Why can't libs have their own NRA type organization?

[noahmijo]

I know there are other libs out there who engage in the hobby of firearms. Contrary to popular belief I think there are other libs out there who enjoy shooting, but understand the responsibilities of gun ownership and respect and support all laws that keeps guns from being sold illegally to criminals ect. They're the kind like me I think who once in a while have a good time going to a range and letting off a few rounds, but remember to lock them away from their children and don't sleep with one under their pillow just in case the govt decides to knock on their door.

My question is why no organizations exit that bring together gun owners who promote gun safety and responsibility as opposed to the NRA's "they're gonna take your guns vote for Republicans dammit!' and their brand of fear and overall right wing agenda?

I personally left the NRA long ago for this reason, that I felt they put gun safety and awareness last on their agenda instead going against anybody who would so much as peep about how background checks at gun shows should be mandatory ect.

Even you non-gun owners I'm sure would be supportive of an organization that promotes gun safety and how gun ownership, responsible gun ownership that is, can be a fun hobby.

[billbuckhead]

1. libs?

Isn't that a Rush Limbaugh term? No one here uses that term.

[noahmijo]

3. Well I use it too sorry

I call conservatives "cons" if that makes you feel better

Fine Liberals.

There :-)

[k in IA]

2. Someone needs to start one I guess. It is a good idea.

[billbuckhead]

6. Americans for Gun Safety Foundation

"As Americans, we know that we can do more to promote gun safety and respect the rights of gun owners.

The Americans for Gun Safety Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that supports the rights of Americans who own firearms for sport, protection, and collection.

AGS Foundation is committed to educating Americans about gun rights and responsibilities—including responsible gun ownership, existing gun laws, and new policy options to help keep guns out of the hands of criminals and children." <http://w3.agsfoundation.com/>

[Columbia]

8. Nope, AGS is a gun-control organization

It promotes regulation of all types, and not to further the right to keep and bear arms.

[noahmijo]

9. Dude! nice!

But I'm a little disappointed. I wanted to be the first with this idea!

Ah well, if I ever did get the money and the support I'd start another with similar if not exact goals in mind. Never hurts to have more than one organization supporting the same cause.

[Cleita]

4. I thought that was what the NRA was supposed to do, then

they got political and pro-neocon, now they can't come back. I know some organizations will back this candidate or that candidate who best represents their interests, but to do a wholesale endorsement of a particular political party and embrace everyone and everything it's about is certainly partisan. Even the ever so environmental Sierra Club doesn't do that.

[noahmijo]

7. Well that's kind of my point

If I were to start an organization I know the NRA would come after me calling the group phony ect, but I think that actually be good publicity in a way, because it would garner interest ect.

The point of it would be to promote gun safety and awareness not to endores any particular politician.

You're right though when a group starts to send you postcards saying "vote for this guy because he supports your gun rights ect ect" then you know it's just become another political shill.

I would instead send out newsletters with titles like "why you need to learn how to keep your guns away from your kids. If you can't handle that, then don't own a gun"

[JayS]

23. The NRA will endorse a pro-gun Democrat. The problem is...

...that there are few pro-gun Democratic politicians who have the courage to step up to the plate and speak their mind. One example of a good Democrat that is not afraid to speak up is Rep. Dingell. The NRA has endorsed him in the past. Dingell and the NRA also worked together on a great bill to close the so-called gun show loophole. The last time I looked at the bill it was getting loaded up with all kind of junk, by Democrats, and it eventually fell apart. We should be proud.

[Cleita]

26. How come they didn't speak up about Howard Dean?

Dean had a common sense approach to gun ownership. Not a peep out of the NRA. Just Boosh, Boosh, Boosh. It could have made a big difference in the outcome of the primaries.

[Columbia]

27. Dean got an A rating as Gov of Vermont

[Cleita]

28. So why not as a presidential candidate when it counted?

Yes, I know it counted in Vermont too, but it really counted when he was a candidate.

[DoNotRefill]

30. Do you REALLY think an NRA endorsement during the primaries

would have HELPED Dean???

BTW, the NRA has a formula for deciding who they will endorse. They pick the person with the highest NRA rating. If both candidates have the same rating, they always endorse the incumbent, regardless of political party.

If an incumbent A-rated Republican is running against an A-rated Democrat, they'll endorse the Republican.

If an incumbent A-rated Democrat is running against an A-rated Republican, they'll endorse the Democrat.

If both candidates suck on gun control, they'll endorse neither.

In order to understand the NRA's future behavior, you need to understand where they are coming from.

BTW, there are plenty of pro-gun Democrats, and plenty of anti-gun Republicans. They support people who are pro-gun, and oppose people who are anti-gun (they came out a while back against McCain, FYI).

[DoNotRefill]

29. The NRA has NOT Endorsed Bush yet.

and if he were to sign the AW ban renewal, I doubt that they would.

[DoNotRefill]

31. The NRA routinely endorses my candidate for the house...

who is a (D). Last election cycle, they endorsed him over a Republican with an A rating from them.

I suggest you don't believe everything about the NRA that you read on an anti-gun website. A lot of it is absolute crap.

For instance, did you know that the NRA filed a suit against the government over the Campaign Finance Reform Act on First Amendment grounds? Do you know who was their co-plaintiff? The ACLU.

[mhr]

5. Warriors For TRUTH - Instead Of - Warriors For GOD

I like it!

[BlackVelvetElvis]

10. There is a pro gun gay group called the pink pistols

I don't know what their political affiliation (if any) is but my guess would probably be in the ballpark.

[leftyandproud]

11. You don't need ANYTHING other than a single handgun

five shots...with a mandatory trigger lock
That is all people should be allowed to own. Why do you need anything else? It only takes ONE bullet to kill someone anyway.

[DoNotRefill]

18. Fine.

so, when are they going to start mandating that the First Amendment only applies to pen and paper? After all, you don't NEED a computer...

[JayS]

21. This is why we will never have a liberal NRA-type organization. n/t

n/t

[Bombtrack]

12. There is, the The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

.

[JayS]

20. Que? n/t

n/t

[Don_G]

13. If Someone Can Establish An Organization

That supports responsible ownership and basic safety programs without oppressive restrictions AND in a non-partisan way, I would support it.

I can see the need for pistols, rifles and shotguns but not assault weapons or Kevlar-piercing ammo for example.

Keep plinking and hunting an enjoyable hobby and we all benefit. Just ask the drivers on the Interstates who meet deer that are bent on committing suicide.

[Munnin]

14. I would join

As a meat eating, gun owning, dear hunting, x-military Liberal I would love this kind of organization.

[DjTj]

24. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[FeebMaster]

17. Any ammo with a high enough velocity will punch through

kevlar. Pretty much anything used to hunt deer for instance.

[Wilber_Stool]

15. We do.

It's called NORMAL.

[Wilber_Stool]

16. We do.

It's called NORMAL.
Oops.

[Michael Costello]

19. Many Democrats/liberals/progressives are for the second amendment

A recent DU poll shows this is the #1 thing Democrats disagree with in the party platform here, far and away over anything else.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1547604

I am 100% against gun control. And no, I'm not from "the sticks", I live in a big city, where it's almost impossible to get a gun license.

The DLC (Democrats for the Leisure Class as Jesse Jackson calls them) is an awful organization, but they did a poll recently showing this position lost the Democrats elections in swing states. Not that I think the Democrats should abandon their principles (like standing behind organized labor and whatnot) to pick up a few votes but I think the leadership is making an error on this anyway.

[galadrium]

22. I am all for it, somebody start one and let me know

I enjoy shooting guns, but I hate the NRA. What is a liberal like me to do?

[ElkHunter]

25. I'm with you on this!

Besides shooting, I also like to hunt and I detest the NRA. Most hunters I know are conservationists. Yet the NRA supports some of the most anti-conservation politicians in the nation. Contrary to what some on the left believe, people who hunt and fish should be our natural allies due to their environmental concerns. But the fight over gun issues has allowed the NRA to drive a wedge between hunters and environmentalists. Someone once told me that a conservationist is an environmentalist with a fishing rod and a gun. I agree with that sentiment.

Montana Democrats in recent years have been working hard to attract folks who hunt and fish back to the Democratic party. They have done so by talking forthright about Second Amendment issues and becoming defenders of hunting and fishing in their state. Other Democrats would do well to follow their example.

[TheWizardOfMudd]

32. Guns kill. That's what they're made for.

You want a hobby or a skill? Try basketball, golf, woodwork, video games or model airplanes.

Rednecks use guns to kill animals. That's sick.

Criminals use guns, too.

I have a .38 police special in my room if I ever need it. It has never been fired though I know how. I pray to God I never have to use it.

Hobby MY ASS.

And don't lecture me about gun training. I'm cool as a cucumber and and a billion times smarter.

[FeebMaster]

33. You should come down to the dungeon.

You'd fit right in.

[DoNotRefill]

34. people who claim to be cool...

generally aren't. YMMV.

[TheWizardOfMudd]

35. Yea?

Well, don't stereotype me.

[tom_paine]

37. You stereotyped yourself

Don't blame the messenger if your don't like the message.

True.

[TheWizardOfMudd]

39. No I didn't. You stereotyped me.

You lumped me in with everyone who claims to be cool. You thought that meant that I am not cool, without knowing anything about me personally.

People don't stereotype themselves by describing themselves. Strangers stereotype people they don't know.

You stereotyped me because I don't like your message.

[DoNotRefill]

44. He didn't stereotype you at all.

Do try to follow who posts what....

[DoNotRefill]

38. I'm not stereotyping you...

notice the word "generally". I don't know you, and don't know if you prove the rule or are an exception to it.

Stereotyping you would be saying "people who claim to be cool are not." That's not what I said, is it?

[TheWizardOfMudd]

40. Then to whom was your message directed?

Besides me?

[DoNotRefill]

41. it was a general observation...

of the human condition.

[TheWizardOfMudd]

42. You responded to my post

I said that I am cool. You retorted that most people who say that are not cool. You can't wiggle out of it now. You stereotyped me as not cool.

[DoNotRefill]

43. Darling...I did no such thing.

"You retorted that most people who say that are not cool."

"You stereotyped me as not cool."

I stated a general part of the human condition. I left proving that you're not cool to you, and it looks like you're doing a pretty good job of it so far.

Stereotyping is observing a group characteristic, and then applying it to EVERYBODY in the group, regardless of if they fit it or not. I didn't say "you're not cool because you say you're cool", I said that people who say they are cool generally are not. I then put "YMMV" after it. Since it appears that you're not "hip on the lingo", "YMMV" means "Your Mileage May Vary", and is a qualifier.

If you want to accuse me of something, fine. But DO try not to make shit up, and put words in my mouth that I didn't say.

NEXT!!!!!

[TheWizardOfMudd]

45. You can pretend all you want

Your plain and simple message was that, since I stated that I am cool, and since generally if someone claims to be cool they are not, that I am not cool.

Nothing in in your post, which was specifically directed toward me, indicated that I do not fit into the general category.

Nice try on the backtracking, though.

I KICKED YOUR ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DoNotRefill]

46. Fuck it, you're not cool.

I base this assessment not upon your claiming "cool" status, but by your puerile posts, lack of attention to detail, and lack of comprehension of the subtleties of what appears to be your native tongue.

Please try again...preferably AFTER you've completed puberty.

;)

On edit: typos

[TheWizardOfMudd]

47. Huh uh! First one to say "fuck it" and make a puberty joke is not cool!

Heh heh. YOU BLEW IT!!!!!!!!

I am so cool.

[DoNotRefill]

48. I never claimed "cool" status.

In fact, IMHO, I'm very "uncool". That comes from being a middle aged married and crippled J.D.. On the other hand, I DO get "laid" regularly. :evilgrin:

[TheWizardOfMudd]

49. Well, we have some things in common

Except the getting laid regularly part. ;)

[DoNotRefill]

50. So, now you're saying...

you're an uncool, handicapped, middle aged married man with a J.D. who doesn't get laid?

WHATS WRONG WITH YOU!!!!! ;)

(just funnin ya!!!)

[tom_paine]

36. THAT'S A GREAT IDEA!!!!

WOW!!!!

:bounce: :bounce:

BRILLIANT!!!

If someone, creates it, I'll join the next day!

[libcurious]

51. The NRA sucks

They are nothing but a fear mongering special interest group out to make themselves money.
If ANY group created an organization that believes in the second amendment as it was meant and written, I would sign up in a heartbeat. It was not created to ensure we could hunt or target practice. It was created to ensure administrations like this one don't keep themselves in power against our wishes.