After intense pressure from membership, the NRA has finally issued a strong statement condemming the confiscation of guns in New Orleans. 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."
Way too little, way too late. The NRA gets no respect from me. It took internal pressure from their membership!!!! before they spoke up. All they are is puppets of the government anymore. They don't care about us they just care about getting a paycheck. Guarantee you if the membership voted to not pay them that big a check they'd be hunting a new job immediately. I'll never give any of my money to them because they won't support all gun owners.
I've always felt, that while they were better than nothing, the NRA should use it's heavy clout a little more. It's my job, as the end user to have to accept compromise. A lobby that powerful should not negotiate our rights. Then again, look at the roots. The NRA really was a sporting organization prior to gettin on the 2nd amendment bandwagon. I think they got a lot of "Cancel my membership" emails/letters
I have always said "Anytime the government tries to pass some new law that moves us two steps closer to total gun confiscation, the NRA battles tooth and nail to get us moved only one step closer." I dropped my NRA membership years ago.I still belong to GOA.For now.I am waiting to see what they do about this NO deal.
Yup.... pretty sad.... Though I wonder where gun ownership would be without the NRA.... things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmmm.......
