published: Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Where have gun policies left us?

Editor:

Where have America's gun policies left us? The United States is the only country in the world where police routinely wear bulletproof vests. In a recent letter, someone defined the "militia" as every man over 17 with a gun. Why do our police need so much protection from our own "militia?"

Why are our politicians so afraid of the National Rifle Association, the NRA? Let's look at the 2012 U.S. Senate race. In Maine, the NRA endorsed Republican Charlie Summers, who was defeated by Angus King, an Independent. In Missouri, the NRA endorsed Republican Todd Akin, who was defeated by Democrat Claire McCaskill. In the gun-friendly state of Virginia, the NRA endorsed Republican George Allen, who was defeated by Democrat Timothy Kaine. In Wisconsin, the NRA endorsed Republican Tommy Thompson, who was defeated by Democrat Tammy Baldwin. In Ohio, the NRA endorsed Republican Josh Mandel, who was defeated by Democrat Sherrod Brown.

Then there's Florida, where the NRA endorsed Republican Connie Mack, who was defeated by Senator Bill Nelson.

According to mediamatters.org, the NRA spent almost $18 million on the 2012 election. Does this money come from members' dues and selling hats and bumper stickers? Much of it comes from the arms industry. The San Antonio Express-News estimates that gun and ammunition manufacturers have given between $22 million and $63 million to the NRA since 2005.

The NRA had worked closely with ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council. ALEC's Public Safety Task Force worked at getting more states to adopt laws like Florida's Stand Your Ground law. In April, ALEC disbanded the Task Force, after the Trayvon Martin killing. The reaction from the public was simply too negative. Mediamatters.org quite accurately calls Stand Your Ground a "Kill at Will" law.

The NRA is proud of its role in teaching the public to use firearms. Last summer the NRA lost a court case in Michigan and had to pay out $75,000, we learn, from a Brady Center newsletter. A NRA firearms instructor, Thomas Simpson, accidentally shot a person taking the class, Terry Gonser, in the face, causing serious injury.

Dale L. Gillis

Sebring