[PV] Democrats, NRA Reach Deal on Background-Check Bill

[Prometheus]

Gun Owners of America
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102
Springfield, VA 22151
(703)321-8585

"The Gun Owners of America [has] already launched a public campaign to block the legislation that the NRA supports, warning that the proposal could 'block millions of additional, honest gun owners from buying firearms.'" -- Newsweek, April 24, 2007

ACTION:

1. It is imperative that you contact your Representative immediately and urge him to oppose the McCarthy/Dingell bill. A "compromise" [read: gun control] deal is in the works and all legislators -- especially those who are pro-gun -- need to hear from gun owners right away.

GOA members have received a mailing from us within the past week, asking them to send postcards to their U.S. Senators. It is IMPERATIVE that you mail those postcards in. We want to increase the heat on these legislators by deluging them with thousands of postcards. Now, once you've sent in those postcards, we would ask you to e-mail the specially-tailored message that is included below along with contact information.

2. Please circulate this alert to all your pro-gun friends and family, and encourage them to take action as well.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Anti-gun Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) continues his assault on American gun owners.
Dingell has been tapped by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to broker a compromise with Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) on H.R. 297, a gun control bill being pushed in the wake of the Virginia Tech shooting.
The bill provides about $1 billion to the states to "provide the National Instant Criminal Background Check System [NICS] with all records concerning persons who are prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm... regardless of the elapsed time since the disqualifying event."
As GOA has pointed out in previous alerts, this could lead to millions more Americans being included in the FBI's database of prohibited persons.
Dingell, being a former NRA board member, is in a unique position in the Congress on Second Amendment issues. Despite the fact that he betrayed gun owners by supporting the Clinton semi-auto ban, he is still viewed on the Hill as one of the few pro-gun Democrats.
So his support gives the bill the appearance of having the support of gun owners, when actually it is the most massive expansion of gun control in over a decade.
McCarthy, of course, is the most notorious anti-gunner in the Congress. Her sitting down with Dingell to decide the fate of our gun rights is like two foxes deciding how to best guard the henhouse.
To make matters worse, Dingell is in negotiations with the NRA to come up with a 'compromise' as quickly as possible.
The NRA itself told Newsweek in an exclusive interview on April 24 that the group "backs [the] proposed new legislation" in the House.
Newsweek reported, "The NRA's position puts the group at odds with the Gun Owners of America, which has already launched a public campaign to block the legislation that the NRA supports, warning that the proposal could 'block millions of additional, honest gun owners from buying firearms.'"
Politicians always seek to pass laws in the aftermath of a tragedy, as if one more law will stop evil people from doing evil deeds. Instead of passing more and more laws that ultimately will snuff out our liberty, we should consider repealing gun control laws that prevent citizens from defending themselves when a madman strikes.
CONTACT INFORMATION: You can visit the Gun Owners Legislative Action Center to send your Representative the pre-written e-mail message below. And, you can call your Representative at 202-225-3121 or toll-free at 1-877-762-8762.
----- Pre-written letter -----

Dear Representative:
Gun Owners of America informs me that H.R. 297, a colossal gun control bill, is on the fast track. I strongly urge you to oppose this bill.
The Virginia Tech tragedy, which Rep. Carolyn McCarthy is using to try to push this bill, highlights the failure, not success, of gun control.
Instead of passing yet more laws that restrict my Second Amendment rights, Congress should consider repealing the failed gun control laws already on the books -- laws that increasingly result in law-abiding adults being disarmed just when they need their guns the most.
Please oppose the McCarthy bill, H.R. 297, and let me know what you intend to do.
Sincerely,

[AZXD]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Yea, I thought I had heard something negative about this. Thanks for the reminder.

[beardman2]

I'll wait and see what the bill looks like. On the surface I don't see anything unconstitutional about this. However I'm confident in our government to come up with something before it gets to a vote!

[AZXD]

Originally Posted by beardman2

I'll wait and see what the bill looks like. On the surface I don't see anything unconstitutional about this. However I'm confident in our government to come up with something before it gets to a vote!

Agreed, by the time they get through with it, there will be something that goes against the Constitution.

[retired]

Currently background checks are only required when purchasing through a dealer, not for private sales.

Ed, I'm not sure if you are saying this occurs in your state or all states. If the latter, that would be incorrect in Ca. All gun sales in Ca., even private ones, have to be done thru a FFL holder and there is a backround check and a 10 day wait. There are some exceptions if family IIRC, but otherwise no. Just a fyi.

[AZXD]

Originally Posted by retired

Ed, I'm not sure if you are saying this occurs in your state or all states. If the latter, that would be incorrect in Ca. All gun sales in Ca., even private ones, have to be done thru a FFL holder and there is a backround check and a 10 day wait. There are some exceptions if family IIRC, but otherwise no. Just a fyi.

So I take it that an individual cannot give a gun away without an FFL.
No loopholes.
They want to track every firearm via papaer so they can more easily confiscate them.
Is that the idea?

[ArmyGuy45]

Originally Posted by AZXD

So I take it that an individual cannot give a gun away without an FFL.
No loopholes.
They want to track every firearm via papaer so they can more easily confiscate them.
Is that the idea?

Man.. ... i hope not... do they realize how much of a riot they would have on thier hands.. or should i say revolution

[tenring]

The NRA might be crazy like a fox on this one. Now they are on record publicly supporting "reasonable" gun control legislation, but can almost immediately pull their support once Carolyn and friends start adding their crazy amendments. They will most likely have to fight this bill, but get the political capital of saying they were for it.

[AZXD]

Originally Posted by tenring

The NRA might be crazy like a fox on this one. Now they are on record publicly supporting "reasonable" gun control legislation, but can almost immediately pull their support once Carolyn and friends start adding their crazy amendments. They will most likely have to fight this bill, but get the political capital of saying they were for it.

Yea, well they've always been willing to jump into the political foray.

[AZXD]

Originally Posted by ArmyGuy45

Man.. ... i hope not... do they realize how much of a riot they would have on thier hands.. or should i say revolution

I don't think anyone says it better than Wayne LaPierre at the NRA convention:

"What makes you think our government would ever try to confiscate your guns?" LaPierre asked. At this point, he was joined by a roaring chorus from the audience: "Remember New Orleans!"