Washington Whispers

Brady Center Gives Obama an F on Gun Control

By Paul Bedard

January 27, 2010 RSS Feed Print

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

President Obama's reign has been so good for the shoot-em-up crowd that the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence has given him an F for the year. "We have been very disappointed," says the group. Here's why: On 10 different fronts, the National Rifle Association has bested its foes with Democratic help. Among the NRA victories: Unloaded guns will be allowed in Amtrak luggage, and licensed arms will continue to be OK in public housing.

Tags:
NRA,
Barack Obama,
gun control and gun rights

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Ed of Tennessee and I no doubt would enjoy chatting about many things over a beer, but not about what I think of guns rampant in the U.S. No, siree, with Ed and his gun present the subject would be sports or the songbirds of Tennessee.

So let me tell YOU what I think about guns rampant in the U.S. Our failure to keep guns out of the wrong hands is and has been a huge problem resulting in too many deaths by shooting. Period. A national disgrace. Period.

How to keep guns out of the wrong hands? How to protect us all from an accident (or an intention) just waiting to happen any old time? The scare tactics of Wayne LaPierre, head of the NRA, are not the answer. (His latest letter to me soliciting my membership should be posted for all to see.) The failure to discern who should and who should not have a gun hasn't been and will never be the answer. And everyone packing heat just in case seems more like fuel on the fire to me.

Why my attitude? Maybe it's because I grew up in New York and never felt the need to own a gun--even to this day more than half a century later--that I resent having gun owners' rights trump mine to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness should some gun toter decide to end those rights. Maybe it's because I see a coarsening of what it means to be an American these days--uncivil discourse, me-first attitude, anti-government, anti-taxes, snarling indifference to civil duties like national service. Maybe it's because I'm saddened by America's role as supplier of firearms to places like Mexico, where slaughter by guns is every day our reward for free trade in a world that needs fewer guns, not more.

Back to Ed of Tennessee (and Wayne LaPierre for that matter). I respect your rights as you should respect mine. When and where do we talk over how to maintain yours while mine are maintained, too?

Ron W. Smith of UT 3:11PM January 30, 2010

"On 10 different fronts, the National Rifle Association has bested its foes with Democratic help."

Not quite. What happened is that those Democrats got a warning message from 3 different elections, that they'd best not push the envelope on gun control. It has nothing to do with politicians acting on their own initiative. Citizens in this country are fed up with government incompetence. That includes not feeling safe and secure in their homes or workplaces. Wake up, gun control lobby.

Anthony Spaltro of AZ 9:04PM January 28, 2010

I'm a Southerner, a Republican (although not a rich one) and a very proud member of the National Rifle Associaton. I'm also a retired USN Sailor, a Christian, and I've never beat my wife (or any woman) or son. I don't drive a big truck but do drive a twelve year old Jeep Grand Cherokee. Oh, and I donated the $250.00 "stimulus payment" the anointed one gave me to the NRA. I've also never been convicted of a crime.

Now that you know a bit about me let me add that I own some guns (how many is none of your business) and a lot of ammo (again, how much is none of your business.)

I don't hunt, I don't shoot competively and I'm not a gun collector. I have my guns and ammo because God grants me the right of self defense and because the Constitution guarantees me that right.

The God given right of self defense gives me the ability to protect me and mine from all intruders, whether crack head home invader, a liberal gun grabber or, and this is why the Founding Fathers included the Second Amendment, a corrupt and socialist government.

I've also got a carry permit issued by the state and I carry my weapon everywhere I go. Businesses that post "no gun" signs simply do not get my business.

Ed in Tennessee of TN 3:53PM January 28, 2010

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