They’ll get my gun answer when they pry the questionnaire out of my dead, cold fingers

Via Politico, looks like the National Rifle Association is getting its panties in a twist over a question posed to job applicants by the Obama transition team:

The National Rifle Association has denounced the move, which has already led one Republican senator to consider legislation aimed at ensuring a president can’t use an applicant’s gun ownership status to deny employment.

Obama’s transition team declined to go into detail on why they included the question, suggesting only that it was done to ensure potential appointees were in line with gun laws.

“The intent of the gun question is to determine legal permitting,” said one transition aide.

Tucked in at the end of the questionnaire and listed under “Miscellaneous,” it reads: “Do you or any members of your immediate family own a gun? If so, provide complete ownership and registration information. Has the registration ever lapsed? Please also describe how and by whom it is used and whether it has been the cause of any personal injuries or property damage.”

Boiled down to its essence, the question seems to ask: “Have you ever possessed or used a gun illegally or improperly?” I don’t think it’s anti-Second Amendment to ensure political appointees haven’t broken the law or, you know, shot a man in Reno just to watch him die.

Why’s this important? I can think of at least one reason. Maybe even two. Improper and illegal gun handling by high-ranking aides can be a real political distraction, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Obama is that he really doesn’t like distractions.

Besides, it’s important to note that other questions posed by the Obama team ask about Facebook accounts, e-mail habits and blogging. There’s been some grumbling about that, yes, but the ACLU isn’t mounting a campaign about this. The “scandal” here is that the NRA is looking for every opportunity to be offended — and every opportunity to capitalize on that offense for some good fund-raising.