Disaster Can’t Destroy Gun Rights...The NRA Takes a Stand

[XavierBreath]

Disaster Can’t Destroy Gun Rights

Monday, September 12, 2005


National Rifle Association leader Wayne LaPierre slammed New Orleans authorities Monday for seizing legal firearms from lawful residents.

"What we’ve seen in Louisiana - the breakdown of law and order in the aftermath of disaster - is exactly the kind of situation where the Second Amendment was intended to allow citizens to protect themselves, " LaPierre said.

"When law enforcement isn’t available, Americans turn to the one right that protects all the others - the right to keep and bear arms," LaPierre said. "This attempt to repeal the Second Amendment should be condemned."

The New York Times reported last Thursday that no civilians in New Orleans will be allowed to have guns, quoting the superintendent of police that "only law enforcement are allowed to have weapons."

A Louisiana state statute allows the chief law enforcement officer to "regulate possession" of firearms during declared emergencies. "But regulate doesn’t mean confiscate," said Chris W. Cox, the NRA’s chief lobbyist.

"Authorities are using that statute to do what the looters and criminals could not: disarm the law-abiding citizens of New Orleans trying to protect their homes and families," Cox said.

"The NRA will not stand idly by while guns are confiscated from law-abiding people who’re trying to defend themselves," he said.

"We’re exploring every legal option available to protect the rights of lawful people in New Orleans," Cox said, "and we’re taking steps to overturn such laws in every state where they exist."

"Local authorities in New Orleans are turning nature’s assault on human life into man’s assault on human rights," LaPierre said. "Four million NRA members intend to stop this unconstitutional power grab."

Link

 

[Rich Lucibella]

Great response from the NRA. Sometimes they go too far; sometimes not far enough. This time, I'd say right on the money.
Rich

 

[XavierBreath]

I see the NRA also has a link up to Dave Kopel's article now.

I assume that means they endorse the article.

 

[QuickTrig]

Wow I was holding my breath and turning blue waiting on a response from the NRA about this....glad its out and action is being taken...

 

[IZinterrogator]

In a previous NRA vs. GOA thread, the GOA response seemed to be a lot of blustering and condemnation, with demands for investigation, but no concrete action on the part of the group.

"The NRA will not stand idly by while guns are confiscated from law-abiding people who’re trying to defend themselves," he said.

"We’re exploring every legal option available to protect the rights of lawful people in New Orleans," Cox said, "and we’re taking steps to overturn such laws in every state where they exist."

That is action. Measured action taken after an analysis of the situation. Not a knee-jerk response with no bite and just bark. We'll get farther with the NRA response than we will with GOA demands, or CCRKBA demands, for that matter:

CCRKBA CALLS FOR FEDERAL INVESTIGATION, ACCOUNTING ON NEW ORLEANS GUN SEIZURES
BELLEVUE, WA – Following low-key inquiries that were met with stony silence and official indifference, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) today is calling for a federal investigation into reports of gun seizures from law-abiding New Orleans residents, and is demanding that officials there immediately account for all confiscated firearms.

CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb is also demanding that New Orleans police officials immediately stop the seizures, disclose where those firearms are being kept, how they are secured, the type and number of firearms involved, and how those guns will be promptly returned to their rightful owners, in the condition in which they were originally taken.

"I also want to know under just what authority New Orleans officials are confiscating lawfully-owned firearms from law-abiding citizens," Gottlieb said. "Where does it say that the state and federal Constitution can be nullified, even briefly, simply because of a hurricane? In every other natural disaster this country has ever faced, people retain their civil rights, including the right of self-defense, but New Orleans and Louisiana state officials have added the sin of arrogance to incompetence and negligence for which they must be held accountable when this is over."

Gun rights activists have been outraged by a film clip showing a police officer tackling an elderly woman who was armed, in her own home, and later removing her from the premises.

"We know this is only one incident that is being replayed incessantly, and that not all the circumstances are known," said CCRKBA Executive Director Joe Waldron, "but this incident, combined with statements by local officials, particularly Police Superintendent P. Edwin Compass III, that nobody but police will be allowed to have guns, demands a full and complete explanation to the American public. Visiting police and National Guardsmen are in New Orleans to help hurricane victims, and the nation is grateful beyond words. You don't help people by violating their civil rights or the public trust."

"There are reports that residents who refuse to leave are being disarmed, anyway," Gottlieb added, "leaving them to the mercy of any lingering looters and thugs. If true, it is unconscionable. In the anarchy that reigned in the city for days, these armed citizens provided the only protection for their families, businesses and neighborhoods when many police walked off their jobs, and a few even participated in the looting, and the world knows it. The people responsible for making that decision should be immediately disciplined and relieved of command. Visiting officers from other jurisdictions involved in these confiscations should be immediately sent home.

"New Orleans is still part of the United States, not a police state," Gottlieb concluded.

So what did they do? Make some low-level inquiries. What are they demanding? That others do the work for them. The authorities in question have too much to do right now to open investigations into their own conduct. If they point the finger at themselves, it will happen a long, long time from now. We have to take the fight to them now if we want civil rights abuses stopped immediately. If we wait, the current actions of the local and state governments may become the status quo, and others may not be as sympathetic to our cause because they deem it the normal state of affairs. People hate change, and once they get used to something, they won't want to go back to the way it was, even if it involves the loss of one of our civil rights. And once we lose one, the rest of the Bill of Rights is on the table.

GOA Denounces Gun Confiscations In New Orleans
For Immediate Release
September 9, 2005
Contact: Ellie McDaniel
703-321-8585

"Simply outrageous!"

That was the reaction from Erich Pratt, Director of Communications for Gun Owners of America, after learning that the city of New Orleans had begun confiscating legally-owned firearms from New Orleans' residents.

"By what authority can the mayor order these confiscations?" Pratt said. "You can't legitimately suspend the God-given rights of American citizens who have committed no crimes.

"These confiscations will not make the people of New Orleans any safer. Privately owned firearms were the only thing which prevented good people from becoming victims in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when few policemen were to be found anywhere in the city.

"There have been many stories of self-defense, where stranded survivors were able to use firearms to protect what little they had, against the criminal thugs who had been released from the prisons. To take away their firearms now is simply adding 'insult to injury.'

"Unfortunately, we have yet to learn the lessons from previous dark episodes in our recent history," Pratt said. "We need to remember those lessons, such as the riots of Los Angeles more than a decade ago."

For several days in 1992, Los Angeles was in complete turmoil as stores were looted and burned. Motorists were dragged from their cars and beaten. As in New Orleans, police in L.A. were very slow in responding to the crisis. Many Guardsmen, after being mobilized to the affected areas, sat by and watched the violence because their rifles were low on ammunition.

"But not everybody in Los Angeles suffered," Pratt said. "In some of the hot spots, Korean merchants were able to successfully protect their stores with semi-automatic firearms. In areas where armed citizens banded together for self-protection, their businesses were spared while others -- which were left unprotected -- burned to the ground."

Interestingly, press reports in the aftermath of the riots described how life-long gun control supporters were running to gun stores to buy an item they never thought they would need -- a gun. Tragically, they were surprised (and outraged!) to learn there was a 15-day waiting period upon firearms.

"Will we never learn?" Pratt said. "It is a fact that firearms save millions of lives every year. So if Mayor Ray Nagin really wanted to help the decent citizens of New Orleans, he would be issuing them firearms instead of taking them away. Nagin's actions will put people in further jeopardy -- and if one citizen dies in New Orleans because he was deprived of the ability to defend himself or his family, there will be blood on the Mayor's hands."

GOA is already looking to draft legislation at both the state and federal level to preclude authorities from imposing ANY firearms restrictions during emergency response activities. Please stay tuned for further updates.

Asking for future legislation to prevent this from happening again will not help those who are in need of help now. Since it is not involved in relief efforts (at least in the eyes of Congress), any legislation on the matter will be tabled until further notice.

 

[QuickTrig]

This was brought up earlier, But you know how Rosa Parks didnt want to get up on the bus, and started the civil rights movement....

Lets say Joe America in N.O. didnt want to give up his guns, they are HIS possesions, they are PROTECTING him and his other possesions, its the 2ND AMENDMENT.....you know what would happen?? The police/guard would blow his door down and kill him.....and that would be the end of Joe America and his standing up, against an unconstitutional and illegal seizure of personal possesions...but not just personal possesions....possesions guaranteed under this countries Constitution.

Am I the only one scared of something similar to the Katrina disaster (in scale) happening over a much broader area of America...and our rights as americans deteriorating to the point of armed "freedom fighters/militias" having a full blown civil war with the U.S. government???

 

[molonlabe]

Freedom is nether Free or cheap. Just visit Arlington Cemetery.
Tyranny by any other name is still Tyranny.

 

[progunner1957]

Constitution and Bill of Rights: For entertainment purposes only??

The New Orleans Chief of Police who gave the confiscation order as well as all individual officers who executed that order should at the bare minimum be fired for doing so, IMHO. The Chief had absolutely no lawful or Constitutional authority to issue such an order, and the officers involved had no lawful or Constitutional authority to execute it. If National Guard troops were involved, the same goes for them.

The Police confronted home owners and "made them an offer they could not refuse," to wit: Hand over your guns or we will kill you and then take them. You can split all the hairs you want, "they did not say that," "they didn't threaten anyone," etc. but that is exactly what the deal was: Hand over your guns or we will kill you and then take them.

If we still have a Constitution and a Bill of Rights, American citizens should never have such a "choice" forced upon them. If we are going to have a Constitution and a Bill of Rights, let's get serious about protecting and defending them.

If not, "The Government" may as well stamp on both documents in big, red block letters, "FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY" so that there will be no confusion or unrealistic expectations in the minds of We The People.

Wake up, America!!

 

[alpineman]

I was one of those blustering on in a prior post, waiting impatiently for the NRA to respond. They have, and I'm satisfied. I just wanted to see my money at work.

 

[IZinterrogator]

Uh, I meant the GOA was blustering, not its supporters. Feel free to demand your money's worth, you paid for it.

 

[C Philip]

I'm really happy the NRA has now taken a firm stand. For a while I thought they might just remain silent! I understand however, that in order for them to maintain credability as an organization, they had to take it slow and get all the facts and laws straight before saying something. I hope they succede in making sure what happened in NO never happens again!

 

[Rich Lucibella]

I understand however, that in order for them to maintain credability as an organization, they had to take it slow and get all the facts and laws straight before saying something.

As do ALL responsible firearms owners.
Rich

 

[blackmind]

Am I the only one scared of something similar to the Katrina disaster (in scale) happening over a much broader area of America...and our rights as americans deteriorating to the point of armed "freedom fighters/militias" having a full blown civil war with the U.S. government???

Well, the way I imagine it, if members of a "freedom fighter militia" were taking opportunities to strike from concealment every now and then (yeah, they'd be called "domestic terrorists" for sure, but what can ya do?), members of Congress, the people who could call off the dogs and restore our rights, would probably have to cave in to pressure eventually.

Do you really think that members of Congress, who would be making themselves enemies of American liberty by supporting JBTism, would enjoy having to live indefinitely in a bunker-like situation, with their families' lives threatened? I don't think they'd want to have to live on a military base for protective custody.

Imagine if Chuck Schumer had to confront the notion that if his daughter or wife (or HE) ever set foot in a mall, there were "guerrillas" posed ("sleeper cells" or what have you?) to kidnap them and mail parts of them to the Capitol. These people may have "protection" -- bodyguards and whatnot -- but if they want to be able to live relatively normal lives, I think they realize that they can't afford to do anything too radical against our rights without incurring a huger-than-worth-it personal cost. Kind of like the retribution that the corrupt faced in Unintended Consequences. And really, if the NRA's member rolls really had to transform into the "Freedom Militia" or something, and start making hits on the power-transgressors, I don't think that the kind of day-to-day protection details that the S.S. provides them would be able to stand up to an organized assault by some well-armed, determined civilians. It's not like they have 50 guys around them at all times or something.


-blackmind

 

[Rich Lucibella]

Blackmind-
That's an interesting lesson in Guerrilla Tactics......
not a very honorable or practical one; but it certainly meets all of the "tactical" requirements of the **fictional** (and rather vapid) Unintended Consequences.

Imagine if Chuck Schumer had to confront the notion that if his daughter or wife (or HE) ever set foot in a mall, there were "guerrillas" posed ("sleeper cells" or what have you?) to kidnap them and mail parts of them to the Capitol.

Is this the face you wish to put to responsible firearms owners? If so, "your" ranks will start to shrink right quick.....you'll quickly find that you've not too much company in the firearms owner community.

Back now to XB's original topic, if y'all don't mind.
Thanks.
Rich

 

[blackmind]

If gun rights are destroyed by a government that is bent on taking away our liberty, Rich, don't you think that at least some of the "responsible firearms owners" would have to turn into "responsible freedom fighters" in order to combat the tyranny?

Or do you think that if it comes to that, we'll all just write letters to Schumer et al to get the problem corrected?

My post was just a hypothetical, Rich, so you can calm down. I'm not about to board a bus to D.C. or something. And your feelings about the merits of U.C. aside, it paints a not-all-that-unrealistic picture in some respects. Specifically, I mean, if the government were really cracking down on our rights in a clearly tyrannical, this-is-the-time-to-fight manner, don't you think that continual lethal assaults on the agents of that government would make it hard for them to live in any kind of comfort, to the point that their minds might be changed about continuing their policies?

When has any government, in the history of the world, faced a disgruntled populace of the kind and capability that 80,000,000 pissed-off and tyrannized gun owners would constitute? And could our government withstand that?

-blackmind

 

[jeff_troop]

When has any government, in the history of the world, faced a disgruntled populace of the kind and capability that 80,000,000 pissed-off and tyrannized gun owners would constitute?

yes and 79,990,000 of them will lay down and lick themselves like a dog rather then defend what is right.

wretched, but i believe it to be true. :barf:

 

[kennybs plbg]

How soon people forget, It's not only our right to defend against tyranny it's our duty as americans.

kenny b

 

[Silver Bullet]

If gun rights are destroyed by a government that is bent on taking away our liberty, Rich, don't you think that at least some of the "responsible firearms owners" would have to turn into "responsible freedom fighters" in order to combat the tyranny?

Killing civilians and mailing body parts isn't "responsible freedom fighting." That crosses over the line and becomes terrorism.

 

[Eghad]

I agree the Police Chief should be gone.......as well as the Mayor for letting it happen. These citizens were well within thier legal rights. If it happens again I am sure we will see some kind of action in the courts with the assistance of the NRA. I am sure the Gov of LA will get some backlash too.

Have you checked the Brady Homepage lately? it is nothing more than a joke when you read it. With 9/11 and Katrina more folks are realizing that you are your own best defense. The police may be in the same boat as you when disaster occurs.

We have come from 10 states with shall issue CCW in 1987 to 38 states with this. I dont see where all the doom and we must have a revolution stuff is coming from. All we need to do is hold the course with organizations that are politically active in the 50 states and on the federal level. The NRA is that organization.

In Texas we had a Gov. Richards who thought she not Texans knew best about CCW. The last I saw her she was doing Doritos commercials or something. In SE Texas we had a long time Congressman named Jack Brooks who thought he could make a deal with the anti gun crowd to get some college funding. He too was put on the road.

I think Americans know who should be in the drivers seat on firearms ownership and that will continue to grow.

 

[KSFreeman]

Eghad, indeed, just look at Texas, when I first visited your fine state in '97 or '98, one could not legally carry a pistol. On my last visit in '04 I carried a pistol on my Florida license and did not see any of the "no guns" signs that I saw everywhere in '95! It's getting better and better.

What to do about New Orleans? Follow the example of our enemy. How to affect change the most effectively--the courts. Sue them all. What's the remedy? Money, court-order educational programs for law enforcement, inter alia.

At the same time, work in the legislature to ensure that this will never happen again. How? Criminal civil rights laws, restrictions to police funding, mandatory pro-Second Amendment sensitivity training for law enforcement officers, etc.

We can fight back. Learn from our enemy and out gee a gee.