Media, Politicians Keeping Gun Confiscation Quiet?

[Hermangotshisguns]

http://www.phxnews.com/fullstory.php?article=25808

No. News of gun confiscation in New Orleans has reached every corner of the country. Contrary to the message in the accompanying newsletter (below), it is not a secret.

The secret is what can be done about this violation of our right to keep and bear arms. But don't ask Gun Owners of America, because their answer is just as useless as the Second Amendment. Their answer is to pass additional legislation--legislation that forbids the violation of the Second Amendment and imposes a consequence consisting of the withholding of financial aid.

"Pardon me, gentlemen, but if you proceed with your naughty gun grabbing mission you may jeopardize your financial aid."

Does that sound like it will stop an armed gang of hooded government thugs who kick in doors in the middle of the night to the rhythm of "Hoo-haa! Semper Fi! Freeze {inappropriate language}!! On the floor! On the floor! Get down or I'll blow your {inappropriate language} off!!"?

"Excuse me? Perhaps I didn't make myself clear about the consequen . . ." [DRT*]

News flash for GOA: The conspicuous violation of a constitutionally protected right, like the right to keep and bear arms, is a bolded, underlined italic uppercase flashing neon clue that the violator is not deterred by the written word, even if it is the law.

But this may not register with GOA since--by supporting and celebrating the implementation of a government-issued concealed carry permit--the Gun Owners of America have unwittingly helped to convert a right into a government-issued privilege that can be revoked or denied at will. And they used your dues to pull it off.

There are times when attempted violations of basic rights like the right to self-defense have to be met swiftly and effectively, or those rights will be considered void for lack of ownership. The only line in the sand is the one you draw.

Mark Yannone http://www.yannone.org

"What part of 'shall not be infringed' is confusing YOU?"

*DRT = dead right there

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Media, Politicians Keeping Gun Confiscation Quiet -- Your help needed to "rattle cages" on Capitol Hill

Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert 8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151 Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408 http://www.gunowners.org

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Last week, GOA alerted you to the fact that officials were illegally confiscating firearms from law-abiding citizens in New Orleans.

National Guard troops and police were going door-to-door and seizing guns from honest residents, without any constitutional or legal power to do so.

Despite a few initial reports in the New York Times, the Associated Press and ABC News, there has been nothing said in the mainstream news since then.

Not surprisingly, GOA has found that many offices on Capitol Hill are completely unaware that gun confiscations were occurring! To help overcome this appalling lack of information, GOA has constructed a special section at http://www.gunowners.org/notb.htm on the GOA website, so that gun owners, media pundits and congressmen can see for themselves what has been happening in New Orleans.

Viewers can read articles and see actual video of the gun confiscations and forced evacuations occurring.

Gun owners are strongly encouraged to visit this web link and to encourage other freedom lovers to go there as well.

GOA has aggressively pursued the media and has been able to place opeds in many news outlets. GOA spokesman have also hit the airwaves to alert Americans on many, many talk shows across the nation.

What Else Is GOA Doing?

In addition to the educational efforts mentioned above, GOA will be pursuing any and all legal and judicial avenues that are available.

GOA does not have standing to sue in the courts. However, we can help a member who has had his or her guns illegally confiscated. We already know of one person in Louisiana who is planning to bring a suit, and we will be prepared to spend money to advance cases like this one.

GOA has also drafted model legislation to hold these sleazy public officials accountable. GOA extends kudos to gun author Alan Korwin who has correctly noted that federal law already provides sanctions for "conspiracy against rights" in 18 USC ' 241. This is one avenue that needs to be pursued. And the President should be asking Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez to bring charges against New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and the Police Commissioner Edwin Compass III. (But don't hold your breath. After all, The Washington Post reported on September 9 that U.S. Marshals, who work for Gonzalez, were also participating in the confiscation of firearms.)

GOA's model legislation would hit gun grabbing politicians from another angle, in that the bill will provide sanctions if those officials -- either now or in the future -- try to use "martial law" or "emergency powers" to confiscate firearms. Namely, the legislation will force them to lose every dollar of the precious relief funds that they so greatly covet.

The legislation states in part that "no funds appropriated pursuant to any provision of law may be used (1) to involuntarily force any person out of that person's home if the person is not in imminent danger, or (2) to disarm law-abiding citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights."

Why New Legislation?

Some have asked, "Why is new legislation needed? Don't we have a constitutional amendment that already protects the right to keep and bear arms?"

Yes, we do. And hence, the same question could be asked about concealed carry laws. Why enact CCW laws when the Second Amendment already protects the rights of citizens to "bear" arms?

The reason is quite simple: Because of concealed carry laws around the country, there are now hundreds of thousands of Americans who can carry firearms legally WITHOUT being thrown into jail. Concealed carry laws represent a first step toward true freedom to carry without permits and have helped to protect and guarantee the rights of American citizens.

Likewise, this model legislation will provide a practical means for punishing officials who would violate the rights of law-abiding American citizens.

If there is one down-side, the model draft is almost too good. GOA has found congressmen that may be willing to introduce this legislation, but generally speaking, they are scared to introduce anything that might jeopardize the billions of dollars of financial aid that will be going to New Orleans.

That's where you guys come in.

ACTION: Please use the pre-written letter below to help direct your thoughts to your congressman. Urge him or her to introduce legislation that will deny funds to ANY group of officials that would violate the Second Amendment.

Look, it's your money that is being sent to New Orleans. You should have a right to require that those politicians receiving your money will not use it to disarm fellow American citizens. So again:

1. Please write your congressman today. You can visit the Gun Owners Legislative Action Center at http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm to send your Representative a pre-written e-mail message such as the one below.

[TunnelRat]

This article doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. In the first part it belittles efforts by GOA, the Second Amendment, and legislative remedies:

"but don't ask Gun Owners of America, because their answer is just as useless as the Second Amendment. Their answer is to pass additional legislation--legislation that forbids the violation of the Second Amendment and imposes a consequence consisting of the withholding of financial aid."

Then in the second part it would seem to praise GOA for those very recommendations. Unfortunately, the article doesn't bother to clarify these two issues.

BTW, just what does the author recommend we do? The point seems to be that legislation that would forbid violating the Second Amendment, and would penalize law enforcement agencies that do, is of no value.

So what are we to do? Shoot at the police who come to the door (as the article may imply)? I think not! This is a typical example of those who loudly complain about a problem yet do not bother to develop a solution.

In fact, witholding funds from law enforcement agencies that routinely violate the Second Amendment may well be a remarkably effective deterrent. Such agencies need funds to operate. About the only way to put them out of business or to modify their behavior is to withold the money they need to continue in existence.