Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Washington Whispers: NRA to fight multi-rifle reporting.

Paul Bedard writes in US News:

Scoffing at the idea that Mexican drug lords will fill out federal gun purchase documents, the NRA tells Whispers that they are launching a legal offensive against a new rule requiring Southwest gun dealers to report sales of more than one semiautomatic rifle like the popular AK-47 target gun.

National Rifle Association officials say that the rule, from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, will be appealed the minute the agency sends the demand letters to dealers in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas regarding the sales of the weapons equipped with detachable magazines and capable of shooting a round larger than .22 caliber.

"The suit will be filed as soon as the first demand letters are sent by ATF," said the NRA in a statement to Whispers.

NRA officials see the new policy as the first step by the Obama administration to institute gun control following the tragic shooting in Tuscon, Arizona of Rep. Gabby Giffords and the slaying of a U.S. Border Patrol agent on the Arizona border. [See political cartoons about Obama.]

The NRA and congressional critics also see the new policy as a way to divert attention away from the "Fast and Furious" scandal, where ATF sought to track the flow of guns into Mexico by selling weapons to buyers linked with the drug cartels. Many of those have been lost and used in drug crimes.

In announcing the new policy, Deputy Attorney General James Cole said, "Federal, state and foreign law enforcement agencies have determined that certain types of semi-automatic rifles—greater than .22 caliber and with the ability to accept a detachable magazine—are highly sought after by dangerous drug trafficking organizations and frequently recovered at violent crime scenes near the Southwest Border."

Actually getting to the drug gangs and cartels by checking the sales of two or more semiautomatic rifles at Southwest gun stores is silly, said the NRA.

"The whole premise that a $40 billion trans-national criminal enterprise, that according to recent reports uses submarines to transport their cargo, will pay attention to a paperwork requirement, is preposterous. The real issue here is the abysmal lack of prosecutions of gun crimes by the Obama/Holder Justice Department. Their reluctance and/or inability to enforce existing gun laws undermines any request they have for new laws," the group argues.

Which is why they think it's a new bid at gun control. Backing up their concerns, the NRA put this statement on their lobbying website:

"As we pass the six-month anniversary of the tragic Tucson shooting, multiple press reports indicate the Obama administration is planning to unveil new, but unspecified, gun control initiatives.

"At a Thursday briefing, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said, 'As you know, the president directed the attorney general to form working groups with key stakeholders to identify common-sense measures that would improve Americans' safety and security while fully respecting Second Amendment rights. That process is well underway at the Department of Justice with stakeholders on all sides working through these complex issues. And we expect to have some more specific announcements in the near future.

"Carney provided no further details on the initiatives, but he isn't the only one saying something is in the works. According to a related article on NPR.org, U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) said, 'I have spoken to the president. He is with me on [gun control], and it's just going to be when that opportunity comes forward that we're going to be able to go forward.' And longtime anti-gun activist Sarah Brady has said that in March, the president told her 'I just want you to know that we are working on [gun control] ... We have to go through a few processes, but under the radar.'"

14 comments:

MamaLiberty said...

What makes any of the current gun "laws" any more moral or legal than the new ones proposed?

The NRA has been shafting us all with this "enforce existing laws" nonsense for a long time.

idahobob said...

Who really cares what the NRA does or does not do?

They have been compromising our God given rights to keep and bear arms for many, many, years.

ANYONE who supports them, is a fool.

Bob
III

Dennis308 said...

The nra is so evil don't they know gun-control is good for every body.

Every BODY that don't have GUNS that is. What I say is BRING IT ON MOTHER F--KER!
I'll see your gun-control and rase you 168gr.@ 27250f.p.s.

Dennis
III
Texas

MrJones said...

MamaLiberty and idahobob are both ignorant as hell.
NRA has done more than ANY organization to protect gun rights. Anyone who doubts that is an IGNORANT DUMBASS like bigmouth bob. Toughguy Dennis308 - it would take a SWAT team all of 30 seconds to fuck you up then stuff and cuff your ass into a squad car. You stupid sons of bitches are "3 percenters" alright - you're at the bottom 3 percent of the Bell Curve.

Anonymous said...

"168gr.@ 27250f.p.s."

Damn! What load are you using?

Dutchman6 said...

Uh, "Mr. Jones,"

You may count me in as an "ignorant dumbass" for the NRA has been complicit in every firearm restriction since the NFA of 1934. In fact, anyone who doesn't know that is himself an ignorant dumbass.

Anyone who is betting on your average SWAT team against a Three Percenter is risking their money. You see, most of us have thought through how to maintain situational awareness around our own homestead and how to best bust a stack if it ever becomes necessary.

Are you sure you've got the right blog?

Mike Vanderboegh

Dennis308 said...

41.3gr. of Varget slightly compressed through a 26in. tube.

And Mr. Jones come on down and find out for yourself or are you one of "THOSE" People that think that the Police are there to protect them. Laugh-out fu-king loud. Have seen that training and know its weaknesses.

Dennis
III
Texas

Oh Yea, If Ya want a Gun Rights Organization with Balls Join Gun Owners of America. I'm Still A endowment Member of nra(for the feminine side of me)and a Lifer G.O.A. Member for my MANLY side.

Dennis308 said...

Oh Yea Dutchman, I don't think your all that ignorant, Mr. Jones has that well covered. LOL

Dennis
III
Texas

Anonymous said...

Yeah, count me as a dumb ass too! I once belonged to the nra and over time realized that they were always calling for money but they were nowhere to be seen anytime something needed to be done, especially legally. But other less prominent and well financed organizations managed to show up and fight, but not the nra. They were always MIA. Although they did try to take credit for the work of others on serveral occassions.

Then there are the "compromises" they are always willing to make with our rights and actually supporting anti-gun politicians with endorsements and finances. They don't even represent "rifle" owners well anymore so why the hell would I give them a dime? Before you call somebody a name like dumbass you might want to shut your mouth and look and listen a little more, Mr.Fudd.

Mr Jones said...

Dutchman, to count yourself as a dumbass must be a burden.
You're spreading lies about the NRA, and to that end I'm calling you a goddamn liar.
If you want to change the politics of the country, you get involved. You don't form groups of kooks who threaten to start shooting at the drop of a hat.
You prey on the fears of people who feel powerless to affect their own future. You're a clever demagogue - nothing more. Your rhetoric will most likely help put you in prison one day, without a shot being fired. Then all of the mythical 3%'s will realize you were full of shit all along - a rabble rouser who stirred the pot for attention.
You're obviously an intelligent man Mr. Vanderboegh. The problem is you use that intelligence to manipulate those who aren't so intelligent. Have the last word sir, though I won't be back to read it.

Mark Matis said...

So is "Mr. Jones" on the NRA senior staff, or does he "oink?"

Dennis308 said...

No Mark, he just squeals like one.
Ya remember "Deliverance"
Dennis
III
Texas

Anonymous said...

The problem is you use that intelligence to manipulate those who aren't so intelligent.--Mr Jones

Something's going on here
but you don't know what it is
Do you, Mr. Jones?

--Ballad of a Thin Man, Bob Dylan

MALTHUS

Sorry Threepers, I could not resist. ;^)

otterhauser said...

"It's just going to be when that OPPORTUNITY COMES FORWARD that we'll go forward..." Yeah. TRANSLATION: The next nut who kills a bunch of people will give us the excuse we need to undermine the 2nd amendment.