A call to arms against the NRA The gun-huggers at the National Rifle Association will not be holding their 2007 convention, as had been planned, in Columbus, Ohio. Lucky Columbus. Of course, the NRA would never even consider N.Y.C. This city does not believe in blowing the heads off small animals. Or people. Which is why it wants to get tougher on illegal weapons. Guess what group is opposed?
City officials are trying to cut off the plague of weapons at its source by suing gun makers and distributors that carelessly deliver their wares to unscrupulous dealers who, in turn, sell to criminals. It's a strategy any levelheaded politician would love - but the NRA and its pals in Congress are doing their darnedest to keep the supply lines open.
Bills headed for votes in the House and the Senate would grant gunmakers immunity from lawsuits like New York's. In other words, the manufacturers could turn a blind eye to the 1% of dealers who are responsible for 60% of the illegal guns on the streets.
The city isn't trying to bankrupt the industry; it's not even seeking monetary damages. It merely wants manufacturers to adopt basic safeguards to prevent weapons from falling into criminal hands.
Although the manufacturers tried to get the case dismissed, it's heading for a trial - perhaps as soon as this fall - in Brooklyn Federal Court. Rather than defend their behavior before a New York City jury, they turned to Second Amendment zealots in Congress, knowing they'd be willing to throw common sense out the window.
Last year, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton and the rest of the New York delegation led the fight to block the outrageous law, weighting it down with unfriendly amendments until even the sponsor refused to support it. Now, emboldened by Republican victories in last year's elections, supporters of this bill have made it even worse - adding a clause that would block not just lawsuits, but also "administrative proceedings" by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other regulators.
Mayor Bloomberg is calling on New Yorkers to contact their representatives in Washington and urge a no vote on this dangerous legislation. We've dodged the bullet before; we can do it again.
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/331251p-283026c.html :roll:
