How the NRA Defeats National Tragedies (Dave Weigel)

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http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2012/12/nra_and_gun_control_the_national_rifle_association_scares_its_members_into.html

First it scares people into thinking the government is coming for their guns. Then it quietly asks the public to pray for the victims of the next rampage.

You might think that “spokesman for the National Rifle Association” is the toughest job in PR. You might be wrong. At least once a year, and several times in bad years, reporters reach out to the NRA’s Andrew Arulanandam and ask him whether the gun lobby has anything to say about the latest massacre. Arulanandam says basically the same thing, every time.

After the April 16, 2007, Virginia Tech shootings that killed 32 people: “The NRA joins the entire country in expressing our deepest condolences to the families of Virginia Tech University and everyone else affected by this horrible tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.”

After the Feb. 14, 2008, shootings at Northern Illinois University that killed six: “We think it is poor form for a politician or a special interest group to try to push a legislative agenda on the back of any tragedy. Now is the time for the Northern Illinois University community to grieve and to heal. We believe there is adequate time down the road to debate policy and politics."

After the April 3, 2009, massacre at a Binghamton, N.Y., immigration center that killed 13: “Now is not the time to debate politics or discuss policy. It's time for the families and communities to grieve.”

After the Jan. 8, 2011, shooting spree that wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and killed six: “At this time, anything other than prayers for the victims and their families would be inappropriate.”

After the July 20, 2012, massacre at an Aurora, Colo., theater that left 12 dead and 58 wounded: “We believe that now is the time for families to grieve and for the community to heal. There will be an appropriate time down the road to engage in political and policy discussions.”

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[bettyellen]

1. Kickity kick. Good read!

[cbrer]

2. Disingeuous at best

Both our political parties decisions are based at least partially on the money they recieve from the NRA.

AND if the NRA spokesman was handing out any different statements than the ones issued, we'd be discussing their heartless, cruel nature.

The discussion of guns in America is past overdue, the bloody trail that guns have permanently etched in our history has gone unaltered, and unchallenged for way too long. Each and every citizen that's been in agreement, or at least acquiescent to the point of inaction, SHARES in our collective history.

The question becomes: What will the future be?

[Brigid]

3. Screw the NRA.

It is time for discussions about gun control NOW.

[Throckmorton]

4. The tragedies come fast and thick,

more soul impailed on the pike of anti-government paranoia. I needs me guns to fights off them govmint blak hell-lee-chopters.

[ROBROX]

5. ANOTHER PUPPET MASTER PULLING STRINGS

These people are part of the MIC (military industrial complex) which promotes war and other things which harm society. Now they take a page out of 1984 to DISTRACT people to prevent REGULATION which ALL GOP members hate. They hate anything which can be good for society and bad for their BUSINESSES.

This veteran gun & rifle owner knows....

[Sarah Ibarruri]

6. I don't even get that kind of thinking

Why would anyone be SCARED of not having a gun? What kind of fucked up thinking is that? Actually, what kind of fucked up thinking is it that a gun is needed????

[MinM]

7. Troy man, 18, sues over arrest for carrying rifle in Birmingham

This is from a few months ago...

Chris Combs of Troy, left, and Stephanie Locke of Clawson cross the street at Old Woodward and Maple in downtown Birmingham during a protest by gun enthusiasts in support of 18-year-old Sean Michael Combs of Troy on Monday, June 11, 2012. Combs was arrested in April in Birmingham while carrying a rifle. (David Guralnick / The Detroit News)


October 17, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Troy man, 18, sues over arrest for carrying rifle in Birmingham

By Mike Martindale
The Detroit News
17 Comments


Detroit — An 18-year-old Troy man has sued Birmingham and its police department in U.S. District Court, alleging his civil rights were violated when he was arrested in April while walking in the city's business district with a vintage rifle slung over his back.

Sean Combs was arrested when he failed to give police identification as officers requested, drawing a crowd of teenagers. He was tried and acquitted on charges of brandishing a firearm and disturbing the peace in July; a judge dismissed a charge of resisting and obstructing a police officer.

Police explained at a subsequent district court hearing that they were concerned about him carrying a weapon in a public place, that Combs appeared young for his age, and officers wanted to verify whether it was legal for him to be carrying the weapon.

Combs, who was accompanied by his girlfriend, responded he was exercising his Second Amendment right to bear arms.

Despite seeing his driver's license and confirming his age, police arrested Combs...

The lawsuit, which seeks in excess of $75,000 in damages, claims false arrest, false imprisonment and several violations of his civil rights in openly carrying the rifle. The lawsuit alleges Combs has been traumatized by the incident, and that it has damaged his reputation.

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From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121017/METRO02/210170417