NRA Fears Public Backlash, Makes Somewhat Uncharacteristic Statement

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth


Is the NRA softening its hard line stand on the heels of recent events in Texas eateries? Could reason, reasonableness, and responsibility suddenly have taken hold in the rifled halls of the organization's executive offices? Has what has essentially becolobbying arm of firearm manufactures anode gun dealers across the country finally showing signs of a conscience?

Following in part is the statement from the NRA-ILA issued May 30, 2014. Their mild "condemnation," while an apparent attempt to get the more vocal and militant in their ranks to tone it down, was couched in the usual rhetoric we've grown accustomed to hearing.

Now we love AR-15s and AKs as much as anybody, and we know that these sorts of semiautomatic carbines are among the most popular, fastest selling firearms in America today. Texas, independent-minded and liberty-loving place that it is, doesn't ban the carrying of loaded long guns in public, nor does it require a permit for this activity. Yet some so-called firearm advocates seem determined to change this.

Recently, demonstrators have been showing up in various public places, including coffee shops and fast food restaurants, openly toting a variety of tactical long guns. Unlicensed open carry of handguns is legal in about half the U.S. states, and it is relatively common and uncontroversial in some places.

Yet while unlicensed open carry of long guns is also typically legal in most places, it is a rare sight to see someone sidle up next to you in line for lunch with a 7.62 rifle slung across his chest, much less a whole gaggle of folks descending on the same public venue with similar arms.

Let's not mince words, not only is it rare, it's downright weird and certainly not a practical way to go normally about your business while being prepared to defend yourself. To those who are not acquainted with the dubious practice of using public displays of firearms as a means to draw attention to oneself or one's cause, it can be downright scary. It makes folks who might normally be perfectly open-minded about firearms feel uncomfortable and question the motives of pro-gun advocates.

As a result of these hijinx, two popular fast food outlets have recently requested patrons to keep guns off the premises (more information can be found here and here). In other words, the freedom and goodwill these businesses had previously extended to gun owners has been curtailed because of the actions of an attention-hungry few who thought only of themselves and not of those who might be affected by their behavior. To state the obvious, that's counterproductive for the gun owning community.

More to the point, it's just not neighborly, which is out of character for the big-hearted residents of Texas. Using guns merely to draw attention to yourself in public not only defies common sense, it shows a lack of consideration and manners. That's not the Texas way. And that's certainly not the NRA way.

In summary, NRA certainly does not support bans on personalized guns or on carrying firearms in public, including in restaurants. We think people are intelligent enough to resolve these issues in a reasonable way for themselves. But when people act without thinking, or without consideration for others – especially when it comes to firearms – they set the stage for further restrictions on our rights. Firearm owners face enough challenges these days; we don't need to be victims of friendly fire.

Read the full release BELOW THE FOLD and weigh in on the NRA's statement.

More on the story HERE and HERE.

Comments

  1. Most reasonable statement by the NRA in many a year. Was Wayne out sick that day? Their summary:
    "The NRA made clear it "does not support bans on personalized guns or on carrying firearms in public, including in restaurants. " But it concluded that "when people act without thinking, or without consideration for others" cuts to the heart of the matter, IMO, where the operative words are "consideration for others".

    ReplyDelete
  2. I was wondering when the blow-back would finally start. These guys have pushed too far for too long. The American people will eventually come to their senses and push back. It can't come soon enough for me.

    JMJ

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well, that didn't last long. Today, the NRA apologized - attributing the remark to an unauthorized underling. A moment of sanity so brief, you'd need a subatomic particle physicist just to measure it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Too little, too late. Equals exactly nothing. A pathetic attempt at damage control. When these guys were threatening Moms Demand Action. When the death threats and intimidation against that beautiful and strong woman were daily. When the psychotic extremist misogynists were playing ultimate firing squad rallies with a female mannequin...

    The NRA was so quiet you could hear a mouse in the kitchen.

    ReplyDelete

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