanGSW Post
Feb '13

Souljah

!
LMAO..haha why do I actually believe he would say that after seeing this picture?.. Maybe it's because he's said more preposterous thing
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@Souljah Post
u
Feb '13

Blessed

!
I was about to ask if we could put Michelle on a skeet diet and save us bookoos of money if she learns to like it as much as the lobster she eats five days a week.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@Blessed Post
Feb '13

bsking

!
@Blessed yeah absolutely... it's do as I say not as I do with the o bama's
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@bsking Post
Load more replies >
u
Feb '13

BelinKS

!
Obama is going to say and do whatever it takes to get what he wants. I don't know anyone that skeet shoots with a semi-automatic. That defeats the purpose of the game.
- B1 • Vote Up r14 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Feb '13

zeke

!
Thats not a semi-auto, that's a Ruger Red Label over/under shotgun.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@zeke Post
u
Feb '13

BelinKS

!
@zeke
I never said that was a semi-automatic. I stated that in skeet shooting a semi-automatic would mess up the game. But good on being able to recognize and name the gun being used. I couldn't have done that. I used to skeet shoot with my dad. I loved it. Out on his land with my mother controlling the clay pigeon device, thrower. For the life of me I can not think of what that thing is called. It will come to me later when it doesn't matter. Isn't that the way it always goes? My dad passed away from cancer in 2009. It's amazing how many things you miss once that loved one is gone that you wouldn't even think of before hand.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@BelinKS Post
Feb '13

DerivePI

!
I was hoping to see a little from the hip action!
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@DerivePI Post
Feb '13

zeke

!
@BelinKS I should have added in my reply that the point you made was well taken, my apology's! I believe the devise that throws the pigeons is called a trap, i too have memories of shooting and hunting with my father who also passed away from cancer in 2000. I sure do miss him and those fun times we had!
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@zeke Post
u
Feb '13

BelinKS

!
@zeke
Thank you. Sorry about your dad.
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@BelinKS Post
Load more replies >
o
Feb '13

SomethinsFishy

!
It just goes to show you how handy it is to know people like Steven Spielberg, and his contacts among dozens of special effects technicians, ;o)
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Feb '13

ConserveUSA

!
Glad to see these.
- B2 • Vote Up r5 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Feb '13

Neo_NtheMatrix

!
Why?
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@Neo_NtheMatrix Post
Feb '13

ConserveUSA

!
@Neo_NtheMatrix Exposes the truth that he is not shooter. Just look at that.
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@ConserveUSA Post
Feb '13

PoliticalSpice

!
@Neo_NtheMatrix This picture is almost as if obama is responding to your post saying "see i criticized a republican, happy?"

As if the photo is sayingNeo, I shot a gun, happy...he just doesn't want you being sad :)
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@PoliticalSpice Post
Feb '13

Neo_NtheMatrix

!
@PoliticalSpice - I regularly criticize Republicans though. obama? No one in the world has ever heard about him even shooting a water gun, now he's a marksmen? C'mon PoliticalSpice, not even you believe that. It's time for you to stop being so partisan and defending all things obama, when obama is rarely, if ever, right.
- B3 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@Neo_NtheMatrix Post
Feb '13

PoliticalSpice

!
@Neo_NtheMatrix Until yesterday your only regular criticizim of republicans was to call them RINO's.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@PoliticalSpice Post
Feb '13

Dan_Tien

!
"Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., had asked why there were no photos of the president shooting skeet and even challenged him to a match." Yeah, that will happen. I think this pic is about as much "in your face" as she is likely to get.
- B Vote Up r1 Reply
- r Reply
Post
Feb '13

stepped_in_it

!
Welp, since he seems to be aiming high, I don't think he's aiming at Ms. Blackburn. Unless, of course, she is running up a slight incline!
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@stepped_in_it Post
Feb '13

mudzangandoro

!
The coolest President to ever live on the face of this planet...:)
- B Vote Up r9 Replies
- r Reply
Post
o
Feb '13

cleverusername

!
what about other planets? ;)
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@cleverusername Post
Feb '13

mudzangandoro

!
@cleverusername funny!!! I wouldn't know unless I lived on Mars...
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@mudzangandoro Post
Feb '13

stepped_in_it

!
tep, the sun rises from his naval and sets in your.....
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@stepped_in_it Post
o
Feb '13

cleverusername

!
@mudzangandoro One day we will and then maybe you can add that bit. ;)
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@cleverusername Post
o
Feb '13

HooverNiebold

!
I heard he stepped on his coke and wet the weed when he was dealing. That ain't cool.
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@HooverNiebold Post
Load more replies >
o
Feb '13

cleverusername

!
See chomsky proof Obama is a lefty.
- B4 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Feb '13

stepped_in_it

!
Ok, for all the naysayers! It's been photo shopped. How do we know it's Obama.....etc!
Now, no matter how we paint this picture and scream about the 2nd amendment, banning so called assault weapons and high cap mags will NOT stop (or even slow down) shooting like CT. Even if all were promptly turned in (even the one criminals processed)! There are other just as capable weapons (ie...guns) that will do the "job", as evil as that job is.
- B2 • Vote Up r25 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Feb '13

mudzangandoro

!
...might or might not stop shootings but at least something is being done!!
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@mudzangandoro Post
Feb '13

stepped_in_it

!
@mudzangandoro Oh yeah...and what is that! Making the sheeple feel O so good....until the next shooting (which.....now write this down....will happen before any legislation banning these weapons will be accomplished).
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@stepped_in_it Post
Feb '13

mudzangandoro

!
@stepped_in_it much better than accepting the status quo...
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@mudzangandoro Post
Feb '13

stepped_in_it

!
@mudzangandoro Don't have an assault weapon....don't want one and don't understand their uses. Don't have a gun collection (whatever that means since I always thought collections were generally.....vintage/antique things).
My problems with bans is.....they have never worked. Prohibition...didn't work (and actually made it worse). Drug war.....failure completely (and isn't working either). Bans don't work.....and history proves it! Insanity is doing the same thing over & over and expecting a different result. Bans are insane!
- B3 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@stepped_in_it Post
u
Feb '13

Yank

!
@mudzangandoro so you would support doing something pointless vs. doing nothing at all? In CT the gun was already banned and all guns were banned from the school. How well did that work? All this energy going after guns should be spent going after crimininals and fixing our mental health system.
- B7 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@Yank Post
Load more replies >
u
Feb '13

Realthinker

!
Maybe the photo is legitimate and maybe it isn't. Democrats are champs at faking things. It is a fact that Obama does NOT go skeet shooting all the time at Camp David. He is on record as not liking Camp David and rarely going there, ergo the statement is a lie. We knew that already. Why have they forbidden this photo to be photoshopped? Because it already is?
- B1 • Vote Up r10 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Feb '13

stepped_in_it

!
"Democrats are champs at faking things. " yeppers, just ask Bill about Hillary! Bahaha
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@stepped_in_it Post
Feb '13

Zazziness

!
He's made seventeen trips to Camp David, so no, it's not a lie. You just desperately want it to be because *you will never be happy no matter what he does.*
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@Zazziness Post
u
Feb '13

Realthinker

!
@Zazziness You have a source for that 17 trips statistic?
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@Realthinker Post
Feb '13

Denizen_Kate

!
@stepped_in_it - Or perhaps just ask Hillary. ;)
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@Denizen_Kate Post
Feb '13

Knightkore

!
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/573...

A senior White House official called Camp David a “tremendous resource” and said the president “enjoys” his time there but that he’s “a city guy and loves the heartbeat of a city.” That sentiment echoes a New York Times Magazine story last year that said Michelle Obama has told dinner guests her husband “does not care for it all that much.”

{Okay even Politico says 17 trips is infrequent....as in not a whole heck of a lot....why....because he doesn't like it....and what does he do there....biking, running....NOT skeet shooting....}

So....now President Hussein Obama is having a field day with the definition of "all"....
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@Knightkore Post
Load more replies >
u
Feb '13

Angry_man

!
Wonder if they used the same process as thy did for his birth certificate.
- B Vote Up r4 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Feb '13

Denizen_Kate

!
Right. Because what a bunch of while men in the GOP really want to see is a photo of a black man firing a shotgun. ;)
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@Denizen_Kate Post
o
Feb '13

NTBFW

!
@Denizen_Kate why shouldn't a black man fire a shotgun? The second amendment applies to everyone.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@NTBFW Post
Feb '13

Denizen_Kate

!
@NTBFW - Sarcasm.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@Denizen_Kate Post
o
Feb '13

NTBFW

!
@Denizen_Kate just going record that this conservative doesn't discriminate.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@NTBFW Post
u
Feb '13

Yank

!
Sad that we live in a world that has come to this.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Feb '13

wonka45ACP

!
YEAH.. RIGHT.. want to see my photoshop of me and 10 milloin dollars..
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Feb '13

Jack-Black

!
lol. Isnt he holding it backwards?
- B2 • Vote Up r1 Reply
- r Reply
Post
Feb '13

Denizen_Kate

!
Maybe not backward, but definitely awkward. The stock doesn't sit properly in his shoulder, and his arms are too long for that short stock. Plus, if he's firing at clay pigeons, he needs to be aiming much higher.
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@Denizen_Kate Post
u
Feb '13

whataGOVwehave

!
this means nothing....him and his posse are still trying to butcher our rights.
- B2 • Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
o
Feb '13

NTBFW

!
One thing that photo proves. He hasn't shot very much.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
Post
Feb '13

bsking

!
What a crock of shit... is he shooting skeet he's aiming right at the f!%king machine. what a clown. man these people are really idiots. only a freaking moron would believe that he's shooing t skeet at that trajectory
- B1 • Vote Up r2 Replies
- r Reply
Post
o
Feb '13

Republican5001

!
He's teaching Adam Lanza how to shoot women and children, if they didn't vote democrat, in this picture.

Nothing more...
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@Republican5001 Post
Feb '13

Canoochee

!
Also, and this could just have been when the photo was snapped, but, shouldn't his shoulder show the effect of the kick?
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@Canoochee Post
Feb '13

bsking

!
You know if they wanted to make it look like a fun photo they should have dressed him like Elmer FUD ;-O
- B2 • Vote Up r1 Reply
- r Reply
Post
o
Feb '13

thejimbo

!
yep, he needed to hunt for those right-wing wabbits...lol
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@thejimbo Post
Feb '13

AlexMIA

!
It propaganda! You may as well photo graph him him bear hunting and spearfishing like that russian president was!
- B2 • Vote Up r6 Replies
- r Reply
Post
Feb '13

Fishbone345

!
Hey now! Putin is the epitome of manhood.
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/09/vl...
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@Fishbone345 Post
Feb '13

AlexMIA

!
@Fishbone345 I guess now body surfer boy Obama is too.
- B1 • Vote Up
- r Reply
@AlexMIA Post
Feb '13

Fishbone345

!
@AlexMIA We should just have our elected leaders settle dispute's MMA style. We could make the ring totally Mad Max style. No more wars, no more boys dying, two men settle it in the damn ring. Winner gets to dictate policy.
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@Fishbone345 Post
Feb '13

AlexMIA

!
@Fishbone345 Not too much into guys rolling on the floor with eachother. Let me know if we start electing young attractactive women into leadership and I'll go for some jello wrestling, and please don't stick Hillary in there!
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@AlexMIA Post
Feb '13

Fishbone345

!
@AlexMIA What if we give them weapons and make it more Roman gladiator style?
- B Vote Up
- r Reply
@Fishbone345 Post
Load more replies >
R Load more comments...

Does the photo make Obama seem more gun-friendly?

Does the photo make Obama seem more gun-friendly?