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Gun Groups Upset by Post-Katrina Firearm Confiscations
Kansas City infoZine ^
| September 20, 2005
| Isaac Wolf
Posted on 09/20/2005 4:46:11 PM PDT by neverdem
Gun rights groups are pointing to Hurricane Katrina as the best example since the 1992 Los Angeles riots of the need for civilians to carry firearms. They say that lawlessness and looting could be prevented by responsibly armed citizens.
Washington, D.C. - Scripps Howard Foundation Wire - infoZine - Meanwhile, the gun rights advocates say they are deeply troubled by the decision, made by New Orleans Police Superintendent Edwin Compass, to confiscate civilian firearms during the citywide evacuation earlier this month.
Kelly Hobbs, a National Rifle Association spokeswoman, said the group had reports from New Orleans that police had gone to homes of people who had recently purchased guns to confiscate them.
"It's really irresponsible for the authorities to try to confiscate guns from law-abiding individuals," said Andrew A. Arulanandam, also an NRA spokesman. He said officials should instead be working to locate and disarm criminals.
Peter S. Hamm, a spokesman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, which supports laws regulating and limiting gun ownership, criticized the NRA and other gun-rights' groups as trying to use a natural catastrophe for political gain.
He said that Katrina - and its effect of intensifying focus on preparing for manmade and natural disasters - will not cause Americans to warm up to guns. "That has already happened," he said. "9/11 made people think 'I have to defend myself.' "
Hamm said the public viewed gun ownership as largely positive in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks but that perceptions of gun ownership following Katrina were mixed. Stories of guns being used in self defense will balance against tales of "the guys who had guns and were terrorizing people in the convention center" and reports of thieves pilfering guns from pawn shops, Hamm said.
"In sum, it will be a wash," Hamm said.
Surveys show that public support for gun control has eroded over the last 15 years. In 1990, a Gallup poll found that 78 percent of Americans wanted the laws to be more strict. By October 2004, that number was down to 54 percent.
Some retailers, responding to the threat of looting and the needs of local law enforcement officials, have temporarily discontinued selling guns.
Wal-Mart stopped selling firearms at 40 stores in the affected areas and has changed the way it sells guns at other stores by locking them in vaults, said spokeswoman Karen A. Burk.
Burk would not confirm press reports that looters stole Wal-Mart guns immediately after Katrina struck. "We're trying to work with local authorities to do the right things," she said, adding that there is no timeline for resuming gun sales at the 40 stores.
Burk said that firearm security isn't an issue for Wal-Mart. "Firearms are kept behind glass in general," she said. "We keep them safe."
The Gun Owners of America was disappointed with Wal-Mart's decision. "In a time of crisis when people say they most need self protection, Wal-Mart says, 'We're not going to do it,' " said GOA spokesman Erich M. Pratt.
Despite the stolen firearms, Pratt said that gun retailers should not be called on to beef up security. "It's not going to keep firearms out of the bad guys' hands - they're still going to get them," he said.
The GOA, which has video on its Web site of an ABC news story that says soldiers confiscated guns from homeowners, considers Katrina a "critical juncture" in the public debate about gun control. "If nothing happens from these confiscations, that would set a horrible precedent - suspending constitutional rights under a calamity," Pratt said.
New Orleans and Louisiana officials could not be reached for comment.
TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia; US: Louisiana; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: atf; banglist; batf; corruptcops; gunconfiscation; guncontrol; nola
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1
posted on
09/20/2005 4:46:13 PM PDT
by
neverdem
To: neverdem
Peter Hamm can blow it out his @#$
I prefer to blow it out of a .45
2
posted on
09/20/2005 4:50:31 PM PDT
by
mylife
(The roar of the masses could be farts)
To: neverdem
"Gun Groups"?!?!?
How about ordinary American citizens?
We're upset too!
3
posted on
09/20/2005 4:51:12 PM PDT
by
BenLurkin
(O beautiful for patriot dream - that sees beyond the years)
To: mylife
In fact, that's all Hamm is doing - blowing it out his @$$. It is not "a wash" as he so hopefully whistles past the graveyard of the Brady Bunch because it's made so many realize that these blowhard politicians and and the tough talking police chiefs they hire can't and won't protect them when it really hits the fan. Any house without at least a 12 gauge pump shotgun is a house of fools.
To: neverdem
So to Peter a law-abiding citizen being dead because he or she was legally disarmed and then killed by an illegally armed looter, versus that looter being killed in self-defense by a legally armed citizen, is just a wash. In net, it's still death by guns. Doesn't matter whose, huh?
5
posted on
09/20/2005 5:01:21 PM PDT
by
kcar
(The UN sucks, but a runaway federal government's not much better)
To: neverdem
Peter S. Hamm, a spokesman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, which supports laws regulating and limiting gun ownership, criticized the NRA and other gun-rights' groups as trying to use a natural catastrophe for political gain. The only people using Katrina for political gain are the DemonRATS. Speaking up against the abuse of power and the abridgment of the 2nd Amendment does not constitute using Katrina for political gain, it constitutes speaking up for our right to arm and defend ourselves.
6
posted on
09/20/2005 5:04:03 PM PDT
by
AlaskaErik
(Everyone should have a subject they are ignorant about. I choose professional corporate sports.)
To: neverdem
SAF Investigating New Orleans Gun Seizures; Needs To Hear From You
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
There are 3 comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments
"Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) is calling on members and supporters living in the New Orleans metropolitan area who have had firearms confiscated by police, federal officers or National Guard units to contact SAF headquarters at once."
"Over the past three weeks, since the New Orleans and surrounding area was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, there have been disturbing reports about warrantless searches and seizures of privately-owned firearms."
"'SAF, in cooperation with the National Rifle Association, has investigators on the ground and has retained legal counsel in preparation for possible action,' said SAF founder Alan M. Gottlieb."
"SAF wants to speak directly with individuals who have actually had their firearms confiscated. ..." ...
NRA On The Ground In Louisiana
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
There are 18 comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments
"As was reported last week, in the wake of unspeakable crimes perpetrated by roving, armed gangs and individuals, authorities in New Orleans seized legal firearms from lawful residents, effectively disarming the very citizenry they are sworn to protect."
"On Monday, NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, and NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox slammed New Orleans authorities for this incredible action." ...
"If you have personally had a gun confiscated in Louisiana since Hurricane Katrina hit, please call (888) 414-6333. Be prepared to leave only your name and immediate contact information so we can get back to you. Once again, we are seeking contact information from actual victims of gun confiscation in Louisiana only." ...
7
posted on
09/20/2005 5:08:25 PM PDT
by
righthand man
(WE'RE SOUTHERN AND PROUD OF IT)
To: kcar
Police Chiefs of big cities are a strategic failure. If I was facing a break down in law and order, the first thing I would do as a police chief is have my small police force recruit every law abiding armed citizen they can find and have one officer command ten armed citizens whenever possible. If NO did that, her remaining 900 police force would swell to 9900 effectives.
8
posted on
09/20/2005 5:10:37 PM PDT
by
Fee
(Great powers never let minor allies dictate who, where and when they must fight.)
To: kcar
TO: All FReepers
Subject: Rewarding those who best support the 2nd Amendment.
I hereby humbly suggest that the FReeper community consider setting up a fund to buy the gun-grabbing Police Chief dinner.
He has made the best case for why the Second Amendment we are likely to see this in years. His egregious violation of the 2nd Amendment guarantee of New Orleans citizens makes him simultaneously the poster person for gun-grabbers.
At the same time, it makes him the poster person for the 2nd Amendment. His illegal and intolerable behavior makes clear to the meanest of intellects exactly why the 2nd Amendment is as timely and essential in this time as it was when the Bill of Rights was originally passed which we will see in years.
The only question remaining is - Burger King or Wendy's? ;-)
9
posted on
09/20/2005 5:14:24 PM PDT
by
GladesGuru
("In a society predicated upon liberty, it is essential to examine principles)
To: neverdem
New Orleans Police Superintendent Edwin Compass: if he is not sued, fired or otherwise punished, there will be another one of these confiscations, and another, and another.
To: neverdem
Sue the ba$tards-early and often and until they drop.
11
posted on
09/20/2005 5:15:14 PM PDT
by
alarm rider
(Irritating leftists as often as is humanly possible....)
To: BenLurkin
""Gun Groups"?!?!?
How about ordinary American citizens?
We're upset too!"
Okay let's get to work and defend the SECOND AMENDMENT. I'm a NRA life member and I won't tell you to join because you don't have too. You don't have to own a weapon or join, just help America defend the SECOND AMENDMENT and all the rest of the CONSTITUTION. God Bless America and all who defend HER!
12
posted on
09/20/2005 5:15:35 PM PDT
by
JOE43270
(JOE43270 America voted and said we are One Nation Under God with Liberty and Justice for All.)
To: Fee
"Police Chiefs of big cities are a strategic failure. If I was facing a break down in law and order, the first thing I would do as a police chief is have my small police force recruit every law abiding armed citizen they can find and have one officer command ten armed citizens whenever possible. If NO did that, her remaining 900 police force would swell to 9900 effectives." I have advocated something similar in case of terrorist attacks/sweeps. Let the sheriff recruit every able-bodied, especially veterans who are still under oath, and be prepared for anything that comes down the pike. We gotta know the good guys from the bad guys when the sun goes down. Communications and manpower is the key.
To: henderson field; Joe Brower; Congressman Billybob
IIRC, New Orleans Police Superintendent Edwin Compass can't be sued, but the city can. From my National Guard experience during riot control training, we were taught that that as government agents we were indemnified, i.e. could not be held liable and personally sued as, long as you didn't commit any crime under color of authority.
IMHO, New Orleans is liable for violating civil rights, but they may be able to get off the hook if they only disarmed folks who were subsequently evacuated to a government secured location for evacuees.
14
posted on
09/20/2005 5:45:22 PM PDT
by
neverdem
(May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows that you're dead.)
To: neverdem
The Second Amendment apparently does not apply in liberal-controlled areas
15
posted on
09/20/2005 5:48:39 PM PDT
by
shooter223
(the government should fear the citizens......not the other way around)
To: neverdem
IIRC, New Orleans Police Superintendent Edwin Compass can't be sued,
Bull.
16
posted on
09/20/2005 6:39:57 PM PDT
by
George Smiley
(This tagline deliberately targeted journalists.)
To: George Smiley
Bull.OK, I guess you're a lawyer. We'll see what happens.
17
posted on
09/20/2005 6:50:22 PM PDT
by
neverdem
(May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows that you're dead.)
To: neverdem
I'm not.
However, read this and this and tell me that what was done didn't violate these laws.
I've posted links to the emergency plans, and the Louisiana statutes governing States of Emergency.
And what Compass did violated the U.S. and Louisiana Constitutions, and eexceeded what was permissible under the emergency statutes.
18
posted on
09/20/2005 7:01:54 PM PDT
by
George Smiley
(This tagline deliberately targeted journalists.)
To: George Smiley
I've posted links to the emergency plans, and the Louisiana statutes governing States of Emergency. Could you post that again, if it's not too much trouble?
19
posted on
09/20/2005 7:50:21 PM PDT
by
neverdem
(May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows that you're dead.)
To: GladesGuru
20
posted on
09/20/2005 7:57:14 PM PDT
by
BigTom85
(Proud Gun Owner and Member of NRA)
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