Associated Press - May 15, 2009 5:34 PM ET

PHOENIX (AP) - Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele says Democrats in Washington want to take away the rights of law-abiding Americans to buy and own guns and are ready to mount an assault on that freedom.

Steele told thousands of people at the National Rifle Association's convention in Phoenix that the Obama administration has a theory that drug crime in Mexico could be prevented by banning guns in the United States.

Obama has said he respects Americans' Second Amendment right to bear arms, but that he favors "common sense" gun laws.

The RNC boss says Democrats are using violence reported in the news to frighten the public and push proposals that would restrict the gun rights of law-abiding people.

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