Love letter to the NRA

April 5, 2013

Pete EvansOPINION By PETE EVANS

Recently the United Nations, those black booted thugs the neo cons hate, passed an arms control treaty (opposed by the National Rifle Association and its selfish allies) in an attempt to manage the obscene weapons traffic over international borders. This huge business has brought unimaginable terror, misery and death to countless millions of people. We have a similar situation here at home to contend with.

For 50 years I’ve watched the gun lobby, led by the NRA, undermine Congressional legislation by frantic lobbying in order to make money from the fear it foments. I have watched in horror as first our defenseless people, including lots of children, are murdered by misdirected cowards and have then seen the merciless and fallacious cowardly NRA evade all responsibility and actually blame the sane minds in government and society of attempting to subvert the constitution.

Guns are everywhere. Many guns and bullets are not regulated and much of the feeble regulation in existence is not effective or enforced. “Until 2006, the president had the power to install a director of the firearms bureau without Congressional approval. But under pressure from gun lobbyists, Congress changed the law that year to require Senate confirmation. Since then, the Senate has failed to confirm any nominee by either President Bush or Mr. Obama as senators who support gun rights have used their powers to delay nomination votes; Mr. Jones is the bureau’s fifth acting director since 2006.” This has led to disorganized regulation and crippled law enforcement.

We all know which party is primarily responsible for reducing or eliminating any safety regulation in this country; they are the darlings of the gun lobby. All the biggest (in fact almost all) donations went to right wing republicans like Bachmann and Boner, though plenty of Dems have been stampeded by the virulent NRA as well.

There is only one exact similarity at all the gun crimes, suicides and accidents in this country or any other. Guns. Only guns. Often the gun is a killing machine such as auto loader long gun or hand gun with large magazine. Sometimes the killer is crazed (whatever that means), sometimes crazy (whatever that means), sometimes just frustrated (like the fruitcake that threatened to shoot anyone who came for his guns (his license to carry was promptly revoked)), sometimes the shooter is just emotionally distraught and the opportunity for disaster was nearby in the form of a gun.

We have all heard the tired old evasions from the NRA and it’s minions-“guns don’t kill, people do.” “Only the mentally ill and criminals kill people.”  “The second Amendment is sacred and gives us the right to have any armaments we want.”

What a load of bull. The liars that spew that line of junk are counting on the public to be dupes, and idiots. I challenge any reader: where would you cut off the weapons that civilians should be able to have? .22 single shot rifle, .303 Enfield deer rifle, BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle), bushmaster (semi automatic assault rifle with large magazine), 50 cal machine gun, RPG (rifle propelled grenade launcher- great for bringing down planes), bazooka, small anti tank gun, stinger missile, small helicopter gunship (with a lovely mini/gun of course), F-16 Fighter plane, light destroyer for your bathtub pleasure, aircraft carrier, nuclear sub- what? Where do you cut off the debate on our frantic right to have (thereby lose to theft by stranger or relative) killing machines without any training, license or sense? Wait, I forgot to offer Sherman tanks or Bradley fighting machines. Did I mention a small tactical nuke to take care of that nuisance liberal down the street? How about one of those for the little lady for Xmas? So far I have not heard of anyone on the crazy side who has ever been able, or willing, to answer that simple question, they just want their guns!!!

I think the little people, with perhaps a small appendage they hope to enhance by clinging to a large gun, are just too greedy to listen to any sensible response to a society gone nuts with violence and deadly weapons. All I ever hear is ‘me, me, me’ from the gun nuts when the subject of reasonable gun control is discussed. What a bunch of babies, can’t see beyond their crummy little shortsighted horizons.

What about Gabby Giffords and the others shot to pieces in Tucson? What about all the school kids shot in all those attacks from Columbine to Newtown? The moviegoers in Colorado? What about all the people standing in line in the post offices — former historical favorite place to murder a bunch of innocents? Those who would cling to their guns with ‘their cold, dead hands’ have no conscience; they are sociopaths who have no remorse, shame or guilt.

Like so many other public debates truth has become a stranger, this has degenerated to a simple power struggle between good and evil. I can only hope that for once, good may triumph. We must discover a way to get rid of the avalanche of guns and the idiotic attitudes that have clouded our judgment.

I would like to get in a comment about our sheriff, who has recently licked the ground our local tea party fanatics walk on by pledging to not enforce any federal gun control plan. Good work, top cop! Violate your oath, become a crook in one foolish step, endanger your deputies. It has been my impression that most responsible law enforcement historically favors getting the machine guns and armor piecing ammo) off the streets so that a few more cops will survive any altercations with angry civilians.

“There is no reason that a peaceful society based on the rule of law needs its citizenry armed with 30-round [ammunition] magazines,” states Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck during a March 2, 2011 news conference.” Such magazines transform a gun “into a weapon of mass death rather than a home protection-type device,” Beck notes.) July 13, 2009—After a birthday party shootout involving a semiautomatic AK-47 in which two young people were killed and 10 wounded, Miami Police Chief John Timoney tells ABC News, “For me it’s a no-brainer. These are weapons of war. Under no circumstance do they belong in the cities of America. Now police officers are facing—and citizens are facing—these assault weapons. If we don’t stop it now, what’s it going to look like 10 years from now? Rambo becomes reality.”

I’m so glad I voted for an honest sheriff candidate, a real man, Joe Cortez.

Recently that solidly American terrorist organization, the NRA, suggested in their latest evasion of the slightest responsibility in the carnage that teachers should be trained by the NRA to carry and operate weapons (New rep). What a joke, most teachers do not want that responsibility; they are teachers, not killers. But it led me to dream up a realistic compromise in this dysfunctional debate with mental midgets. What if the NRA (in league with the gummint) trained and licensed every gun owner in the land to safely own, protect and discharge a gun in an attempt to make sure all were mentally competent and emotionally secure enough to actually handle the great responsibility? Combine that with severe penalties for anyone in possession of a gun without said license. What about that, mister hot shot, gun-toting fire breathing gun lobby? Your goods, weapons and bullets, cost us billions each year, while you make billions in profits. Its time for you to get off the corporate welfare line and start paying your way. You are just another fat cat corporate thief feeding at the public trough- pay your way or get out of the way.

The NRA is even against background checks to make sure the absolute fruitcakes/criminals don’t get guns. It opposes ANY attempt to reduce the carnage; it is adamantly against any reform of our nightmare system. It opposes any research into the ramifications of all the unregulated guns in society. The NRA should be outlawed, for it is an outlaw organization. Many NRA members are law abiding, sensible and caring citizens. Many are not. The former should quit that outlaw group and form another with a heart.

I know many respondents will try to kick me into the middle of next week. I urge the sane readers to follow the lack of logic, lack of empathy for victims, and general lunacy of the landslide of vitriol that will spew forth from others. Some will say this message is too angry, too confrontational. Tell that to the parents, children, sisters, brothers and friends of those shot up by guns in our schools, theaters, homes, office buildings and streets. Someone out there come up with answers; I did, where’s yours?


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A superb explanation (by an ultra lefty) on why Obama, Biden, Feinstein & Company just got their backsides kicked while trying to foist more gun control on US citizens. This person is a superb writer:


http://kontradictions.wordpress.com/2013/04/20/dear-democratic-gun-control-lobby-how-to-get-better/#comment-2501Absolutely


Her article on “assault weapons” is also well worth reading:


http://kontradictions.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/why-not-renew-the-assault-weapons-ban-well-ill-tell-you/


Great articles! Thanks for sharing.


Stop beating the dead horse Pete. It is pathetic to watch you scramble to get in the last word in an attempt to justify your opinion. Judging by the “thumbs down” count you received here in the comments; you are a loser! Get over it already!


Really! I post articles from/about NRA members and supporters who now have gotten fed up with this ridiculous organization and people like you still want me to shut up. Just proves my point, most of my opponents are near brain dead, they cannot process any information that conflicts with their narrow selfish interests.


You’re a fool that made a horse’s ass out of himself. Your ignorance about firearms and your sickening hatred of the NRA is repugnant.


Just look at your original piece. Did you never learn how to organize your thoughts into an essay, are you just being lazy or do you simply lack the ability to think and write in a critical manner?


It really makes no difference because you and your septic position were exposed for what they are — garbage.


Wow Sam, are you off your meds again? Better chill out man. The tide is against you and your kind.


That’s all you have — ad hominem attacks.


As I said earlier you simply don’t pack the gear for this debate.


Take a look at the two articles I just posted. She (a lefty) gets the final word and you are left looking like the hateful fool with an axe to grind.


Enough already.


Pete, it’s time to close this segment out………good night


Please read this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/18/adolphus-busch-iv-nra_n_3112750.html

A major NRA Board member has something to say, quoted below.


“The NRA I see today has undermined the values upon which it was established,” wrote Busch. “Your current strategic focus clearly places priority on the needs of gun and ammunition manufacturers while disregarding the opinions of your 4 million individual members.”


Correction at the end of the article says Busch was not a board member but the comments are still crucial to read.


Today a majority of the the US Senate voted to support a majority of Americans in their quest for minimal gun control measures. A minority blocked that and we are back to slaughtering each others just like the NRA wants. Once again the gun industry thwarts the will of the people.


“The will of the people” ?????? Maybe your will, but not the majority of the people as even you stated. You talk (write) in circles. Perhaps that is one of the reasons you are a laughing stock. You wrote the article. Isnt that enough? Let the readers comment and stop trying to control the comments bogart.


All the public polls are with me, against you. See my post as of 9:36 pm on 4/18 for a truth maybe even you can understand. It is all about a major NRA Board member.


Do you make the comments you do out of actual ignorance or are you lying on purpose?


The Manchin-Toomey Amendment (background checks), the Grassley Amendment (background checks), the Collins-Leahy Amendment (straw purchases), the Cornyn Amendment (CCW reciprocity) and the Feinstein Amendment (modern sporting rifle ban) all failed by individual senate votes.


In other words a majority of senators voted against them! Do you understand that?


The Barrasso Amendment (gun owner privacy protection) and the Harkin-Alexander Amendment (funding for mental health programs) are slated to be voted on today (they ran out of time.) Both are probably moot as the parent bill will likely be pulled from the Senate Floor and tabled by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid after it was so thoroughly rejected by the Members of the US Senate who were casting the votes on behalf of their constituents.


It is remarkable how the anti-Second Amendment gun banners feel they can spew abject ignorance and lies, and those they view as the unwashed proletariat will simply accept them without question. It’s precisely that sort of behavior from people like Obama, Biden and Feinstein that doomed this bill from the very beginning.


You’re not fooling anyone.


Thoroughly rejected? You talk about lying, the pot calling the kettle black. The bill would have passed if a majority vote carried any weight. A minority killed it.


Like I said, and is evident, the caliber of the minds commenting here does not match the caliber of their guns.


Please stop lying. You’re looking more and more like a silly horse’s backside as you spew your hatred for the NRA.


Get over it already. No one is buying the crap that you’re trying to sell.


Copy away…


Thank you. Gun-related crime, in fact all violent crime is a very serious issue in today’s world. This situation is only going to be improved by serious people with a serious plan. Attacking the NRA and other forms of political grandstanding do nothing to help solve the problem.


…but what about their FEELINGS?! It makes them feel good… and superior, and… and… and attacking something OTHER than the problem helps direct all that bitterness many us seem to have.


CCN published this attack piece on the NRA ostensibly under the guise of ways to reduce gun-related crime. Instead of continuing to comment on this flawed and failed work, here is my own top ten list of recommendations as a outline for productively discussing ways in which to actually reduce gun-related crime in the US.


Rather than offer paragraph after paragraph of my own opinions, I offer this framework for honest discourse. There are a number of people who post on CCN that clearly have the ability to critique and add substantially to this list. I look forward to their input and I am more than prepared to defend my outline.


1.) Create a bipartisan, concrete set of constitutionally valid, effective and enforceable federal gun control laws that wholly supersedes the ineffective, often unconstitutional and potentially dangerous hodgepodge patchwork of 20,000+ existing federal, state and local gun laws. An update and consolidation of the National Firearms Act of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968 with the addition of background checks (without a national registry!) would largely accomplish this.


2.) Address and reform our country’s failed mental health care system. A very difficult, expensive and long-term process, but a most critical step in reducing gun-related crime.


3.) Prosecute all violent, gun-related crimes to the full extent of the law as defined in #1. Be brutal when it comes to sentencing those who use firearms in any criminal activity.


4.) Ensure states have the legal freedom and means to comply with all National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) reporting requirements. Once they do, assure continued compliance with these requirements.


5.) Prosecute or medically treat those who legitimately fail (convicted felons, fugitives from justice, adjudicated as insane, etc.) the NICS during the process of attempting to purchase a firearm. This is a felony and must be treated as one.


6.) Repeal the Gun Free School Zones Act of 1990. The de-facto killing fields must be eliminated.


7.) Work with government and the media to establish firm guidelines so any future gun-related criminals are not lionized in the press.


8.) Prepare and make widely available the different NRA Firearms Safety Programs for all citizens. Prepare and make available the NRA School Shield Safety Program to all schools. Require compulsory gun safety training in all levels of education. Dramatically increase the application of the NRA’s Eddie Eagle gun safety program into elementary schools. Legitimate school and firearms safety programs from other sources must also be welcomed and supported. Americans of all ages need to UNDERSTAND and RESPECT firearms rather than FEAR and LOATHE them — and the law-abiding people who legally own them. Federally fund the implementation of these security and safety programs. Help fund additional armed security in our schools.


9.) Federally license all US citizens who have completed a personal background check and an approved gun safety/use training program who desire to carry a concealed firearm in all 50 states.


10.) Direct the FBI to establish and maintain a database of stolen firearms and those which have been determined to have been used in committing a crime. Allow it to be directly accessible by the public with a contact number for each stolen firearm.


It’s high time that politicians and their minions stop attacking our constitutionally guaranteed right to keep and bear firearms by using the painful emotion that comes from standing on the graves of those tragically killed in heartbreaking massacres.


Gun control has proven itself to be ineffective time and time again. It’s a loser that continues to be resurrected by those wanting to make themselves feel better, by those wishing to show that they are “doing something” and simply for those seeking personal or political attention.


Gun-related crime is a very serious problem that will not be solved by sound bites nor will it be solved by attacking the NRA. There are no shortcuts, no silver bullets. Reducing gun-related crime will take a great deal of courage, effort and integrity, along with a steadfast commitment to invest in the safety of our citizenry and the future of our nation.


WOW!!! That was well thought out and written. The FIRST thing you did that I wish the writer of the opinion piece would have done is RESPECT opposing views and NOT belittle those you don’t agree with. You NAILED that in your second paragragh.


Next you laid out some VERY well thought out points. I really liked number seven. My dad and I were talking about that months back.


You make a point that the opinion writer doesn’t get. We CANNOT put the genie back in the bottle. Rather than run around like a five year old and having a tantrum, you present ways to proceed forward, that while it may not solve 100% (which is IMPOSSIBLE), it could greatly improve the problem.


Thanks again for this great post.


As the writer of the opinion article I applaud your well thought out and comprehensive suggestions. i agree with many of them in whole, some in part, and only a few not at all. With your ideas and those of others we ought to have an adult discussion of what seems to make sense and what doesn’t. My attack on the NRA stands since it has always opposed any reforms to reduce the carnage. Many individuals have the mental and emotional capacity to approach this growing problem with concern and compassion and I support their efforts. The ‘cold, dead hands’ dogma from Charlton Heston is the problem. Sensible approaches are the solution.


When I wrote: “there are a number of people who post on CCN that clearly have the ability to critique and add substantially to this list”, I wasn’t speaking to you Mr. Evans.


The content and form of your comments clearly show that you simply don’t pack the gear for a serious discussion on this topic. I am seeking discourse on how to actually reduce gun-related violence. You seek a stage in which to vilify the NRA while bringing self-indulgent attention to yourself.


I seek a safer society — I want fewer people to be the victims of gun-related crime. There are many challenges to overcome in order to realize this goal. They include people like you who deflect the focus away from real solutions with emotional and bigoted diatribes that do nothing to reduce gun-related crime.


Go find another cause, Mr. Evans. The issue of reducing gun-related crime is too important to allow people like you to further impede potential solutions.


I’ll second that!


well put.


Oh, well said, Sam! Well said, indeed!


Well said! Thanks for taking the time to write this. Would you mind if I copied and pasted this into a letter to our elected officials?


Copy away…