What the NRA’s afraid of in studying the deadly impact of guns

[billh58]

The U.S ban on federal funding for gun-related research is a matter not of Second Amendment principle but of profits for the firearms industry.

To state the obvious, guns are inherently dangerous even when used lawfully. Also to state the obvious, American commerce includes the sale of many perilous products — for example, highly flammable or poisonous chemicals, cigarettes and even cars.

We accept that common things can sicken, maim and kill after balancing the risks and the rewards, and judging the tradeoff to be acceptable. At the same time, government, independent researchers and the best corporate citizens strive to lessen threats to public health.

Gun manufacturers and merchants are glaring exceptions, because they derive a significant share of their incomes by keeping deadly secrets and by telling bald-faced lies — if not in person, then through the National Rifle Association.

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/editorial-nra-afraid-article-1.2470920

ALEC/NRA/ILA and their supporters and apologists use the Second Amendment as a shield while wrapping themselves in the US flag for nothing more than profits. Guns are the only consumer products which are not uniformly regulated for safety and appropriate use.

The right-wing gun lobby has purchased enough politicians at all levels of government to make sure that nothing, including safety, will impede a newly manufactured gun's trip to the marketplace, and from there into the hands of almost anyone who can afford it.

As has been said elsewhere, the Second Amendment does not give us the right to kill each other, nor overthrow the US government. The right-wing misinterpretation of "the right to keep and bear arms" attempts to give legitimacy to both of these concepts.

Enough. Support the growing gun control movement and help to stop the madness.

[rock]

1. "... guns are inherently dangerous ..."

Their only function is to kill, oh yes, and to hammer nails.

[billh58]

2. The closing paragraph from the linked article:

"The NRA may be able to bully representatives in the halls of Congress, while Americans bury ever more bodies from gun violence. But they cannot be allowed to bury the truth."

[SunSeeker]

3. K & R

[liberal N proud]

4. They can't handle the truth!