Columbine happened. That didn't stop the NRA from holding it's convention in Denver that year. What's the only thing that could possibly stop an NRA convention?
Its convention promised to bring thousands of people and millions of dollars into Columbus, but the National Rifle Association says it is pulling out and it is a decision city leaders say was a shock.The NRA says it won't hold its convention here in two years because of the city's assault weapons ban.
The city says the NRA selected Columbus even though it knew the legislation was a possibility. Now, the city accuses the NRA of using the city for a publicity stunt.
After the NRA announced its decision Monday morning, the city fired back.
"When you pull back the veil back, you let the light shine on this, you see what the NRA's motive was on this," says Columbus City Councilmember Mike Mentel.
When asked if he thought it was a ruse, Mentel says, "absolutely."
"Mike Mentel and your city council has embarrassed the city in the eyes of the nation by declaring the citizens who reside inside the city limits of Columbus have less freedom and less rights that those who live outside the city limits," says NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre.
Give me a break. Why the hell does anyone need to own an assault weapon? For that badass ten-point buck that just won't go down? It sure as shit doesn't mean my rights are trampled if I can buy ten handguns and four shotguns, but no AK-47.
Nothing says safety from terrorists like a nice warm uzi.
UPDATE 7/19/2005: Dylan has a post up yesterday delving into the 2nd Amendment issue. His bottom line?
Broad and sweeping reform is sorely needed.
You can say that again.
Comments (1)
Like I mentioned in the post, it is an extreme uphill battle for those of us on this side of the issue because, like it or not, we are on the wrong side of the constitution on this.
But I always liked Josh Lymon's quote from an early episode of The West Wing, when a ban on an assault rifle with a grenade launcher attatchment was being fought by the NRA: "Well meaning people can disagree on gun control, but we can all get behind the grenade launcher, can't we?" The problem is we can't, the constitution says that people can bear arms, and the NRA is powerful. I've no doubt that strict gun-control will happen, but I have no doubt that it won't be in our lifetime.
Posted by Dylan | July 19, 2005 12:46 PM
Posted on July 19, 2005 12:46