INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ U.S. Sen. Dan Coats says he’ll oppose President Barack Obama’s call for an assault weapons ban, but Indiana gun rights activists are taking his stand with a grain of salt.
 
  Coats issued a statement Wednesday saying he would not support any proposals that endanger the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
 
  When he ran for the Senate in 2010, some gun rights proponents took Coats to task over his votes in favor of the Brady Bill and the assault weapons ban in the 1990s.
 
  Lafayette attorney and shooting enthusiast Kirk Freeman questioned Coats’ gun rights position in 2010. He’s skeptical of Coats’ new stand and believes other gun owners also will be.
 
  A spokeswoman for Coats didn’t immediately return a phone call seeking comment.