Tuesday, July 13, 2010

The Latest Disclosure of Sellout from the National (Pistol?) Association. NRA tried to get rifles prohibited from national parks in the Coburn Bill.

No sellout of the NRA surprises me anymore. None. From RedState:

Shocking Emails Show National Rifle Association Worked to Prohibit Rifles From National Parks

What will they change their middle initial to now?


Posted by Erick Erickson

Tuesday, July 13th at 2:35PM EDT

You know things are bad for the National Rifle Association when it has to get the New York Times to run a puff piece on it.

But in their zeal to get a puff piece out there as well as their collaboration with the left on the DISCLOSE Act, the NRA has angered a number of people on Capitol Hill.

Shocking new e-mails obtained by RedState show that the National Rifle Association actively opposed and sought to undermine gun-rights legislation offered in the Senate by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK).

The New York Times article contains this paragraph:

With a push from the N.R.A., a popular bill last year restricting credit card lenders came with an odd add-on: It also allowed people to carry loaded guns in national parks.

This is referring to legislation by Senator Tom Coburn, which would have allowed rifles and pistols into national parks — legislation the NRA actively tried to undermine. In other words, in getting their puff piece written by the New York Times, the NRA is taking credit for things the NRA actively tried to stop. That is not the whole story.

A congressional aide tells me, “You’re absolutely right that many conservatives view the NRA as an organization that represents itself rather than the 2nd amendment. For instance, the NRA was livid when Senator Coburn introduced the guns in the park amendment without their permission. The NRA worked to undermine the amendment.”

Specifically, the NRA tried to weaken the guns in parks language working with House Democratic leadership (after it passed the Senate overwhelmingly). The Coburn language returned to the states complete authority to determine firearm possession laws in national parks and refuges. This change mirrored similar regulations governing firearm possession for the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. In some instances, this would result in park and refuge visitors being allowed to carry handguns and rifles in national parks. Ironically, the National “RIFLE” Association wanted to change it so that Coburn’s legislation did not include “rifles” or other long firearms.

Another source familiar with the behind the scenes machinations on the DC voting rights bill tells me that despite the claims in the New York Times article, “the NRA had nothing to do with the addition of the DC Gun language to the DC voting rights bill. Senator Ensign did not give the NRA a heads-up for fear that Reid would block the Amendment, because the NRA would have ratted Ensign out to Reid. They may have helped in the House to make sure the DC voting rights bill include gun rights language, yet they were not part of any pre-Amendment offering strategy sessions.”

Why? For fear that they would rat out the Republican effort to Harry Reid.

RedState has obtained a series of emails between the NRA and congressional aides wherein the NRA is clearly pushing for a Nancy Pelosi backed language to undermine Tom Coburn backed language. In the chain of emails, the NRA says it wants a House version because Senator Coburn’s would have unintended consequences. What were those unintended consequences?

From: NRA
To: Congressional Aide
Sent: Mon May 18, 2009
Subject: Re: Congress Poised to Restore Common Sense Second Amendment Rights

The Coburn amendment to H.R. 627 is open to criticism and potential problems since it is not limited to concealed firearms, or even concealable firearms. Rifles, shotguns, legally possessed machineguns or destructive devices, could all be carried if the person is not prohibited and the person complies with state law.

Two very important points to consider on the language:

1. Limiting to concealed handguns squares with the motive for the federal rule change to legalize self-defense in national parks and wildlife refuges - i.e. the growth of right to carry states.

2. Concealed (and therefore concealable) handguns are less likely than rifles or shotguns to be used for poaching - unlike in national forests and BLM lands where hunting is frequent and legal.


Note the NRA uses the words “destructive devices.”

Let’s ignore the fact that the inability to conceal a rifle might actually be of benefit to park rangers should poaching happen. Instead, let’s focus on the National Rifle Association trying to prohibit rifles from national parks.

What. The. Heck?

16 comments:

Brock Townsend said...

When the histories are written, “National Rifle Association” will be cross-referenced with “Judenrat.”

Couldn't say it better.

sofa said...

No
Rifle
Association

Parrothead Jeff said...

I've taken their link off my blog, automatically deleting their email, and forwarding their snail mail directly to the round file. Any more of this and I'll have to actively start working against them.
Despicable.

Anonymous said...

They're selling themselves out for power the same way the corporate media did...time to call Larry Pratt. I wonder if we'll see any interesting pictures on the JPFO website?

Dennis308 said...

I am not surprised,disapointed yes but not suprised.

Dennis
III
Texas

tom said...

If I'm going up against DG, I don't want a handgun unless it's a planned handgun hunt. It's a stupid way to go. .500 Alaskan Lever Gun trumps a Casull or .500 S&W with a stubby barrel ALL DAY LONG if a Bear is mad at you.

Brian K Miller said...

If we let them turn us against our most influential advocates, who will stand up to counter the gun-grabbing political elitists?

Seriously, can you not see what is happening? This campaign of anti-NRA publicity is playing right into the hands of Rep. McCarthy and her supporters.

The NRA is the 800-pound gorilla that no one in Congress dares to oppose. If you continue to believe the misinformation, distortions, and sometimes outright deceptions being propogated, the only thing you will achieve is to accelerate the country down the road to civil war.

Is the NRA perfect? Hell, no! Nothing in this world is perfect. They are still the single most effective consumer advocacy group in Washington, bar none. Undermining the NRA undermines all of us.

Continue pressing the NRA to support the agenda you want them to achieve, and be ever vigilant against the opposition's blatant attempts to discredit them and divide them from their members. Opposing the NRA is the job of the Brady Campaign. Why should we do the Brady's work for them?

Bradley said...

ignore the fact that the NRA supported the 68 GCA, the 86 FOPA, and the AWB! they are there to 'fight' for our rights. as long as that right is to target shoot or hunt. Fuckers!

Anonymous said...

They have endorsed EVERY fed anti law since and including nfa in 1934. Not to mention undercutting state groups on many occasions. They are on the other side, actively doing Brady's work while lying to you. Pay attention to the actions, not the claims. And yes I have a right to complain and criticize, have been a life member over 30 years, and have written many letters to no effect.

FSHB said...

Wayne La Pierre & Nancy Pelosi holding hands and chuckling together at the stupidity of the US population as they find new ways to rape us?

The NRA is intolerable.

Unknown said...

The NRA's problem (and I might be working there by the end of the year) is they have battered wife syndrome. Their default answer to everything is "Please don't hit me again!"

suek said...

Is there an alternative organization?

You've done some in depth articles on certain people in certain organizations...maybe you should do some on leaders of the NRA.

I'm convinced that _any_ group that wields political power will eventually be infiltrated by the Progressives. I don't know how you can keep them out, but obviously, they've managed to gain control of the NRA. If there's another organization that should be supported, you'll need to be aware that they too will be infiltrated as they gain power.

I don't know of a solution, other than watching for it, recognizing it and then calling them for it when it appears.

idahobob said...

Of course they did.

This band of traitors has been selling us out from the beginning.

Why ANY thinking person gives them ANY support or credence is beyond me.

Sigh.....

Bob
III

Anonymous said...

I completely agree with Greg. Greyhawk is a perfect example of the perfect American gun owner. Obey all the rules,pay all your taxes, support the NRA, you are now a perfect citizen. What more can you do for your country?
Suek, looking for an alternative org is also a cop out. They take your money, soon become a lobbyist group like the NRA, and it's just a matter of throwing words between lawyers again.
As many of us have said, the time for talking is over. Way beyond that. Since 1934 we've been backing up and giving in for what is our sacred right. Time to add the NRA to your list of things to do after TSHTF. Buy a few more FMJ stamps to send out later on your Christmas list.
Semper Fi,0321

Anonymous said...

Gun Owners of America. They are not huge like the NRA, but they listen and do have influence. I've been a member for several years. I also e-mailed NRA that if they dared to endorse Harry Reid, I would burn my membership card and they could kiss my a@@.

Maddie

Anonymous said...

GOA and JPFO, both no compromise, JPFO has a great site and resources.
http://jpfo.org/
http://gunowners.org/