I Spoke With An ACLU Rep. Today

[CABilly]

I stopped by the MLK Jr. library in San Jose this afternoon and saw an ACLU booth so I decided to stop by. The guy sitting there was nice, in a sort of condescending manner. He gave me a little card with advice regarding LEO interactions. When I asked him what the local chapter's stance on the Second Amendment was, he said, (all quotes paraphrased) "I think we're very much in support of it." Alright! Then two shaggy guys walked by and he interrupted himself to holler at them. "Woah, you guys need these (police advice cards in hand)! I can tell just by looking at you" blah blah blah, I was brushed off.

Then his helper arrived, an attorney, I'm guessing. So I asked her the same question, and she sort of stiffened and asked "in what regard?" Well, in general. Would they take a 2A case? What is their official stance, and how would McDonald influence that? "Well, we do support and believe in the Second, but we feel the "well regulated militia" is the operative phrase. We don't base our stance on agreeing with what the Supreme Court says, necessarily. We'll agree that what they say is the law, but we hold our own viewpoints."

When I asked if, assuming incorporation post McDonald, the ACLU would take on more 2A cases, such as California's assault weapons ban, CCW, etc I got a sort of non-response. She said they all love sitting around and debating issues, but it takes an actionable case and they're more likely to take gun-related cases for their 4A merits, mostly. She then recommended I look up the chapter's website and blah blah blah for more information.

So I was a bit disappointed. Not surprised at all, mind you, just disappointed. It's not really fair to expect a surprise and be disappointed when you don't get one, but this is fairly new territory for them. Hopefully they'll come around. In the meantime, I'll steer my donations to CGF and NRA.

[CalNRA]

*shrug* no surprise there. I don't think anyone in their right mind thinks of ACLU when they want legislative cooperation to uphold the 2nd.

(I know there are state chapters that support 2nd, but supporting the 2nd in those states is like supporting abortion rights in Vermont-no brainer)

[CABilly]

*shrug* no surprise there. I don't think anyone in their right mind thinks of ACLU when they want legislative cooperation to uphold the 2nd.

(I know there are state chapters that support 2nd, but supporting the 2nd in those states is like supporting abortion rights in Vermont-no brainer)

I wouldn't want them steering the ship, but I think a pro-2A amicus from them would be an attention-getter.

[CalNRA]

I wouldn't want them steering the ship, but I think a pro-2A amicus from them would be an attention-getter.

that would be nice, wouldn't it?

[CABilly]

It sure would. I'd also like to see them on our side providing commentary at Public Safety Committee hearings, city council meetings, etc. I think they're an ally worthy of courting, simply because if they wind up getting solidly behind the 2A (as an INDIVIDUAL right), a lot of fence-sitters and ambivilants (new word, I like it) would probably come around to our side as well. The hard-core antis would be forced to question themselves and at least give some consideration to softening their stance, lest they appear outdated.

[putput]

Next time hold a $20 over the donation jar. The more you like the response, the more you move it closer to the jar. The less you like the response, the more you move it away. In this case, I'd have pocketed the money while saying, "maybe when you come around"...

[CaliforniaLiberal]

What did their police interaction cards say?

[.454]

ACLU stands for American Communist Liberties Union
Roger Baldwin the founder of ACLU wrote in 1935:

"I am for Socialism, disarmament and ultimately, for the abolishing of the State itself ... I seek the social ownership of property, the abolition of the propertied class and sole control of those who produce wealth. Communism is the goal."

Any other questions?

[oldrifle]

ACLU == All Causes Liberal Upheld!

Actually, I heard a rumor that CGF has been meeting with the ACLU for some possible joint efforts.

[hoffmang]

"Well, we do support and believe in the Second, but we feel the "well regulated militia" is the operative phrase. We don't base our stance on agreeing with what the Supreme Court says, necessarily. We'll agree that what they say is the law, but we hold our own viewpoints."

You should always ask this follow up question. "Well, since the Supreme Court ruled (maybe even incorrectly) that the 2A was an individual liberty and you're an organization that supports individual liberties, wouldn't you seek to expand individual liberty?"

-Gene

[Cool Hand Luke]

Why don't they just change their name to the ALLU(American Liberal Liberties Union) to better reflect their agenda. Spawned as the legal arm of the Communist Party, this should have been their title.

[N6ATF]

Next time hold a $20 over the donation jar. The more you like the response, the more you move it closer to the jar. The less you like the response, the more you move it away. In this case, I'd have pocketed the money while saying, "maybe when you come around"...

Hahaha.

[B Strong]

I was approached on the street by an ACLU outreach person, and when I inquired about Heller and their position on the Second Amendment, the gal essentially stopped listening, and went on to the next individual.

The day that the ACLU supports the Second Amendment with the same enthusiasm as they do the First and the Fifth Amendments, they'll have my support.

[B Strong]

Why don't they just change their name to the ALLU(American Liberal Liberties Union) to better reflect their agenda. Spawned as the legal arm of the Communist Party, this should have been their title.

My old man called them the American Criminal Lovers Union.

[tuolumnejim]

I wouldn't expect anything less from an elitist anti American socialist lobby. If I really tell you how I feel about them I'll probably get the hammer, because it won't be nice.