Gun issues could be a focus in the 1st Congressional District race.
Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Utah, has landed National Rifle Association President Charlton Heston to speak at a political fund-raising event June 2 at the Salt Lake Marriott Hotel."We're excited. We got Karl Malone to introduce him," said Hansen spokesman Steve Peterson. "We've been trying to get (Heston) for years. A conservative in Hollywood is very rare, and we always want to get a headliner."
At last week's NRA convention, Heston was shown on television, holding up a vintage musket and declaring, "You can take my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers."
But Peterson made it clear it's not an NRA function. Gun rights and the Second Amendment protection, however, may be part of Heston's speech, he added.
Peterson said they hope to raise $30,000 after expenses from the $125-per-plate dinner. "We're two-thirds sold out," he added. Heston will receive a $15,000 speaking fee that will go toward Heston's political action fund.
His Democratic challenger, Kathleen McConkie Collinwood, thinks Heston is a poor choice.
"He doesn't reflect the values of the 1st District," she said. "I'm convinced it certainly doesn't reflect mothers' views."
Collinwood said she is organizing a women's conference that focuses on how to stem the tide of violence in schools in response to the gun-rights debate. She supports the Utah initiative to ban concealed weapons in schools and churches.
"Hopefully it will be on the ballot so Utahns can choose," she added.
Hansen opposes the Utah initiative, Peterson said. "You can look at Jim's voting record. Jim is very supportive of protecting Second Amendment rights," he added.
Hansen has voted against the federal assault weapons ban and against the Brady law requiring criminal background checks for purchases from licensed gun dealers. He also opposes federal registration of firearms.