hoffmang
07-28-2007, 6:54 AM
All,
Here is Rep McCarthy having to offer the same defense of the NICS improvement bill to the other side.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-carolyn-mccarthy/a-response-to-josh-sugarm_b_58113.html
Read the whole thing, but here is a very telling two paragraphs:
The author must also consider the political realities of Washington. Despite the efforts of Mr. Sugarmann and many others, the National Rifle Association still wields tremendous influence in the halls of Congress and their blessing is required for any bill that enforces or creates gun laws. This bill is the only vehicle that could have passed the House and ensured that hundreds of thousands of convicted felons, spousal abusers, and mentally ill individuals would be unable to purchase a gun legally. Will a few existing disqualified individuals slip through the cracks? Unfortunately, yes, but once this measure becomes law, fewer and fewer new offenders will be able to buy guns because of a NICS loophole.
In listing the three anti-gun violence organizations that have reservations about my bill, Mr. Sugarmann inadvertently addresses why the NRA has such power while the efforts of organizations working to prevent gun violence have been futile for close to a decade. The NRA is consolidated into a single cohesive unit, but the groups working for common sense gun laws are many and each possess their own agenda and points of view. Only when these groups join forces for common legislative goals will we be able to prevail not only in the halls of Congress, but in state legislatures and city halls across the country as well.
Do you notice that the reason they don't think the anti's are effective is because they're splintered? I'm not saying you need to agree with NRA, but I am saying that you need to understand how important being united is when faced with challenges from the other side. Better to publicly support NRA and privately work within NRA to challenge things you don't like.
-Gene
Here is Rep McCarthy having to offer the same defense of the NICS improvement bill to the other side.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-carolyn-mccarthy/a-response-to-josh-sugarm_b_58113.html
Read the whole thing, but here is a very telling two paragraphs:
The author must also consider the political realities of Washington. Despite the efforts of Mr. Sugarmann and many others, the National Rifle Association still wields tremendous influence in the halls of Congress and their blessing is required for any bill that enforces or creates gun laws. This bill is the only vehicle that could have passed the House and ensured that hundreds of thousands of convicted felons, spousal abusers, and mentally ill individuals would be unable to purchase a gun legally. Will a few existing disqualified individuals slip through the cracks? Unfortunately, yes, but once this measure becomes law, fewer and fewer new offenders will be able to buy guns because of a NICS loophole.
In listing the three anti-gun violence organizations that have reservations about my bill, Mr. Sugarmann inadvertently addresses why the NRA has such power while the efforts of organizations working to prevent gun violence have been futile for close to a decade. The NRA is consolidated into a single cohesive unit, but the groups working for common sense gun laws are many and each possess their own agenda and points of view. Only when these groups join forces for common legislative goals will we be able to prevail not only in the halls of Congress, but in state legislatures and city halls across the country as well.
Do you notice that the reason they don't think the anti's are effective is because they're splintered? I'm not saying you need to agree with NRA, but I am saying that you need to understand how important being united is when faced with challenges from the other side. Better to publicly support NRA and privately work within NRA to challenge things you don't like.
-Gene