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NRA Claims Neutrality
on by Angel Shamaya April 24, 2002 The National Rifle Association is
claiming that they are neither for nor against H.R. 218 -- the federal
legislation that grants law enforcement officers exemptions from the concealed
carry laws of all fifty states (a.k.a. Cops-Only
CCW) while those same laws continue to be enforced against The People. As
their claim suggests my recent
report regarding this legislation is therefore inaccurate, I feel it
necessary to respond. Following are copies of emails where
they make this claim. From: John Doe Do not support H.R. 218 !! From: ILA-Contact ILA-Contact@nrahq.org
Thank you for contacting NRA-ILA. With regard to your concern over NRA's
position on H.R. 218, the Community Protection Act of 2001, please know that
NRA remains neutral with regard to this legislation, as we support a national
standard for Right-to-Carry reciprocity for all law abiding citizens. We will,
however, be happy to pass along your concerns. Sincerely, Rebecca A. Williams From: John Doe It's this kind of sellout that is making me consider
switching my membership
to the GOA. From: ILA-Contact ILA-Contact@nrahq.org
To what "sellout" are you referring? As stated, NRA remains
neutral on H.R. 218, so any information you may have received stating
otherwise is simply wrong. How does this constitute a "sellout"? Sincerely, Anthony Roulette Following are a few facts to consider. 1) The Law Enforcement Alliance of
America was created by and is funded in part by the National Rifle
Association. One Founder of LEAA says as much as $4,000,000 of NRA's money has
gone into LEAA's hands. And LEAA drafted the bill, is the primary mover
and shaker of the bill and is actively and aggressively promoting it. Are we to believe that NRA has no control
whatsoever over what LEAA does? 2) Two NRA Directors, as U.S. Representatives, are co-sponsors
of the bill: Yes, NRA can tell us that their Directors are out of control and that what
they do in their official capacities to support an unconstitutional gun-related
bill doesn't mean NRA supports it, but their saying so appears to merely be a pose to help
maintain plausible deniability of NRA's effective support of the bill. That
NRA would claim neutrality while their two U.S. Rep. Directors openly support
the bill is rather strange -- any thinking gun owner would question it. 3) NRA came out with a published statement saying the Fraternal Order
of Police supports the bill on the same day LEAA ran a USNewswire press
release saying the bill should be passed to honor fallen cops in the World
Trade Center attacks. Shall we call that a mere coincidence, too? CONCLUSION NRA does indeed support H.R. 218 -- they just
don't come out and openly endorse it. (They don't need to; their law
enforcement subsidiary does it for them, and their Directors do it for them,
too.) And it's not enough for NRA
management to stay neutral for plausible deniability while their LEO front group promotes a bad gun law. NRA must oppose H.R.218
-- as many gun rights groups and leaders have
done -- and
lean on LEAA to stop supporting it, or be held responsible for effectively
supporting the bill. Besides, as the largest self-styled gun rights
group, NRA has a moral duty to take a position on all gun-related bills -- at
least insofar as making a statement of support or opposition -- and H.R.218 is an
unconstitutional bill that is wrought with problems for gun rights and liberty.
Why wouldn't NRA have an official position? But let's for a moment assume that NRA's assertion of neutrality is accurate and honest.
Perhaps Mr. Roulette wouldn't mind answering just one
question: What possible excuse
can NRA offer as to why they are allegedly "neutral"? If we are able to obtain an answer
to that question, we will gladly share it with our members and visitors. Related Reading Special
Exemptions for Cops? |
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