McCain: Dems will infringe arms rights

LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 17 (UPI) -- Presumptive U.S. Republican presidential nominee John McCain said his Democratic opponents would infringe on the rights of gun owners if elected.

McCain's comments about Democratic hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama came Friday at the National Rifle Association's yearly gathering in Louisville, Ky., USA Today reported.

"The Second Amendment is unique in the world. It guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms. To argue anything else is to reject the clear meaning of our founding fathers," McCain said. "If either Sen. Clinton or Sen. Obama is elected president, the rights of law-abiding gun owners will be at risk."

Obama has called for extending the national assault weapons ban, limits on gun sales, and a national law against carrying concealed weapons, with few exceptions.

Speaking with reporters Friday in South Dakota, Obama said he sees gun ownership as an individual constitutional right but said there should be "common sense" laws on background checks and other processes meant to promote gun safety.