Posted on 04/16/2009 2:44:09 PM PDT by DCBryan1
Dear 1LT Bryan:
I'm sitting here in my wheelchair today, mad as hell, trying to control my anger, but without much success.
And please understand-I'm not angry with folks like you...or angry about my own personal situation.
Many years ago, with the help of my wife Sarah, I was able to cope with the initial bitterness and depression that come with the knowledge that I'm going to spend the rest of my life confined to a wheelchair.
Instead, I'm angry at the gun lobby led by the National Rifle Association (NRA), and the dangerous state of "gun politics" in Washington D.C. But what really gets me is, even ad deadly shootings are on the rise in churches, workplaces, and schools, these threats to safety of Americans have failed to force legislators to close the legal loopholes in the gun laws that allow serial killers, disturbed teenagers, terrorists, and dangerous criminals to easily obtain any firearms they want- even military style assault weapons!!
And that's why I am so deeply involved in the work of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and why we need you to join us with a contribution of $20, $32, or $75.
Currently, the Brady Campaign is working with the U.S. Congress and state legislatures in fighting against extremists like the well funded gun lobby and the NRA, who spend millions of dollars lobbying against sensible gun legilsation. Isn't it time to end once and for all, the gun lobby's extremist "guns for everyone, no qauestions asked" mentality?
Watching the gun lobby run roughshod over our nation's gun laws and put American lives in jeopardy is very tough for me, because I have experienced, first hand, up close and personal, what it means to be a victim of gun violence.
As you know, on March 30, 1981, a deranged man named John Hinckley attempted to assassinate President Reagan. I was seriously wounded with a bullet in my head. This permanently affected my speech and motor response. And that is why I am still in a wheelchair. And always will be.
But here's exactly what makes me so angry:
Nearly 28 years after I was shot, even though laws have since been passed requiring criminal background checks on handguns purchased thorugh licened dealers...there still exists a terrible and deadly loophole....
It's called the "gun show loophole".
A loophole that could be responsible for killing someone you love.
In brief, this gun show loophole allows the NRA-backed gun industry to get away with the moral equivalent of MURDER! And it is still possible for a criminal, terrorist (or a man like John Hinkley!) to buy a gun without a background check.
That is why , instead of just sitting here feeling sorry for myself- which would be an easy indulgence- my wife Sarah and I have dedicated our lives to putting strong gun laws on the books and making our country safer.
You may be aware of the Brady Law, which requires background checks on most gun sales. We introduced this law and convinced Congress to pass it in 1993, after seven, long, bitter years of fighting the NRA. They ar eaffiliated with the rich, powerful gun industry. All we had were folkes like you and me. And we won! Imagine that!
It was a start twoards ending gun violence- a strong beginning. But here is the deadly truth about the gun show loophole:
Even though the Brady Law ent into effect over 15 years ago, and over 1.6 million prohibited purchers - felons, juveniles, stalkers, those convicted of domestic violence, terrorists, - have been stopped from buying firearms from licensed gun dealers, which has contributed to 27 percent decrease in gun deaths...
Because of this loophole, gun shows have become nothing less than an arms bazaar that provides a safe haven for criminals, terrorists, minors, and illegal gun dealers who want to skirt federal gun laws and buy or sell guns on a cash-and-carry, "no questions asked" basis.
And because there are an estimated 4,000 gun shows that take place annually across th enation in convention centers, school gymnasiums, fairgrounds, and facilities often paid for and maintained with taxpayer money, including some in your own community.
It's a frightening, uncontrolled business.
And in a nutshell, it exists becuase the Brady Law applies only to licenced gun dealers! The same is true of many state firearm background check laws. And so, in most states and under ferderal laws, if you want to buy a handgun - or a weapon powerful enough to down a commercial airline - hey, just go to a gunshow!
Show your driver's license to a private dealer, and now, thanks to congressional inaction, you can even buy an American-made AK-47 or Uzi-style killing machine. It is all perfectly legal!
This should worry you. This should be your wake-up call to insist that Congress do everything possible to close the gun show loophole.
And that is why I say, "Enough is enough...NO back ground check, NO gun, NO excuses!"
The battle lines here are clearly drawn. The majority of Amreicans support gun laws. That's a fact.
So what keeps such laws from being passed?
It's quite simple. It's still the NRA, along with the wealthy, and the gun lobby. They have the financial reserves that make them, as they say on Capitol Hill, "very deep pocketed".
We may not have the same war chest as the NRA, but we have the majority of Americans on our side. The Brady Campaign needs you, and I urge you to sign on.
We can beat them if we have you with us. If you will sign both petitions and them return them to me, I promise that your petitions will be delivered to your Senators.
Your Senators absolutely must get the message loud and clear: "I'm a voter in your state, and here is how i feel about U.S. gun laws and closing the gun show loophole". Once they hear from all of us, they'll know that passing strong gun laws must be at the top of their agenda.
Finally, when you return your signed petitions to your Senators, it will help us greatly if you join that Brady Campaing today with a gift of $20, or $32, or $75...please do the best that you can.
If we don't stand up for America's safety, when will the next criminal, disturbed teenager, or terrorist purchase a weapon at a gun show? And who will be the next victim?
Gun violence is senseless. It's stupid. It can be prevented. But with the gun industry and the National Rifle Association no longer controlling the White House, it's up to citizens like you and me to stand with the Brady Campoaing to get the job done!
All we want are strong, sensible gun laws that protect our loved ones and keep guns out of the hands of criminals, juveniles, terrorists, and other dangerous people.
Very sincerely,
Jim Brady
Brady Campaing to Prevent Gun Violence
1225 Eye Street, NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005-3914
www.BradyCampaign.org
Spent ones are .... just go pull it out of the backstop.
I’m gonna dig a “cop killer” bullet out of the backstop in the basement later tonight ;)
Brady will not be happy until every person in the US is in immediate danger of being in the same condition he is in.
From a private individual who doesn't sell firearms for a living.
Aside from that, it's all BS.
Right. That's why there are 4 million or so NRA members, and what, like 10 percent of that who belong to gun control organizations?
And since then, Jim and I have mad it our life's work to put the gun lobby out of business - and pass and protect sensible gun laws.
What a waste. You could have spent your life in so many other productive ways. You chose to squander yours trying to deprive me of my rights.
We've made real progress
Again, right. There have never been more gun friendly laws, and more on the way all the time. This is a real Baghdad Bob moment, Sarah. You guys are losing your shirts. I've never been prouder of the NRA.
I wonder if he and his wife ever reflec that if John Hinckley were put to sleep instead of getting off on a crazy plea, that maybe, just maybe the next nut bag would think twice.
>From a private individual who doesn’t sell firearms for a living.
The funny thing about that is that “for a living” is entirely subjective, as even the BATF guys will admit. (Because there’s also the clause ‘for a profit’ somewhere in the reg.)
>Aside from that, it’s all BS.
So are the majority of our gun-control laws.
So is the idea that Congress, the FedGov (Exec branch), or the USSC care about any of the following: Justice, Responsibility, Accountability, “the law”, Citizens...
Gun Show Loophole.
really?? Is there where murderers and gangbangers are getting their guns?
I doubt it.
Any mention of the straw purchase of a shotgun dear sarah made for their son.
Memo to Jim & Sarah(Not the good one). When sending out please advise us as to where these inexpensive items can be found. The only ones I can find are a lot more costly. Where can I find more ammo especially those hard to get armor piercing Black Rinos and RPGs. By the way the NRA has a great gun training video “Eddie Eagle” you might want to buy for your uneducated son.
Lie... he IS angry about being in a wheelchair, and since he cannot take it out on the guy who put him there, he's taking it out on "folks like you."
Alike no mention of Mr. and Mrs. Brady teaching their
child about gun safety, no wonder he picked it up.
Gun handling should be taught all through school.
Gun safety in the early grades, shooting and handling in the upper grades.
It’s ok to teach kids how to put a condom on a banana,
It’s ok to teach them about gay anal sex,
And exploring your lesbian self is taught all the time
but the wrath of a liberal god comes down on anyone who would dare to teach them gun safety.
Oh and Sarah, I’ve been going to gun shows
for a LONG time and I’ve NEVER seen one in a school gymnasium.
Say I understand the one who shot Reagan
and your husband is allowed family leave now, sure that’s a deterrent alright.
Thanks for the ping. I was busy signing them both up for a free NRA membership. :-)
They would get a truly strongly worded letter from me.
MAC-10s were only in production for civilians for about 16 years before Reagan signed that atrocity of a gun bill. I also doubt they’re available for under a thousand.
This is too obscure. Who was a "Bircher"? And what is a "Bircher"?
JBS: John Birch Society
Who is a "Bircher" and what is the significance?
However, your efforts are still born out of anger for the position you now find your self in. An irrational anger. I am not trying to insult, truly, but from my perspective that is the way it looks.
Your top ten reasons for not liking guns are factually incorrect and only approach the issue from the point you are selling.
Do you honestly believe a human should not have the right to protect themselves. That is giving up on a human right that we all demand, LIFE. How do justify disarming another human being in this dangerous world and say “Just take it”, for the greater good I suppose.
You may be comfortable never seeing a gun and in some ways I don't blame you. But for anyone who commits violence against another they expect an even stronger response as a defense to one’s very valued and only life they have.
I am not.
I don't expect the police to stop violence against me in the 3 to 60 minutes it takes them to respond. Not knocking the police but that is just way things work. They do what they can, as fast as they can and with as much excellence possible.
But maybe I won't have access to the phone so I can wait for someone to answer or receive a busy signal. Are you aware that if you use a cell phone in Northern California the calls are sent to a CHP call center and at rush hour you can wait an hour for the call to be answered?
Could you or would you, seriously put you or a loved at risk because you want to wait for the police?
You will be dead or seriously injured. Period.
The police do not live with you and can't prevent violence against you or your family.
The decision of preservation of your life is a personal responsibility. If you choose to forfeit your life because of a personal belief, fine.
But I do not forfeit my life. Heck, I like it and this world and will fight to defend myself, only.
Do you see my point of view?
I want never to have violence visited upon me but rest assured I will readily and unflinchingly defend myself if there are no other alternatives.
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