As we’ve all heard, America has been struck by a terrible tragedy in Aurora, Colorado, where a crazed individual shot up a movie theater playing the midnight premiere for Dark Knight Rises; killing 12 and leaving 59 injured.
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But even with all the mass noise and uproar heard around the country regarding gun control, there has been near silence in Washington D.C. The reason is that the NRA-ILA or National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action is considered to be the most influential lobbyist group in the United States.
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Politicians fear the NRA’s history of success at winning in D.C., and their ability to influence elections and jobs. The issue of control has almost become a seemingly taboo subject in politics.
However, the Aurora shooting has forced President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney to discuss the topic, even though Congress has been accused of avoiding the issue.
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Obama came forth to say that a mentally unstable person should not have access to such weapons and that AK-47s belong in the hands of soldiers and not on the streets. He also acknowledged the Second Amendment, hunting, shooting, and gun-ownership as being a rich part of American history. So this isn’t exactly laying down the hammer on the NRA as much as it’s just pointing out common sense without offending the NRA.
Mitt Romney has also come forth to say that he’ll support the rights of hunters, the Second Amendment, etc. The LA Times posted an informative article this morning discussing Romney/Obama’s approach in responding to the gun-control question stemming from the Aurora shooting.
One thing for sure is that the NRA, with its 4 million members and $220 million annual budget, has held Congress’ b*lls in a vice. It’s important to know why that is, or at least understand the mentality of the NRA. So here’s a list comprised of why the NRA is so powerful and some NRA opinions on gun control to go along with it.
-Definitely check out the video. According to some comments, it was made by a “liberal d*****bag,” but draw your own opinion.
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Charlton Heston’s “My Cold Dead Hands” Speech:
The late Charlton Heston, who was the voice of the NRA until his death in 2008, made his famous speech at the 129th NRA Convention. It symbolizes the group’s passion for their stance on gun control. Their strong-minded attitudes make them a force to be reckoned with.
By the way, fast forward to 2:09 to see Heston say the “cold dead hands” line.
Here’s a segment of the speech:
“For the next six months, Al Gore is going to smear you as the enemy. He will slander you as gun-toting, knuckle-dragging, bloodthirsty maniacs who stand in the way of a safer America. Will you remain silent? I will not remain silent. If we are going to stop this, then it is vital to every law-abiding gun owner in America to register to vote and show up at the polls on Election Day.”
So, as we set out this year to defeat the divisive forces that would take freedom away, I want to say those fighting words for everyone within the sound of my voice to hear and to heed, and especially for you, Mr. Gore: ‘From my cold, dead hands!”[pagebreak]
1994:
In the 1994 election, the NRA is often credited with defeating Congressmen Jack Brooks and Tom Foley, who was the first speaker of the House to lose reelection since 1862.
What happened in 1994 is what many politicians remember when dealing with gun control. They know that the NRA is relentless and effective, and their position in office can be dictated by what the NRA thinks of them.
Bill Clinton wrote on the matter saying:
“The NRA had a great night. They beat both Speaker Tom Foley and Jack Brooks, two of the ablest members of Congress, who had warned me this would happen. Foley was the first Speaker to be defeated in more than a century. Jack Brooks had supported the NRA for years and had led the fight against the assault weapons ban in the House, but as chairman of the Judiciary Committee he had voted for the overall crime bill even after the ban was put into it. The NRA was an unforgiving master: one strike and you’re out. The gun lobby claimed to have defeated nineteen of the twenty-four members on its hit list. They did at least that much damage and could rightly claim to have made Gingrich the House Speaker.”
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Chuck Norris On Gun-Control:
Watch this video supported by the NRA that uses Chuck Norris as an endorser and promoter of Second Amendment rights. Support for the NRA’s cause is overwhelming, especially in the South where taking away someone’s gun is like taking away a teenager’s cell phone.
The supporters of the NRA take their gun-ownership rights to the grave, hence the term “cold dead hands.” With a group with such a strong opinion on one issue, any move by a politician limiting their gun rights is an automatic elimination from 4 million potential voters. And you know with a group so passionate, nearly all of them will vote when their Second Amendment rights are even remotely at risk. Fellow Americans, no matter what your stance is, should learn from and respect the NRA for its dedication, which has given it such a strong hold over politics.
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Historical Significance Of The Second Amendment:
Ron Paul discusses the origins of the Second Amendment and why it’s so important in American history. Although times have changed so much since the Bill of Rights was created in 1789, today’s politicians are still hesitant to dramatically change a significant piece of what the United States bases its foundations upon.
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This Is What NRA Supporters Believe The Second Amendment Is For:
The video shows how civilians and local militia’s right to bear arms is intended for citizens to protect themselves from government’s abuse of power.
Their point is hard to argue, although it seems that just as many, if not more, innocent lives have been taken than saved by using guns for self-protection. But you be the judge of that, and remember how everyday innocent children find their parents’ guns, lives are taken in cross-fires, and deranged maniacs are buying assault weapons and thousands of rounds online or from Walmart.
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It’s Simple:
Everything the NRA does comes down to one point; pro-gun or anti-gun. So their 4 million members and $220 million annual budget all lobby and support politicians that are most in their favor – giving politicians on their side a sizeable group of voters.
Any anti-gun laws restrict gun sales, which is bad for the NRA. So any limits on guns is in turn, bad for the NRA. When their rights are threatened they have been extremely effective in creating an uproar, which has given them success in Washington.
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Uncompromising Stubbornness:
The NRA believes in suggestions that all teachers carry guns in order to prevent school shootings. They proposed this on March 25, 2005. They will respond to incidents such as school shootings with solutions defending their rights, no matter how crazy they sound.
The NRA simply will not back down from the issues. The attitude did not change after Columbine, Virginia Tech, and it still won’t matter now after the Aurora shooting. That’s how they roll. Who knows what it would take to change their minds.
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They “Stand Their Ground” For “Self Defense”:
These views are the NRA’s bread and butter. And we all know how controversial and deadly they are; think back to the shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman, who was simply “standing his ground.”
Whether Zimmerman is full of sh*t or not, NUMBERS DO NOT LIE! The United States ranks first in gun-related civilian deaths by a wide margin. We have the most guns and the weakest gun laws, compared to every other democracy. Doesn’t matter if you support the Second Amendment or not, it’s clear that change is needed. The Bill of Rights was made to protect Americans, not make it easier to kill each other.
