Conversely, if you want off my ping-list, let me know.
And my apologies for any redundant pings.
Posted on 06/27/2005 9:52:14 AM PDT by neverdem
www.gunowners.org
Jun 2005
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Registration leads to confiscation. We all know that, and that is why GOA has vehemently opposed all attempts by government forces to compile or retain information pertaining to lawful firearms purchases.
But the United States Senate does not appear to see it that way. People on Capitol Hill seem to think that any "edge" in the war on terror is worth trampling on the rights of law-abiding Americans, no matter what the Constitution (and current law) happens to say.
At issue is a provision in the Patriot Act reauthorization bill (S. 1266) authored by Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS). Now, GOA has long opposed the vast majority of Patriot Act powers as being detrimental to freedom in general and dangerous to gun owners in the particular.
In short, Sen. Roberts' language would allow the FBI to seize ANY business records it believes would be relevant to an anti-terrorism investigation... without first seeking permission from any court in the land.
Gun sales are business transactions, and FFL holders must retain copies of the 4473 forms (yellow sheets) filled out on every gun sale. Thus, an anti-gun administration could easily determine that such records would be useful in the fight against terrorism, and demand them all. (In fact, shortly after 9/11, liberal Democrats in Washington were screaming for exactly that.)
It gets worse. It is conceivable that your local gun dealer would risk his license, his business, and lots of money to protect your privacy and refuse to turn over the records. But under this legislation, the Attorney General could order the dealer NOT TO TELL YOU WHAT IS GOING ON. So that dealer would be the ONLY person who could contest the action before your life is raked over the coals... and honestly, how many among us would risk everything rather than tell the feds who it was that stopped by to pick up a Glock a couple of months ago?
After having used an "administrative subpeona" (again, not subject to judicial review) to collect all gun purchase records across the country, your friendly anti-gun but oh-so-patriotic government would have brought about the gun owner's second-worst-case scenario: a national firearms registration list.
Registration leads to confiscation.
This monstrosity must be stopped. Please take the action requested below, and urge all freedom-loving Americans you know to do the same.
ACTION: Contact your United States senators. Politely but firmly demand that they oppose the bill to expand the Patriot Act (S. 1266), and specifically, its provision to allow "administrative subpoenas" of all gun records.
You can use the pre-written message below and send it as an e-mail by visiting the GOA Legislative Action Center at http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm (where phone and fax numbers are also available).
Dear Senator:
The Patriot Act expansion bill (S. 1266) would allow the United States government to seize every lawful gun sale record in the country... solely on the basis of a bureaucrat's determination that a national registry of gun owners would be useful in an anti-terrorism investigation.
Registration leads to confiscation.
Section 213 of the bill allows a designee of the Attorney General to issue "administrative subpoenas" for any business records which, in his opinion, are relevant to investigating terrorism. Even more ominous, the Attorney General could order gun dealers NOT to disclose the existence of the investigation to their customers, meaning that the dealer (rather than the gun purchaser) would be the only person who could contest this action. And why should he risk his livelihood on my behalf?
None of the above is subject to prior judicial review -- it is massive gun control by simple executive fiat.
I believe that a national gun registry is a step this country cannot afford to take, and one that the citizenry will not abide.
I would ask you, in the strongest terms, to oppose this Patriot Act "reform" bill outright, and especially its administrative subpoena provision.
Sincerely,
Defend The 2nd Amendment Through Creative Giving...
As we confront the challenges of the future, we know that the generosity of those who assist us will make all the difference in our success. That's why GOA seeks your long-term support.
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Hug a libertarian today. We've been telling you since 2001 that they would use this act to undercut the Second Amendment as well as the others. Maybe now some of you will listen.
With the way things have been going recently, I honestly wouldn't be shocked if someone from the future came back and told me there was another civil war in the US by 2010. Our government seems to get bolder every day; allowing illegals and terrorists alike into the country unchallenged, taking away our rights to privacy, taking away the right to own property, and preparing to take away our guns. Who do we elect to stop all of this? Where is the viable party that will put an end to this madness? Democrat and Republican; a rose by any other name... If we have no one else to elect - no one who is on the side of the people - then what else can we do?
Conversely, if you want off my ping-list, let me know.
And my apologies for any redundant pings.
They cannot take away our rights -- our rights are inalienable and endowed by our Creator. They can, however, infringe on our rights -- and I agree they are doing that at a rapidly increasing pace.
What we can do is organize, run for office ourselves, and encourage other like-minded citizens to do the same.
They already have; remember the DOJ statement on the RKBA? This is what it was worth.
and don't forget- every dealer that goes out of business, has to turn over all his yellow sheets to the govt... so, every gun you ever bought from a guy that later went out of business is already in their DataBase.
And if that 'list' got into the wrong hands.(read gov't)
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Just being a BBer today.
John Titor said 2004-2005. I still think he was an internet hoax, but who ever came up with that one needs the "Prophet of the Year" award.
Keep up your good work!
In WV, my local WalMart scanned the bar code on my drivers lisc. when I bought a box of .22 bullets. They said it was due to age requirement of no sale to minors. I'm 60yrs. old. At the local gun shop I've never gotten asked for any ID when purchasing ammo.
What's WalMart doing with his info?
(Tinfoil hat ON)
The ultimate goal of the patriot act is to protect criminals (both foreign and domestic) from patriots.
I asked once. It's company policy. A CYA manuever. It's also why I no longer buy my ammo there.
DITTO!
If you've done nothing wrong, you have nothing to hide.
It's for The Children.
What if they held an Election and no one came? What are the Constitutional Provisions for that? Blackbird.
I'm shocked.
But you'll all vote for them again next time, won't you?
I'll never give up my guns. Any law that says I must is illegal.
FReepers and DU are the fringe. The vast majority of the American public would never be interested enough to even visit a political forum, much less post to it.
Look, I'm not saying it's easy, or that it will happen quickly. But Goldwater did it all those many years ago, and even though he didn't win the presidency, his work led directly to Reagan's win. Start local, and plant seeds. Get just two people motivated about these issues. Talk to your neighbors, write convincing letters to the editor, post flyers, hold meetings, ask to speak to community groups. I don't think we have an informed public -- but I do think we can do our part to help inform our fellow citizens.
I just don't think defeatism is worthy of the fine people of FReeRepublic or America. Our forebears and todays fine military protectors have shed too much blood for us to just give up.
Also, contribute more in time or money to your own special interest group of choice, and encourage others to do the same.
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