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America Prepares Its Response
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"...[T]he gun-ban lobby formerly known as HCI never once paused
from aggressively promoting its anti-gun agenda..." |
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New York Marines
(photo: Thomas E. Franklin)
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Last week`s cowardly assault on America by a handful of
terrorists resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives,
but has also united our great nation in a way few could have
imagined. The overwhelming majority of Americans, including NRA`s
more than 4 million members, stand solidly behind President
George Bush`s commitment to bring to justice those responsible
for ordering, coordinating, or assisting in the attacks that took
place on September 11.
But while U.S. troops mobilize, and our government negotiates
with world leaders for their cooperation in a war on terrorism,
NRA remains vigilant, guarding against any attempts to restrict
our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Unfortunately, while many in
Congress have pledged to focus their legislative efforts on
addressing the threat of terrorism, some seem willing to take
advantage of a national tragedy to promote their political
agenda.
For example, in a September 19 Washington Post op-ed column, U.S.
Representative John Conyers (D-Mich.) used last week`s terrorist
attack to launch his own thinly-veiled attack on the "gun lobby."
And the gun-ban lobby formerly known as HCI never once paused
from aggressively promoting its anti-gun agenda in the wake of a
national tragedy that involved no firearms. In fact, the group is
shamelessly attempting to use the acts of terrorists in order to
increase restrictions on law-abiding gun owners, including
promoting attacks on legal gun shows.
Sarah Brady, chair of the
gun-ban lobby, exploited the terrorist attack on America along
with the tragic accidental death of a three-year-old child as an
opportunity to spread anti-gun misinformation in an attempt to
dissuade law-abiding citizens from purchasing firearms for
personal protection. If the gun-ban zealots were truly concerned
about the safe handling of firearms, they would encourage any
potential firearm purchasers to contact NRA for information on
how new gun owners can be educated in safely and responsibly
handling and storing their firearms.
Congressional Debate Coming
In the days and weeks to come, Congress will consider many
proposals that seek to ensure America`s safety from terrorists,
and NRA will stand vigilant to ensure that the Second Amendment
does not become yet another victim of the attacks of September
11. Unfortunately, we can expect the anti-gun community to become
far more brazen in its efforts to capitalize on a national
tragedy and push its gun-ban agenda. Law-abiding gun owners
should watch for
- renewed, aggressive attempts to: pass licensing
and registration schemes;
- shut down gun shows as we know them
today; and
- revive old issues that have already been addressed by
Congress, such as adding "taggants" to black and smokeless
powders, and playing up the myth of the "plastic gun."
Congress has already mandated a study of "taggants," and in 1998,
a committee of scientists issued
its report. The committee`s
recommendations were carefully directed to identify feasible and
effective actions that would assist law enforcement to prevent
bombings and to conduct investigations in their aftermath. The
use of "taggants" in black and smokeless powders was found to be
unfeasible and of uncertain value. And as for "plastic guns,"
although they do not exist, federal law already prohibits the
manufacture or possession of any firearm that is not detectable
by the types of x-ray machines that are now used at airports. You
can find more information on these subjects posted to the
Research section of NRAILA.org.
For those not on the Internet,
please call the Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683 if you
would like material on any or all of these topics.
Be sure to contact your U.S. Senators, at (202) 224-3121, and
your U.S. Representative, at (202) 225-3121, and urge them to do
everything possible to end the threat of terrorism, but not at
the expense of our freedom. You can also find contact information
for your federal lawmakers by using the "Write Your Reps" tool at
NRAILA.org.
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