From: dbetz@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Drew Betz)
Subject: Re: Media bias
Followup-To: talk.politics.guns 
Keywords: bias (against the NRA, that is) 
Organization: SigSauer Fan Club 
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 14:22:52 GMT

In article <1992Jul21.131129.7738@s1.gov> lip@s1.gov (Loren I. Petrich) writes:
>>#- 				I am the NRA		  Steven R. Fordyce
>>
>>	What can one expect? Someone for the unlimited right of known
>>criminals to possess guns. For myself, I would favor a uniform system
>>of gun permits with the permits revoked for those with a record of
>>violent crime.

This implies that you would be issuing your permits to people with
records of violent crime in the first place.  Most curious of you.
In any event, the NRA is opposed to people with violent criminal
records obtaining firearms.

>	I'm sorry I went overboard here. I apologize for seemingly
>suggesting that SRF is pro-crime. I wished to imply that he was taking
>a stance that would make it difficult to do anything about certain
>kinds of crime.
>
Well, you may wish to retract the individual attack on SRF, but
by ommission you appear to leave the slam against the NRA in place.

>	I guess I was simply annoyed at the NRA's stance of no gun
>restrictions whatsoever. If one is willing to live with having to get
>a driver's license in order to drive a car, then I don't see why we
>can't have some system of gun permits. I'm sure that with suitable
>gun-permit system, it may actually be more straightforward for those
>with a clear record to purchase guns than under some systems.
>
I've set the followup to t.p.g., where you can go defend this
approach at length.  I'll give you the short version.  First
of all, where did you get the idea that the NRA has a stance
of "no gun restrictions whatsoever?"  It is truly ironic that
in a discussion about media bias someone has fallen victim to
media distortion.  Have you wondered why the NRA never seems
to get any rebuttal time on the major networks?  Didn't cross
your mind, huh?  Are you aware that the 3 major networks simply
refuse to SELL the NRA any air time, even for ads that only
promote gun safety among children?

As for your "suitable gun permit system," you may have good
intentions, but such approaches have been used to deny gun
ownership among law-abiding citizens.  Take New York's
Sullivan Law as an example.  You have to have a permit to
own a gun.  The Catch-22 is that they don't issue permits
to ordinary citizens like you and me.  Uh, did you have something
to say about "suitable?"  If you're a gun-banner, just step
up and say so.  If not, perhaps you can get a feel for why
the NRA is vociferously opposed to permits.  The problem is
that as soon as they're discretionary they turn into de facto
gun bans.

Furthermore, you'll probably be surprised to know that a
"gun owner license" would actually loosen gun laws in many parts
of the country.  In Massachusetts, you will get an automatic
YEAR in prison for illegally transporting a firearm - that is,
not having a "License to Carry."  Imagine that: Just licensing
gun owners would eliminate the license to carry nonsense in
one fell swoop.

Gun owner licensing is opposed because it sets up a defacto gun
registration system.  The only purpose of gun registration is
later confiscation.  If you'd try to argue that registration
aids in crime-fighting, you'll have to explain the behavior of
cities that have abndoned it after their police chiefs declared
it a waste of time and money.  I'm listening. 

You may be surprised to find out that the NRA opposes the
ownership of firearms by convicted felons, minors, people
mentally ill, and other high-risk groups.  They have helped
write legislation banning teflon-coated bullets - despite
the lies you heard to the contrary.  So, perhaps you might
wish to learn a little more about the NRA before labelling
them as extremist. 

Drew 
--
drew betz : wj8k : dbetz@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu   
"A winning team for the alumni, good parking for the faculty, and
 sex for the students."  OSU President E. Gordon Gee on the three
 things a great university must provide. 
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