Posted on 04/14/2012 8:33:17 AM PDT by marktwain
The NRA, working alongside like-minded conservative groups such as Alec, the American Legislative Exchange Council, has developed sophisticated lobbying networks designed to push back gun controls both at the federal and state level.
Here are key areas where the gun lobby has either pushed laws that weaken controls or blocked laws intended to tighten loopholes:
1. Concealed carry reciprocity
The NRA is backing two bills currently being considered by the US Senate that would extend the right to carry concealed weapons right across the US. The Begich-Manchin and Thune-Vitter bills would override the laws of almost every state by forcing them to allow people with out-of-state concealed carry permits to carry a hidden loaded gun, even in cases where the individual would not have qualified for a permit in that particular state. The Thune bill goes further – it would allow people from states that don't even require permits to carry hidden guns throughout the country.
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10. Revoking licences from corrupt dealers
The NRA has made several attempts to usher through Congress an "ATF reform bill" that would make it much harder – some say virtually impossible – to revoke the gun-selling licenses of crooked dealers. If the bill passed – and the NRA is expected to try again soon – the ATF would have to prove the dealer's state of mind, in terms of his or her premeditated intention to break the law.
SOURCE: Mayors Against Illegal Guns
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
A country that is truly free doesn’t need “gun-control laws”. Those laws are for countries run by dictators.
Way to go NRA!
Isn’t the Guardian the newspaper produced in the work-therapy department of London’s Bethlem Hospital?
England is a totalitarian nation,, that pines for monarchy. They are unworthy of consideration, except as a bad example.
England has no second amendment, therefore they lose the right to comment on the second amendment, which they can’t be expected to understand.
Furthermore, in a country (England) where forcefully defending oneself (even with a knife or a stick, or even with your fists) is a much worse crime than robbery or assault, has lost all right to lecture me and my country on the ways we choose to protect the right of self-defense in our society.
FUGB
Go away. And take the UN with you. Please. (I’ll help pay for shipping.)
THe English rulers have never liked the peasants having weapons or freedom.
All those English who registered their guns lost them to confiscation a decade ago ;the ONLY reason for registration is eventual confiscation.
I'm on the fence here. On one hand, I don't think the feds should dictate to the States what they can/cannot do. On the other hand, this is a 2nd Amendment issue, I don't think any State should infringe on a fundamental right. I think I'm with the NRA on this one.
2. Private gun sales loophole
Under existing federal law, unlicensed gun sellers are allowed to sell weapons without a background check of the buyer at gun shows and other private sales. ...opposes legislation that would close this glaring loophole...
Great! Why should a private sale of a firearm, or anything else, require the seller to do a background check? Before you sell a car to someone, do you have to check that they have a license, no DUIs, a garage, etc.? Before you sell your home gym (see other thread here on FR) do you have to check that the person you're selling it to has a note from their doctor saying it is ok for them to start an exercise regimen? Private sales are private sales. Keep the government out. BTW, it isn't a "glaring loophole" - it's called freedom. Come on in, the water's fine.
3. Terror watch list
The NRA has strongly opposed legislation to prohibit the sale of guns to people on the federal government's terrorist watch list. Under current law, a suspected terrorist can be put on the no-fly list and be kept off a plane, but can't be prevented from buying a gun.
The 2nd Amendment re-states our right to keep and bear arms. Flying is not a right. Neither is health care, but that's another rant.
4. Stand-your-ground laws
Why should I, or anyone, be required to run-away in the face of a threat? What a bunch of pussies. Yeah, I said it. Not politically correct, not intended as a slur against the fairer sex. The only reason to run away would be a "tactical retreat" - to reload or gain a tactical advantage. If I've got the means to protect myself and my family, friends, and neighbors, I will use everything I have. Stealing is evil, I will not promote nor encourage it, I will fight it.
5. Guns on campuses
This year, at least 14 states have introduced 35 bills, with NRA encouragement, that would allow students and faculty to carry concealed weapons on the campuses of state colleges and universities...
Great! The so-called "gun free zones" are also known as "target rich environemnts" for the bad guys. Think about it. Why is it that you only hear about significant killing sprees (more than a couple of deaths/injuries) at places that are "gun free" zones...yet you never hear of a shoot-out at a gun show, firearms dealership, etc? Even the shooting at Fort Hood, a place you'd think would be crawling with trained and armed people - was in an area where soldiers were intentionally disarmed. No place should be a "gun free" zone - that's the same as saying "this is the barrel, you're the fish..."
7. Guns in schools
NRA-backed gun proponents have tried in several states to pass legislation eliminating "gun-free zones" and allowing weapons in elementary schools and even day-care centres.
Excellent - see response to #6.
8. Guns in the workplace, bars and restaurants
For several years the NRA has pushed legislation prohibiting businesses and employers from banning guns in locked cars in parking lots. It has been successful in several states, including Florida, Georgia and Utah, and is currently pushing for passage in Tennessee. Indiana and North Dakota have enacted laws allowing employees to sue if they are asked about gun possession at work. The NRA has also been lobbying for several years to expand the right to carry hidden loaded guns into bars and restaurants.
Again, fine. Just as in #6 why create target rich environments for criminals. If you're worried about people getting drunk and doing something stupid with a firearm... Well then it is probably best that these kinds of people self-select out of the gene pool. Firearms owners I know would never do something so irresponsible.
9. Tracing guns used in shootings
In 2004, a Republican congressman from Kansas, Todd Tiahrt, a long-time ally of the NRA, added an amendment to bill regarding the bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives (ATF). Until that point, data had been kept on the history of guns used in murders and shootings, which allowed police and policymakers to trace them back to corrupt dealerships and other holes in the system. The rule change, known as the Tiahrt amendment, made this data much harder to acquire. It also forced the justice department to destroy within 24 hours the records of any gun buyer whose background check was approved. The overall impact of the amendments was to make it much harder for police to clamp down on illegally distributed guns.
Ah, very carefully worded to lead you to the wrong conclusion. What isn't really said is that law enforcement can still trace firearms used in crimes. They just don't have carte-blanch access to the data. Also, for people who have committed no crime - only purchased a firearm - law enforcement cannot keep records on them. Seems like a reasonable protection of privacy.
10. Revoking licences from corrupt dealers
The NRA has made several attempts to usher through Congress an "ATF reform bill" that would make it much harder – some say virtually impossible – to revoke the gun-selling licenses of crooked dealers.
Define "crooked dealer" please. What a stereotypical term. If law enforcement can prove the dealer broke the law, fine - bring charges. If not, fundamentally you cannot hold the seller accountable for what someone does with your product. Do you want to hold GM accountable for every drunk driver that gets involved in a crash in a Chevy? Do you want to hold McDonalds accountable for every overweight heart attack victim? It's called personal responsibility and accountability. I know these concepts are foreign to the nanny-state liberals and their mindset but they are fundamental to America and Americans.
THe English rulers have never liked the peasants having weapons or freedom.
All those English who registered their guns lost them to confiscation a decade ago ;the ONLY reason for registration is eventual confiscation.
Thank you for your thoughtful analysis.
Gun ownership in the U.S.......what business is it of the freakin’ British?
They need to get their own screwed up house in order before they mouth off and tell us how to run our country.
We had to fight a war with them before we got a Bill of Rights and a Constitution.
Stinking Brits lecturing us bloody Yanks. It is to laugh........
Wouldn’t visit muzzie-ridden U.K. for all the tea in China.
10 Ways the NRA has Strengthened Gun Rights in America
2. Private gun sales loophole
Licensing requirements are for licensed dealers, not people in general. This is how licensing works, not a "loophole".
3. Terror watch list
The terror watch list is a joke. IIRC, Ted Kennedy was on it, and he wasn't dangerous unless you were sufficiently unwise to accept home from a party with him.
4. Stand-your-ground laws
5. Guns on campuses
Good.
7. Guns in schools
I see that Number Six escaped from the Guardian's Village.
Anyway, good.
8. Guns in the workplace, bars and restaurants
Good.
9. Tracing guns used in shootings
10. Revoking licences from corrupt dealers
Good. The government has no legitimate business poking its nose into people's private business until after some ground for individual suspicion has been established.
Not to mention...
In February, the Georgia state assembly passed HR 981, which would have made it legal to carry guns on college campuses, elementary and secondary schools, state mental hospitals and bars.
This is a flat-out lie. HB 981 (it was a House Bill, not a House Resolution) was never passed out of House committee and did not get a floor vote.
Good catch! Where is number Six? Escaped as mentioned earlier.
It is getting harder and harder for the left to attract anyone who is intelligent or educated.
Your #8 here was excellent! Good job!
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