Sarah Palin: The gun-toting governor of Alaska

O'Fallon, Missouri; August 31 2008: John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, greets supporters alongside his vice-presidential nominee, Sarah Palin Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty

The young Sarah Palin, then Sarah Heath, holds shrimp in Skagway, Alaska, where her father, Chuck, was a schoolteacher for five years Photograph: Heath family/AP

Palin enjoys the countryside in Fireweed, Alaska Photograph: Heath Family/AP

Wasilla, Alaska: The family dog, Rufus, sniffs out two ptarmigans after a successful hunting trip Photograph: Heath Family/AP

Wasilla: Palin, left, stands with her brother, Chuck, and sister, Heather Photograph: Heath Family/AP

Sitting in her dorm room at the University of Idaho Photograph: Heath family/AP

Wasilla: Palin strikes a pose next to a car belonging to her husband, Todd Photograph: Heath Family/AP

Wasilla, August 28: The Alaska governor's father-in-law, Jim Palin, shows old family pictures from his home Photograph: Al Grillo/AP

The gun-lover poses with one of her daughters and a dead caribou in Alaska Photograph: Heath Family/AP

Wasilla: Palin and daughter show off salmon caught during a fishing trip Photograph: Heath Family/AP

Fairbanks, Alaska; December 4 2006: Sarah and Todd Palin and their daughters - Bristol, 16, right, and Piper, five, front - at Palin's inauguration as the first female and youngest Alaskan governor Photograph: Al Grillo/AP

Juneau, Alaska; April 2 2006: The governor listens to the department of revenue commissioner, Pat Galvin, during an impromptu news conference Photograph: Chris Miller/AP

Kuwait; July 24 2007: Lieutenant Colonel David Cogdell helps Palin test a firearm at the training village at Camp Beuhring Photograph: Pvt. Christopher T. Grammer/AP

Anchorage, Alaska; December 6 2007: The governor poses for a portrait in her office Photograph: Joseph Connoly/Getty

2007: Sarah Palin (C) surrounded by her family members. Clockwise from back: son Track and husband Todd, and daughters Bristol, Piper and Willow Photograph: State of Alaska/Reuters

Anchorage; April 23 2008: The happy parents hold their newborn boy, Trig Photograph: Al Grillo/AP

Washington, August 30: The Republican ticket and Palin's husband, Todd, greet supporters during an event at Consol Energy Park Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty

Washington; August 30: The Republican vice-presidential candidate pumps her fist as she walks towards a bus on a campaign stop Photograph: Keith Srakocic/AP

O'Fallon; August 31: Palin signs autographs at a rally at TR Hughes ballpark Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty