NRA Seeks to End Some Hunting Closures (seek constitutional amendments)

[Khephra]

SPOKANE, Wash. -- The National Rifle Association will lobby for laws that would make it easier to hunt on public lands, the head of the group said.

"The decline in hunting is going to kill us," NRA president Kayne Robinson said Tuesday.

The "Free Hunter" campaign will push for laws that would streamline hunting regulations and make it more difficult to close public lands to motor vehicles, Robinson said. It will also seek constitutional amendments to make it harder to restrict hunting through citizen initiatives.

"A hunter shouldn't feel like he just left an IRS audit," Robinson said, speaking to a conference of outdoor writers and at a news conference.

more.................

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-brf-nra-hunting,0,2672548.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines

[Dover]

1. The GOP is so dependent on their support, they could very well

get this passed.

[gmoney]

2. NRA are such crybabies...

All they ever do is whine... almost as bad as fundies about how they're "persecuted" because they only get 99% of everything they want.

on edit:
www2.stopthenra.com/petition.html

[JayS]

19. What do you think of this?

Gun program is working, officials say
BY TIM ELFRINK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u_pg=1636&u_sid=1129203



Statistics released Monday show that a federally funded program to reduce gun violence in Omaha is working, officials said, though similar figures also show an increase in gang violence last year.

Felony gun assaults have dropped by 38 percent since March 2003, while federal prosecution for gun crime increased by 70 percent, officials said at a press conference Monday.

The program, Project Safe Neighborhoods, in February 2003 began distributing federal funding to create community initiatives, fund police operations and raise awareness of the consequences of gun crime.

*SNIP*

"Looking at our numbers this year, the stats are saying to us that we're starting to make inroads into combating gang violence," Jeanette said. Project Safe Neighborhoods is effective because it encourages state and federal courts to cooperate to find long sentences for gun-related crimes, Heavican said.

*SNIP*

In many cases, state courts do not have minimum sentences they must apply to cases involving illegal gun use, but federal courts do. By allowing a federal court to prosecute such a crime, a longer sentence can more consistently be applied.

*SNIP*

***********************************************


From: http://www.psn.gov/About.asp?section=34
FAQs
Q: What is Project Safe Neighborhoods?

A: Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nation-wide commitment to reduce gun violence by networking existing local programs that target gun crime and providing those programs with additional tools necessary to be successful. The goal is to take a hard line against gun criminals through every available means in an effort to make our streets and communities safer. Project Safe Neighborhoods seeks to achieve heightened coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement, with an emphasis on tactical intelligence gathering, more aggressive prosecutions, and enhanced accountability through performance measures. The offensive will be led by the newly appointed United States Attorney in each of the 94 federal judicial districts across America.

Q: How will Project Safe Neighborhoods be funded?

A: Project Safe Neighborhoods commits substantial resources -- $901 million over three years -- and state-of-the-art technology to address gun violence. This funding is being used to hire new federal and state prosecutors, support investigators, provide training, distribute gun lock safety kits, deter juvenile gun crime, and develop and promote community outreach efforts as well as to support other gun violence reduction strategies.

Q: How will each United States Attorney be involved in Project Safe Neighborhoods?

A: Each local program has been contoured to fit the unique gun crime problem in that district -- it is not a “one size fits all” program applied uniformly all across America. Each United States Attorney has convened all law enforcement participants in his or her community, has identified the most pressing crime problems, and is attacking those problems through aggressive prosecution and the use of newly developed gun intelligence-gathering systems.

Q: What is the difference between Project Safe Neighborhoods and programs like Project Exile?

A: Project Safe Neighborhoods expands on existing programs such as Project Exile (Richmond, VA) and Operation Ceasefire (Boston). Project Exile in Richmond focused gun prosecutions in federal court under federal law. Under Project Safe Neighborhoods, criminals who use guns will be prosecuted under federal, state, or local laws -- depending on where those laws are the toughest. Project Exile in Virginia coordinated resources statewide, while Project Safe Neighborhoods establishes a nation-wide network of programs linked by aggressive cooperation and information sharing.

[Frangible]

20. Not sure what the point of this is

Gun crime makes up some 20ish percent of violent felonies in the US, and crime is dropping everywhere, it would seem to me it'd be better to raise awareness of the consequences of ALL violence, including the other 80%, and not just blame inanimate objects. ALL violence, ALL homicides are bad, not just those committed with a gun that make up a minority of them.

[JayS]

22. I just saw that the poster had the usual anti-NRA stance and...

...I was curious what he/she thought of the new gun control measure that is in most states now.

I too would LOVE to see ALL forms of violence getting equal attention but I don't expect it to happen. Someone being beaten or stabbed to death is just not sexy enough to make the news all that often; violence by gun sells well and brings in the ad revenue.

[JayS]

25. Bump for a non-Fword post.

[struggle4progress]

3. And let's legalize hunting in the city!

Nothing says "Good morning" like the sound of neighbors shooting songbirds outside your apartment window.

[NickB79]

4. A lot of cities already have controlled hunts

A lot of people are less than thrilled with deer chewing down their landscaping and running in front of their cars, or geese turning parks into fecal slip-n-slides.

[struggle4progress]

5. Many cities I've lived in frown on discharge of firearms in city limits.

But I'm sure gun enthusiasts will be happy to explain why it would be entirely my fault if a neighbor shot me while plinging away at deer or geese.

[JayS]

40. No one would shoot you if...

...you didn't look so tasty. :)

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

9. It's legal to hunt moose within Fairbanks, Alaska city limits

if you use a bow-and-arrow.

At least that's what I was told by the bow hunters I passed during a walk thru town...

[madrchsod]

6. i live on the edge of town

where there must be a herd of at least 20+ deer. they have gotten so bad that the park board has allowed bow hunters several days to thin the herd. of course not much is done about the huge raccoons that inhabit the storm drains and other nooks in town. i have seen some that have to be well over 60 lbs.
if your going to hunt public lands-walk-that`s what real hunters do.

[JayS]

23. There are places here that are swarming with deer. They...

...have no concept of the car + road = splat equation. So much undergrowth in the woods has disappeared that song birds are somewhat rare. You are not supposed to bow hunt them but I know people that take the injured "townies" when they can. One guy I know got caught but nothing happened to him.

[Democat]

7. This isn't about hunting - this is about motor vehicles - why NRA?

They are trying to destroy the environment by opening up forests to motor vehicle traffic, not protect gun rights. This is bullshit.

Next they will be rallying against abortion or helping support the Patriot Act.

I thought they were a gun rights group?

[Mnemosyne]

8. Look forward to dodging bullets while you hike! n/t

[dusty64]

10. As usual the extreme right

and their minions won't be happy until they have 100 % of EVERYTHING. What about the danger firearms would pose to others taking part in peaceful activities? What about offering a refuge to wildlife? They want it ALL and they want it NOW, they'll get it from my cold dead hands.

[JayS]

12. The parks are closed during hunts. n/t

n/t

[llmart]

30. I live near a park

where there are "controlled" hunts and only part of it is closed during the hunts.

[JayS]

37. Yup, some parks do not close entirely. I should have been...

...more clear on that.

[llmart]

11. To quote Dick(head) Cheney.....

F... yourself, NRA. You're a dinosaur organization that will die slowly because the younger generation isn't interested in hunting. It'll be a grand day in the US of A when the NRA shrivels up and disappears.

[JayS]

13. Hunting is becoming a rich man's sport. Unless you own land...

...or can afford a lease or go on someone else's land, public hunts are the only thing left to those that don't have much money. I know folks here that rely on the public hunts for a good portion of their meat.

[RebelOne]

14. Well, in my opinion

all public lands should be closed to hunting.

[JayS]

15. Then how would you manage the wildlife population since...

...some species no longer have a meaningful predator population?

[SOS]

16. "The decline in hunting is going to kill us," NRA president ..said

No kidding. What an astute fellow. The fact is that the average American hunter is now 56 years old. Hunting is dying out in this country because young people aren't interested.

[JayS]

18. Young people are interested...just either can't afford it or find...

...that cars now park where people used to hunt.

[llmart]

31. I beg to differ with you.

Statistics show that the younger generation is not as interested in hunting as the older generation. Things change with every generation and this is one of them. You may know some young people that hunt - even I do - but don't allow your personal anecdotal information serve as factual statistics. I'm not trying to be insulting here; just stating the facts and the fact is that the younger generations are not that interested in hunting.

[JayS]

35. What region are you talking about? What are you basing...

...your statements on?

[yellowcanine]

17. Since when is the NRA about hunting? I thought it was about gun ownership.

Silly me. And how about this for overkill, so to speak?

"The decline in hunting is going to kill us," NRA president Kayne Robinson said Tuesday.

[kwolf68]

27. Come on

The NRA is not just about guns...they are about opposing legislation that treats animals humanely.

Please do some research on the "down-animal" bill debated in last years congress. This was a bill that promoted the idea that factory farms animals should not be skinned while being alive.

One of the groups opposed? THE NRA...Factory farming? Guns? Bullshit. This organization is challenging mans empathy and compassion toward animals. Their lifeblood relies on the slaugther of animals.

If people begin to think, "man, i know I eat cows... i have to live, but we should be more compassionate", then guess what? People would then look at trophy hunting/sport hunting- that has no viable purpose other than to eliminate strong genetics from a gene pool (and to boost the ego of some hapless human) - as an affront of a civilized society.

This is why the most right-wing Congressmen opposed "crush videos" which dipicted kittens, puppies, mice, birds, you name it...tortured to death on video. We outlawed this shit, but NOT WITHOUT strong opposition from representation from the likes of the NRA-types.

[JayS]

38. Geez...talk about off target! You have links to all this, right? :)

[Frangible]

21. What's the NRA smoking?

What does motor vehicle use have to do with hunting, really? Is walking more than 30 feet from your car to shoot something such a drag?

[Mountainman]

24. " I want to shoot something!" I use to live in Michigan

and every deer season houses and hunters and road signs and dogs and cats and cows all got shot up. I think there is this need to shoot something in some people. I knew guys in Vietnam that would shoot oxen and other domesticated animals because they didn't get a chance to shoot at anything all day.

I don't feel the need to hunt. It seems kind of out of place in this day and age. There are even hunting preserves where animals are fenced in a small area and they are flushed out so the "hunters" can shoot them. Some hunting places are called game preserves even though the game is killed. And when my dad belonged to a gun club were they had turkey shoots each year they called themselves conservationists.

My dad made me clean the game he brought home as a way to make a man out of me. It only made we hate hunting all the more.

On edit.
IRight now I'm wearing a t-shirt that has NRA in big letters and under that it says Non Responcible Adult. Some people smile when the see it, some don't.

I own guns but I would never join the NRA. I mostly target shoot and ocasionally have to shoot rattle snakes that get too close to the house for our safety.

[llmart]

34. I live in Michigan....

and every year during deer season our newspapers have articles about how the people who live in prime hunting areas fear for their children, dogs, themselves because some of the irresponsible hunters will shoot at anything that moves. Also, the newspapers carry articles every year about how the numbers of hunters are down - even the conservative, NRA-supporting papers print these articles with corresponding statistics.

[kwolf68]

26. The ever-increasing perversion of our public lands

Our national parks will soon be facilities for pure entertainment, whether being snowmobiles, ATVs, or people who like to slaugther wildlife.

What about the 300 million of us who visit these places every year with none of these intentions in mind?

[JayS]

28. Well, we have killed off the predators so now that job is up...

...to us. If you want to see a variety of wildlife in a healthy ecosystem, culling some species is part of the deal.

[alarimer]

29. In some parks

That may be true but I believe that hunting is not compatible with most other uses of parks, especially the most popular ones. Hunting is okay in places where it is very controlled (limited number of permits, plenty of wardens around to ensure no poaching, closing it to the rest of the public when hunting is going- so hunting would only be allowed during the week, rather than on the weekends, etc). Texas allows public hunting with permits and with those rules but it wouldn't be right to, for example, build roads into the parks so people could hunt. Some parks, like Yellowstone, have really benefited from the reintroduction of wolves. Maybe it is time to try that experiment at other parks. I also believe that it is important to limit all public access at certain parks where there is overcrowding (Yosemite for one).

[DoNotRefill]

32. Here, at least....

deer cause more damage to cars than drunk drivers. Of course, this is a pretty rural area. We had a 300 pound black bear wander into a hospital locally a few days ago. It was pretty funny....they had security camera video of the bear just mosieing along through the hospital lobby and towards the elevators, where there were a bunch of people...

I like wildlife. Right up to the point it starts killing people. Culling the herd in suburban areas isn't a bad idea. And if you hunt properly (ie use a shotgun where appropriate), it's not dangerous at all to neighbors, since the projectiles don't travel far at all.

[Columbia]

33. We are the natural predator for many species

And it's been that way for tens of thousands of years. Hunting actually brings about more of a balanced ecosystem than not.

Not only that, but hunters pay for a considerable amount of conservation as well. It is in their best interests (and ours) to maintain a healthy environment.

[booley]

36. actually I see a few problems with that anology

For one thing, it's not that we have wiped al the predators off the face of the planet.

Wolf introduction actually works quite well (despite what a lot of ranchers and media want you to beleive, in areas where wolves were re-introduced the vast majority of cattle attacks still came from feral dogs and coyotes), and we got bears and of course, COYOTES which are so abundent that they need thier hunting season to cul them off.

NOW, you are right that hunters do help reduce numbers and do help with conservation (well, most of them , anyway) Our national park system was created by a hunter after all.

But there is a down side to that that is so long range that I think most miss it.

When a wolf pack goes after a deer, they look for the weakest, ugliest, most shit poor excsue they can find. becuase they know that such a deer is ahell lot mor elikly to get caught then that young buck with all the right genetic advantages. Most predators fail in thier hunts more often then not, after all. A hunt by predators for food strengthens the gene pool of both hunter and hunted.

BUT I know a few hunters and they aren't looking for the ugly deer to kill. Maybe if one comes by, sure. But the ugly deer isn't the "prize". it's that young buck, the one that will make a great trophy. becase when you have a gun, genetic advantages don't mean diddly. (assuming we don't have superhuman mutant deer, of course). So int he long run, hunting only reduces the number so deer without helping to strengthn the gene pool . No amount of natural selection is going to stop a bullet, after all.
And certainly hunting with a gun doesn't seem to confer any kind of toughening to the hunter. Not with all the beer I've seen some of them drink. if they don't bag anything, all theygot to do is go to the super market.

Yes, we can still allow hunting by people. but we need natural predation even more if we want to keep ecosystems healthy. otherwise we are only addressing the obviouse symptom.

[alarimer]

39. true

In many state hunters and fishers pay for the bulk of wildlife research through excise taxes on equipment and fuels. Obviously this funding system tends to overemphasize those species which are exploited in some way at the expense of, say, endangered or threatened species, and it tends to leave out those people who still use parks and public spaces in an non-consumptive way. And it means that people who work for those agencies cater to the NRAs and CCA (Coastal Conservation Association- they are really a fishing group- not so much about conservation really but I digress), creating potential conflicts of interest for biologists and policy makers and leaving out others.
I do have to say that wildlife watching and birdwatching are growing in popularity much faster than either hunting of fishing. What that means for agencies who are supported by hunting and fishing (and not by birdwatching) is not good. Demographic trends and competition with other activities, as well as lack of opportunities to hunt are reducing the hunting population. It is also having an impact on fishing but not as drastically. I HATE, HATE, HATE the NRA but they are correct in that hunting is an activity with fewer and fewer participants. I don't believe tha answer is to build roads into National Parks or Forests or whatever so people can hunt. There are other ways of getting/keeping people interested. Hunting is an important aspect of wildlife management.
Most hunters I know are conservationists. It is not an activity I wish to participate in myself but I don't have anything in particular against it. I think it is very sad to see starving deer. Unfortunately we have moved into their areas. I think the real key to saving wildlife is limiting the human population. There are just way too many of us and not enough wild spaces where animals can just be animals.