·11250 Waples Mill Road · Fairfax, Virginia 22030 ·800-392-8683
Posted on 06/15/2010 1:10:48 PM PDT by neverdem
The National Rifle Association believes that any restrictions on the political speech of Americans are unconstitutional.
In the past, through the courts and in Congress, the NRA has opposed any effort to restrict the rights of its four million members to speak and have their voices heard on behalf of gun owners nationwide.
The NRA’s opposition to restrictions on political speech includes its May 26, 2010 letter to Members of Congress expressing strong concerns about H.R. 5175, the DISCLOSE Act. As it stood at the time of that letter, the measure would have undermined or obliterated virtually all of the NRA’s right to free political speech and, therefore, jeopardized the Second Amendment rights of every law-abiding American.
The most potent defense of the Second Amendment requires the most adamant exercise of the First Amendment. The NRA stands absolutely obligated to its members to ensure maximum access to the First Amendment, in order to protect and preserve the freedom of the Second Amendment.
The NRA must preserve its ability to speak. It cannot risk a strategy that would deny its rights, for the Second Amendment cannot be defended without them.
Thus, the NRA’s first obligation must be to its members and to its most ardent defense of firearms freedom for America’s lawful gun owners.
On June 14, 2010, Democratic leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives pledged that H.R. 5175 would be amended to exempt groups like the NRA, that meet certain criteria, from its onerous restrictions on political speech. As a result, and as long as that remains the case, the NRA will not be involved in final consideration of the House bill.
The NRA cannot defend the Second Amendment from the attacks we face in the local, state, federal, international and judicial arenas without the ability to speak. We will not allow ourselves to be silenced while the national news media, politicians and others are allowed to attack us freely.
The NRA will continue to fight for its right to speak out in defense of the Second Amendment. Any efforts to silence the political speech of NRA members will, as has been the case in the past, be met with strong opposition.
---nra---
Sell outs.
Memo to the NRA: Stay away from endorsing Harry Reid and I might listen to what you have to say. Keep cozying up to him at your own peril...
You at the NRA are SELL-OUTS! In cutting a deal with the radical left, you not only betrayed every other business/corporation and American, you made it clear that you are STUPID enough to believe that those same leftists will actually KEEP whatever agreement they made!! In short, the left purchased your cooperation for a promise that you’ll be permitted to speak freely, even though others will be silenced. “Do it to Julia”, right, NRA??!! Although I’m sure it won’t cost you any sleep, you’ve just lost me as a member.
Looks like the same rationale the Unions use for THEIR exemptions.
The little guy has the same rights as the big dogs. If they won’t stand up for us, why should be stand with them?
I agree NRA but the problem is you sold out everyone else with your negotiations to be exempted.
They’ll come for the NRA later.
On the other hand, the NRA isn’t supporting the bill, they simply aren’t spending money to defeat it. My guess is they won’t score it as an anti-gun bill any more.
Stop it! You're using logic in this debate. There is no room in here for that. We're all busy with our pitchforks!
“Democratic leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives pledged that H.R. 5175 would be amended to exempt groups like the NRA,...”
Stupid is as stupid does - no one should trust the Democrats. They will stab you in the back every time.
I wonder if the NRA put out this statement as a result of MANY members—or FORMER members—calling the organization on it’s cheap, disgraceful selling out of the Constitutional rights of the American people?
The NRA has sold out and must be rejected as representing gunowners.
Logic my fanny. It's similar to Ruger backing the high-capacity magazine ban (15-rounds) because at the time they sold none themselves. Look on it as the first of "When they came for the Jews, I did nothing" argument. What makes those NRA idiots that they won't be singled out later on? Pitchforks are needed.
A classic case of “Divide and Conquer”.
They have just divided the most formidable group they have
faced, without a shot being fired. Leftists win.
Actually I think the NRA is wrong on this one...
The Second Amendment is there to protect the First Amendment...
Talk is sometimes cheap...Cases of ammo speak volumes...
Oh, Ruger did sell them! I legally bought 6 Ruger-trademarked 30-round .223 mags BEFORE the 1994 ban. But in theory, per company policy, they were to be sold only to LEOS, it is true.
June 15, 2010
Dear NRA,
I am a registered 5 year member of your organization. I am a conservative American first, and a Republican second. I have voted in every election since the age of 18... I am now near 50.
Regarding the DISCLOSE Act:
I understand the unfortunate reality that political expedience often compels compromise; however I am surprised and angered that the National Rifle Association would act to undermine one constitutional guarantee on the presumption of preserving another.
The First Amendment is the Bulwark of American political freedom, and thus it distinguishes our republican form of government from all others. Enumerated first within the Bill of Rights for reason that its principles are the capstone of American liberty, any power that acts to diminish its protections, nudges our republic closer to the abyss of tyranny. While proper to observe that the Second Amendment exists to preserve our fundamental liberties, their essence will not long survive if ever the proposition is accepted that any constituent part may be weakened to preserve another.
In 1738 Benjamin Franklin wrote in Poor Richard’s Almanac the following:
“Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor Liberty to purchase power.”
Years later, in 1775, he admonished:
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
In the desire to advance a single issue—gun rights—the NRA has foolishly sold liberty for power, giving up one essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety. What next shall the NRA forsake in the name of political expedience?
Sincerely,
xxxx
Stratton, NE
This bill, if passed into law, would be challenged by many groups (of all sorts) left unprotected-something about a due process /equal protection clause in the consitition, teh NRA would be in a position to be witness agaist the law and yet another bad 1st/2nd & 4th Amendment violating law would fall to the curb.
Patience, defeating the socialist agenda one step at a time...
The Paper Tiger roars...
Hypocrites.
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