Candid Questions for the NRA

[slim 1,530]

1. Why, more than 24 hours after the horrific shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, had no NRA official uttered a single word of sympathy for the victims? Why would they? Any statement they issued would be wrong and used to attack their organization.

2. Why, over the same period, did your Twitter feed go silent? See above.

3. Why, whenever the United States suffers yet another mass murder by a lone gunman bristling with semi-automatic weapons, do your supporters insist that "this is not the time" to debate this nation's NRA-fueled obsession with firearms? Because many people in this nation can't use logic and facts when they hear a story on the TV. They have big emotional responses instead of crunching numbers.

4. If this isn't the time to talk about gun control, when is? Never. The founders were very clear on gun control when they wrote the 2nd Amendment. "Shall not be infringed."

5. A recent "Gun of the Week" in the NRA publication American Rifleman was the DRD Paratus-16, described as "a quick break down semi-automatic rifle (that) can be assembled in less than a minute without the use of tools." Why is assembly time so important? Like any other hobby, shooting requires some set up and most enthusiasts would rather use their limited time engaging in the hobby as opposed to setting up.

Additionally, many states have very stupid laws that require firearms to be disassembled during transport and an easy reassembly enables the enthusiast to participate in their hobby more quickly.

6. Uncle Henry's website currently lists more than 900 items under "firearms" -- including numerous handguns. Why does the NRA vehemently oppose any effort to require background checks on buyers of those weapons? Because online sales are no different than any other firearms transactions between two private citizens and already subject to laws regarding the sale.

7. Why do you fight with equal ferocity against mandatory background checks at gun shows? See above.

8. What is the purpose of a magazine that contains 100 rounds of ammunition? The same as a magazine that holds one round of ammunition - to hold the ammo prior to firing.

9. Why, on your "NRA Store" website, do you feature a cloth baby bib with colorful blocks that spell "NRA?" Because some Americans don't like certain rights and the NRA has to raise money in order to secure those rights.

10. Why, on the same site, do you offer a "Camo Marshmallow Shooter" with "an easy-to-fill magazine tube (that) holds up to 25 marshmallows for rapid fire action?" See above.

11. Have you no shame? Is the NRA somehow responsible for the actions of individual criminals?

12. Currently there are an estimated 300 million guns in the United States -- almost one for every American and by far the highest concentration of privately owned weaponry in the world. In the NRA's view, how many guns in this country are too many? There is no such thing as "too many guns."

13. After NBC's Bob Costas said pro-football player Jovan Belcher and Kasandra Perkins would still be alive had Belcher not owned a gun, NRA President Wayne LaPierre accused Costas of "trying to piggyback his agenda on the back of this national tragedy." What say you now, Mr. LaPierre? Seems like Mr. LaPierre has nothing to say at all. See #1.

14. Ralph Nader on Friday called the NRA "the enabler of mass murder." Can the NRA prove him wrong? Who? It's really funny how you guys pick and choose your celebrities only when they support your position.

15. A tearful President Obama on Friday called for "meaningful action" to prevent future mass shootings. Will the NRA use those two words to urge its members to go out and stockpile more guns? Probably not. I don't think the NRA has ever encouraged anyone to stockpile guns.

16. On the same day that a man with a Bushmaster semiautomatic rifle and two handguns killed 27 people in Newtown, a man with a knife attacked 22 children and one adult outside a primary school in China. If, as the NRA is so fond of saying, “guns don’t kill people – people kill people,” how do you explain the fact that in China, nobody died? Training.

That and the Chinese are a lot tougher than the average American. We've become a nation of softies. Over there, they teach their kids to fight - at school. We teach our kids that trying your best is good enough.

17. Has the NRA ever seen a piece of gun-control legislation it didn't consider a threat to the Second Amendment? Absolutely. The NRA compromises on 2A issues way too often.

18. If Adam Lanza were a member of the NRA, would you posthumously denounce him? It depends on his member status. If he was a life member he could possibly will his membership to someone else.

19. Has any member of the NRA's senior staff ever visited the scene of a mass shooting? Has the reporter?

20. What if they were your children? They probably wouldn't go to public school.

Columnist Bill Nemitz is a jackwagon

They have only one business - to proliferate firearms, to put a gun into the hand of each and every wacko that wants one. They are soulless creatures, agents of death.

Sounds a lot like the US Government.

you can go from a gun show directly to an elementary school now and exercise your 2nd amendment rights...

That's already illegal. Want to make it "more illegal?"

That shouldn't be this way though...

Why not?

That's the whole story. That's the issue. That we are sitting here having a debate based on the false claim that background checks are performed to ensure that only law abiding citizens can obtain firearms. THAT IS FALSE. Anyone can obtain a firearm and you don't have to do it on some dark street corner. You can do it in broad daylight at your neighborhood gun show. Anyone can. That means that there is ZERO control on who buys and own guns in this country. And that is an issue that must be addressed.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

I have think the gun nuts have a point, it does not matter if you own but a single shot .22 cal pistol, or 250 assorted handguns, 250 rifles and shotguns, and managed to even get your hands on a fully operational Vulcan with a 10 year supply of ammo to operate it with, if you aren't insane and go on a massive killing spree with your arsenal.

But having the greatest personal arsenal in the free world is no ticket to safety when there are so many guns available to so many nutters who will.

[james&olya 1,121]

I have think the gun nuts have a point, it does not matter if you own but a single shot .22 cal pistol, or 250 assorted handguns, 250 rifles and shotguns, and managed to even get your hands on a fully operational Vulcan with a 10 year supply of ammo to operate it with, if you aren't insane and go on a massive killing spree with your arsenal.

But having the greatest personal arsenal in the free world is no ticket to safety when there are so many guns available to so many nutters who will.

Guns will never make you safe!

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Guns will never make you safe!

Kind of like seat belts and life vest eh.

[Martyshk 137]

Kind of like seat belts and life vest eh.

Please do not wear your seatbelt since it's the goddamn oppressive government infringing on your rights!

[Harsh_77 718]

Guns will never make you safe!

You think taking away guns would make u safe?

You are forgetting ppl who are going to get them illegal would get them no matter what.

I can give you example of India, its really difficult for civilian to get a gun but the gangs and robbers manage to get the guns anyway either importing It from out of India or homemade versions.

[decocker 7,198]

You think taking away guns would make u safe?

You are forgetting ppl who are going to get them illegal would get them no matter what.

I can give you example of India, its really difficult for civilian to get a gun but the gangs and robbers manage to get the guns anyway either importing It from out of India or homemade versions.

this entire argument is maddening. who is advocating taking guns away? if people feel safer with more gun sale regulations in place, what is the harm in facilitating that?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

this entire argument is maddening. who is advocating taking guns away? if people feel safer with more gun sale regulations in place, what is the harm in facilitating that?

Well based on conversations in this forum, I would say those who want more gun control are really advocating making 2/3 of all firearms illegal.

[decocker 7,198]

Well based on conversations in this forum, I would say those who want more gun control are really advocating making 2/3 of all firearms illegal.

2/3 of gun types or existing guns?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

2/3 of gun types or existing guns?

Types. The only thing being legal would be bolt action rifles, revolvers etc.

[decocker 7,198]

Types. The only thing being legal would be bolt action rifles, revolvers etc.

well see, that's where i don't give two sh*ts. i'm not a gun enthusiast so to me, a gun is a gun.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

well see, that's where i don't give two sh*ts. i'm not a gun enthusiast so to me, a gun is a gun.

It might affect you. Imagine deleting roughly 6 billion dollars from the economy.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

well see, that's where i don't give two sh*ts. i'm not a gun enthusiast so to me, a gun is a gun.

"Hello is this Burger King? Yes please give me your take on the next moon landing."

Edited December 19, 2012 by Bad_Daddy

[Harsh_77 718]

this entire argument is maddening. who is advocating taking guns away? if people feel safer with more gun sale regulations in place, what is the harm in facilitating that?

Its maddening for pro guns and gun owners too that whenever any such incident happens ppl just jump on the guns and project as guns are the evil of society without even looking at the root cause of the problem.

Most media reported what kinda gun were used in Sandy first before even reporting the actual number of casualty or even before confirming the name of the shooter.

Day later most media reported about the guy having mental problem and health issues.

Just coz you dont like gun or you dont use one you are ok on facilitating regulation on them.

[decocker 7,198]

It might affect you. Imagine deleting roughly 6 billion dollars from the economy.

i don't see it happening. another reason i'm not worried about it.

"Hello is this Burger King? Yes please give me your take on the next moon landing."

i don't know what you're talking about but, yes..please go to the moon. and stay there.