Off Topic But Are We Going To Get Screwed?

[Bruce V 21/28]

Anybody notice today's discussions about possible cabinet position changes in the Bush Administration? John Ashcroft was mentioned as very likely to leave the cabinet. What bothers me is "they" mentioned "Ruddy of New York" as a possible replacement for Ashcroft. As I remember it, Ruddy aint that friendly to the Second Amendment. If the new A.G. is not as friendly to the Second Amendment as Ashcroft has been, will the Administration's interpretation of the Second Amendment change from it's current position of "individual right" back to the "collective right" interpretation? Is this the begining of another screw job on the pro gun community? In as much as I voted for Bush, I sure hope not.

[Bob B]

Hope it's not politically incorrect to say so (or to reply to an OT post http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif ), but Rudy G. shoulda stuck to prosecuting organized crime figures. He was a great prosecutor, but as soon as he got real political clout he revealed the previously hidden dictatorial side of his personality. The guy has made no bones about his opposition to guns - ANY guns - in private hands; if he's appointed AG, I don't hold out much hope for "rights" of any kind, much less gun rights.

 

Even with a Republican-controlled House and Senate it's worrisome enough, since most politicians - Repubs as well as Dems - fear an armed populace and tend to support strict if not confiscatory regulation. At least this inclination is dampened by the example set in this election demonstrating yet again that strict gun control is literally the third rail of American politics - Bush's slim margin is probably more than equalled by pro-Second Amendment folks who despise Bush but voted for him only because of what Kerry represented.

 

However, the AG has the power to "interpret" existing law in ways that could make things a whole lot worse without any further anti-gun legislation whatsoever. And let's not forget that George Bush himself promised to sign another AWB (or worse) if it came to his desk. That it didn't may be more reflective of pre-election political pragmatism than a true commitment to gun rights.

 

In short, a strong NRA is more important than ever, despite the election.

[Jay Baker]

Whenever you think you're safe, is when you're in the greatest danger.

[TD.]

A strong National Rifle Association is a must. This President and Vice-President are at the beginning of the end of their political careers. However, the NRA will still be influential because the Republican Party fully understands the need for support from the gun owners in America. The GOP is already looking ahead to the next election, as is the NRA. I sometimes hear gun owners put down the NRA because of this or that and say they would never join or renew their membership.

 

Question No 1: How many people believe civilian ownership of handguns would still be legal in America if the NRA did not exist?

 

Question No 2: If you are not a NRA member, why?

[LIONHART]

QUOTE

I sometimes hear gun owners put down the NRA because of this or that and say they would never join or renew their membership.

 

I hear those excuses all of the time. And that's all they are, excuses from forking over $35.00.

 

 

 

QUOTE

Question No 1: How many people believe civilian ownership of handguns would still be legal in America if the NRA did not exist?

 

If the NRA Didn't exist, we wouldn't have any guns, no less Handguns...

 

 

QUOTE

Question No 2: If you are not a NRA member, why?

 

Those who aren't, rely on those who are...Too many folks who want their battles to be fought for them, but yet, they make no effort themselves. There ought to be a new rule here. IF a member of this forum isn't an NRA Memeber, they should be banned!

[Lancer]

QUOTE (LIONHART @ Nov 5 2004, 03:29 PM)

There ought to be a new rule here. IF a member of this forum isn't an NRA Memeber, they should be banned! [/color][/font][/b]

I could'nt agree more. $35 is only 3-4 boxes of ammo. Small price to pay for everything the NRA does, even includes American Rifleman. EVERYONE here should be a member.

[Waffen Und Bier]

The NRA has treated NFA like red headed step children or the crazy uncle who lives in the attic who nobody wants to talk about. We got barely a mention in LaPierre's book "Guns, Crime, and Freedom" (or whatever it was called - indicating they have been practically banned since 1934 or something like that), and Heston made it quite clear such things were inappropriate for civilian ownership. The alleged FOPA 1986 could have been killed preserving our MG rights, but the Fudds were more important than machine gun ownership. Oh, they did put one blurb in their magazine about the ban after it was signed into law. Saw no action on their part to fight it. I was an NRA member for approx. 20 years and the $35 don't mean anything to me. They should have kicked out Reagan when he signed the MG ban in 1986. They should have kicked out King George I when he signed the 1989 import ban executive order, but instead allowed him to remain a member and let him give up his membership when he took offence at the NRA refering to jack booted thugs as jack booted thugs during the Klinton era. They are more interested in the Fudds and the single shot target crowd. The biggest NRA affiliated gunshow in Florida won't even allow NFA in the show, yet they have the nerve to make the pitch to increase NRA membership over the loudspeaker to look out for each others' rights. What hypocrites. As far as having to be a member of the NRA to post here.....that likens back to the day of gotta be a member of the Communist party or Nazi party for privileges. JMHO.

[LIONHART]

Nothing in life is perfect, but as a whole, the NRA has done plenty of good, and will continue to do so, as long as there are plenty of members who do their part. I guess some will bitch and gripe over the view that the NRA has over the MG issue, BUT, if it weren't for them, you could have kissed any new production Drums and everything else goodbye.. If individuals want the NRA to address MG's, let it be known, and do YOUR part to see that it get's done.

 

QUOTE

That likens back to the day of gotta be a member of the Communist party or Nazi party for privileges. JMHO.

 

I don't see how one can compare being a member of the NRA to the likes of the NAZI's or a member of a Communist Party..I do feel EVERY Gun Owner should be a Card Carrying Member, and not a freeloader. There are too many of those in life as it is..

[Jay Baker]

There's always Gunowners of America. When you're number 2, you try harder. They keep me well informed on every threat to gunownership in every state. They also provide contacts, sample letters and the dreaded "talking points."

[21 smoker]

Again the speculation in the leftist media starts this bullshit all over...Ashcroft has been ill for the last few months,but now has recovered and is quoted as saying this week that he is looking forward to getting back to work....all the B.S. is wishful thinking by the very jerkoffs who have the most to fear.... http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/wink.gif

[1921A]

NRA NFA Friendly?

 

Waffen has it right! Unfortunately, the NRA has backed every major piece of anti-gun legislation that we are currently living with including; 1934 National Firearms Act, 1968 Gun Control Act and the 1986 Firearms Owners Protection Act.

 

I'm a life member and hate what they have helped do to the NFA dealer/collector but we have had to take the bad with the good. In each of these cases the NRA "duck hunters" were happy to sell us out to protect what they see as "main stream" gun owners. They're probably right. There are a lot more "duck hunters" than NFA collectors. Plus, making a fuss about NFA weapons seems to bring on unwanted and unnecessary attention from the liberals everytime we try it. We were a lot better off when these idiots didn't know civilians can and do own MGs.

 

Even with the Republicans in firm control you won't find the NRA or anyone else willing to stand up and

and fight for the NFA stuff. Most of them know it would be political suicide to suggest repealing the 1986 NFA ban.

 

I'll stay a member and I'll support others like GOA but sadly, the MG issue is a "dead duck" politically speaking.

 

My 02.

 

Greg Fox

[LIONHART]

JUST RECEIVED!!

 

2004 Election Report

-- Guns a major factor in races all across the nation

 

Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert

8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151

Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408

http://www.gunowners.org

 

November 5, 2004

 

 

The 2004 election might be remembered as "The Year of the Gun

Owner."

 

Presidential candidate John Kerry, a liberal anti-gun Senator from

Massachusetts, tried to morph himself into 'The Hunter.' Rarely a

day passed during the latter part of the campaign without Kerry

posing with a firearm and speaking about his strong support of the

Second Amendment, in complete contradiction to his 20-year anti-gun

voting record.

 

Kerry was not alone. All across the country, anti-gun politicians

tried to hide behind gun-friendly photo ops and empty rhetoric about

how much they support gun rights.

 

Gun Owners of America, through its candidate rating program and

political action committee, was able to expose much anti-gun

duplicity this year, and the results were extremely heartening.

 

Of course, the obstructionist anti-gun Senate Minority Leader, Tom

Daschle, is finally deposed. Replacing him is former Representative

John Thune, a strong pro-gun ally supported by Gun Owners of America

-- Political Victory Fund (GOA-PVF).

 

But while ousting Daschle was certainly one of the most crucial races

this year, there were six open Senate seats that anti-gunners had

their sights set on. GOA-PVF played an important role in thwarting

that plan and helping to elect strong pro-gun advocates to five of

the six open seats.

 

 

Louisiana: Anti-gun to Pro-gun

 

In Louisiana, pro-gun Rep. David Vitter shocked pundits by winning

this senate race outright. In that state, all candidates, regardless

of party, are placed on the November ballot. If no candidate were to

break the 50% mark, the top two vote getters would head into a

December runoff election.

 

Both major candidates, Vitter and Rep. Chris John (D), claimed to be

pro-gun. Rep. John, though, had voted against arming commercial

airline pilots and for the unconstitutional campaign finance reform

law, earning him a "C" grade by GOA as opposed to David Vitter's

solid "A" rating.

 

GOA-PVF was the ONLY national gun rights group to jump into the race,

contacting thousands of Second Amendment supporters highlighting the

differences between the candidates. At the end of the night, Vitter

had 51% of the vote and is now the Senator-elect. He replaces

retiring anti-gun "F" rated Senator John Breaux (D).

 

 

Oklahoma: Moderately Pro-gun to Very Pro-gun

 

One of the most exciting races of Election Day was the one to replace

retiring Senator Don Nickles ®. Running were former Representative

Dr. Tom Coburn and current Rep. Brad Carson.

 

Guns were a blazing issue right up to the end.

 

On Friday before the election, GOA got a call from Sen. Jim Inhofe,

the senior senator from Okalahoma. He was in a campaign bus

somewhere in the state, and he was upset. Coburn's opponent had sent

out a large postcard claiming that he was the real pro-Second

Amendment candidate in the race. In addition, the mailing alleged

the Coburn was not really pro-gun.

 

GOA immediately faxed the campaign a letter labeling the hit piece a

deception and reiterating our endorsement of Coburn, who was a solid

"A" with us (his opponent was a "B"). Moreover,

Coburn's leadership

and integrity would have made him the pick even if their voting

records had been identical.

 

GOA-PVF was the ONLY national gun rights group to make an endorsement

in this race, helping Dr. Coburn to victory with 53% of the vote.

 

And this in the face of being outspent nearly two to one in a state

with a Democrat registration advantage of two to one. The Republican

establishment did not support Coburn, who is known as a "Dr.

No" who

opposes their pork projects.

 

 

Pro-gun Candidates Win Open Senate Seats in the Southeast

 

Other races where GOA-PVF played a role were equally significant:

 

* The Senate seat in North Carolina was that of vice-presidential

nominee John Edwards, a trial lawyer who earlier this year took a

rare break from the campaign to come to Washington to help sink a

bill designed to protect gun makers from frivolous lawsuits. Running

to fill this seat were pro-gun U.S. House member Richard Burr and

former Chief of Staff to President Bill Clinton, Erskine Bowles.

GOA-PVF supported Rep. Burr, who won with 52% of the vote.

 

* In South Carolina, pro-gun House member Jim DeMint faced off

against Inez Tenenbaum, State Superintendent of Education. Tenenbaum

had the advantage of having won statewide office in 1998 and 2002,

while Rep. DeMint was widely unknown outside of his congressional

district. Rep. DeMint is a man of principle who clearly articulated

his positions and stood by them. Tenenbaum, on the other hand,

refused to make her Second Amendment positions known. Rep. DeMint,

endorsed and supported by GOA-PVF, won with 54% of the vote.

 

* In the Sunshine State, a former cabinet member for President George

W. Bush, Mel Martinez, faced a formidable foe in anti-gun former

state senator and Florida Commissioner of Education, Betty Castor.

Martinez, though a trial lawyer himself, is an outspoken opponent of

the frivolous lawsuits brought by many cities and states against the

gun industry. Martinez, who replaces retiring anti-gun Sen. Bob

Graham, narrowly won this race with 50% of the vote.

 

 

Huge Victory in Colorado

 

All together, GOA-PVF helped 14 pro-gun challengers get elected in

the House and Senate. GOA's general policy is to restrict our

support to challengers, since incumbents have obvious advantages in

raising money and name ID.

 

This is why GOA's Executive Director put out a PERSONAL appeal for

incumbent Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO), who was combating a million

dollar TV campaign that attacked her incessantly. Happily, Musgrave

was able to raise $3 million, and she won her race with 51% of the

vote.

 

Musgrave has been a leader on a whole host of conservative issues,

including gun rights. She was the founder of the Second Amendment

Caucus in Congress and has sponsored and cosponsored numerous pro-gun

bills.

 

People in Musgrave's district have certainly appreciated her

willingness to fight the Republican establishment in the nation's

capital, just as she fought it in Denver as a state legislator.

 

GOA-PVF was involved in other House and Senate races. To get the

full report, become a GOA member at www.gunowners.org/ordergoamem.htm

-- this will start your subscription to The Gun Owners newsletter,

which will keep you up-to-date on what's happening with your gun

rights.

 

 

The Road Ahead

 

There is no question that gun owners made significant gains in the

2004 elections. There is the question, however, of what will be done

with these gains.

 

The ultimate objective is not merely to elect good people; we must

also work to restore lost ground. Consider just a few examples of

gun rights we have lost over the past few decades:

 

* The 1968 Gun Control Act instituted, among other things, the

blatantly unconstitutional "sporting purposes" test, which

stipulates

that imported firearms must be "particularly suitable for or readily

adaptable to sporting purposes."

 

* Since 1976, the District of Columbia has been under a near total

gun ban. The House voted this year to repeal the ban, but it died in

the Senate.

 

* In 1986, the Congress banned the manufacture of machine guns for

non-military and law enforcement. Anti-gunners use the argument the

authors of the Constitution never envisioned full autos when they

wrote the Second Amendment. Well, they probably never thought about

radio, television and the Internet, either. Yet, no one would argue

the First Amendment does not protect these.

 

* In 1993, the Congress passed the Brady background registration

check. Now, citizens must go to the FBI to get permission to buy a

firearm. This is nothing less than turning our Second Amendment

"right" into a mere "privilege." Supporters of the

law try to make

it more palatable by pointing out that it is "instant" and

hardly an

inconvenience, as if expediency makes losing liberty acceptable.

 

* In 1996, the Congress passed the gun free zones law (prohibiting

firearms within 1,000 feet of any school property) and the

misdemeanor gun ban (lifetime gun ban for certain misdemeanor

convictions).

 

These are just some of the unconstitutional laws GOA would like to

repeal. GOA will also continue push for implementation of the armed

pilots program and to pass a lawsuit protection bill for the firearms

industry.

 

It is an ambitious agenda. How far we are able to move the ball in

our direction, however, depends entirely on the GOA membership. Many

gun owners mistakenly believe the battle is won in the election.

That is only half the battle. The harder work still lies before us.

 

Gun owners must stay engaged in the battle by calling, writing, and

e-mailing elected officials, urging them to roll back

unconstitutional gun laws. And we need you to stand with us.

 

Renew your GOA membership today at www.gunowners.org/ordergoamem.htm

-- and work together with the organization that Rep. Ron Paul calls

the "only no compromise gun lobby in Washington."

 

 

 

[Waffen Und Bier]

Thanks Greg.

 

No freeloader here. In the past, I have driven to Tallahassee (and brought a friend) and stood on the lawn of the Capitol waiving signs protesting the ban of "assault weapons." I've spoken up at AWB public hearings held by anti gun legislators from South Florida saying that I nor any officer I knew would enforce such laws. That endeared me to them for sure.

 

I speak at local schools supporting firearms ownership and educating students that MG's are legal (even displaying and demoing MG's on occasion). We're hoping to start a shooting team at a new high school when it opens (more students to introduce to MG's).

 

I have written and called my (and other) representatives telling them who I am, what I do and have asked for their support for gun rights including those of machine gun owners. I have spoken with them face to face at political meetings (and I never pass up the chance to speak with them when I meet with them while doing security for them or addressing them for other crime issues) and let it be known that the major police associations' leadership is out of touch with the real issues pertaining to gun control. They don't represent real police officers and that in my experience, the average street officer supports law abiding citizens' right to possess and use firearms.

 

I've signed off on a bunch of Form 4's and have helped to get fellow pro gun officials elected (through campaigning, voting, and public endorsements).

 

I have gone on record with the Florida Police Chief's Association saying that they should not support the ban renewal. I was overruled (and I'm sure gained more brownie points).

 

I do more than my part. I just chose not to belong to the NRA. If they get the machine gun ban overturned, I'll reconsider.

[TD.]

I have really enjoyed reading everyone’s posts on this thread. I can tell we are all very passionate about our Second Amendment gun ownership rights. I do agree the NRA has not “carried the ball” when it comes to NFA firearms. It is my hope this will slowly change with the association of the Thompson Collectors Association (TCA) with the NRA. I believe all the work put forth by Tracie Hill and others in the TCA will produce some benefit down the line for NFA owners. I have learned a lot on this thread. However, I still believe the NRA is the best game in town for gun owners. I am a competitive skeet shooter and will be the first to admit many in the shotgun sports do not belong to any gun organization. The guns they shoot are the “right” guns or non-controversial guns. Unfortunately, what the shot gunners don’t realize is the gun banners want to take everyone’s guns. The skeet, trap and sporting clays shotguns will have the honor of being the last ones banned (if they win).

 

Waffen, I applaud all your efforts. I too am very vocal about how all gun owners must stick together. And I think progress is being made. We all know gun owners had a big say in the outcome of the last two Presidential elections. It nearly kills the liberal media to even mention guns and gun owners in a broadcast http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif To that end I will offer you something to think about. I will join Gun Owners of America if you will rejoin the NRA. I know a year of reading what another pro-gun organization has to say will be beneficial to me. If it is as good as the e-mail alert Devlin posted, I will stay a member for many years to come. I also know the more members every pro-gun organization has is beneficial to all gun owners. What about it? Twelve issues of the American Rifleman should be enjoyable reading this next year. Seriously, thank you and everyone for your thoughts on this subject.

[Norm]

Just my opinion:

 

Reguardless of who is in the oval office, the senate, and/or the house of reps....

 

WE ALWAYS GET SCREWED!! http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/mad.gif

 

The only differenece is that some of them hit harder than others. We just have to choose the lesser of the two evils!

 

Norm

 

[21 smoker]

I am moved by these posts and have decided to become a life member in GOA and remain `lifer` in the NRA...I appreciate everyones input...excellent job Waffen,Lionhart...now is the time to close ranks and really push for some advancements in our cause...flush with the success of the election,I feel together we here can accomplish more in the next 4 years than the last 40.... http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/wink.gif

[Walter63a]

I can vouch for the GOA. I have been a member of the NRA for years. I have also been involved with GOA for about 2 years. Honestly, both organizations are important to the Second Amendment cause. The NRA has a larger membership, is longer established, more muscular, etc. However, the newer GOA is more agressive, more informative, as demonstrated by the email alert Devlin has so graciously taken the time to post, and, frankly, more eager to change the many unfair and unconstitutional inroads which have been made since 1934. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif 21 Smoker has got it right; we must all become involved with both organizations, if we are serious about retaining and restoring our Second Amendment, and God-given, "right to keep and bear arms." http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif We all need to write, call and email our representatives regularly, to bring change, in the arena of Second Amendment rights, to the forefront of the Republican agenda. Also, let's not take our eyes off the next major election, in 2006. Believe me, the Liberal Democrats are already thinking if ways to regain control of the Senate and the House in two years. Nancy Pelosi, (D) California, has the mistaken belief, which she stated on November 4, 2004, that the "Democrats have lost all that they can lose." Let's make it our mission to prove her wrong!! http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/cool.gif Regards, Walter