Shoot Him An E-Mail
Michael Coleman, mayor of Columbus, Ohio, deserves an "atta boy" e-mail from all of us for supporting a ban on assault weapons. In return for his efforts, those warm and cuddly folks at the NRA have pulled out their 2007 convention, costing Columbus businesses $15 - $20 million. This (the NRA) is the same group who lacked the good manners to stay out of Denver following the Columbine shootings even after city leaders asked them to move their convention. Maybe a good old-fashioned shoot-out would lure the NRA back.
"When freedom comes back to Columbus," said NRA Executive Vice Prez Wayne LaPierre, "we will come back to Columbus" but not, apparently, until they can bring their semiautomatic rifles with pistol grips and detachable magazines.
The NRA would have lost a bundle in exhibitor fees because the banned weapons couldn't be sold during the three-day convention. And the organization really doesn't like it when local municipalities make their own gun laws. Forty states (mostly with the help of the NRA) have passed "pre-emptive" laws which disallow local firearm legislation. Ohio's state constitution strongly supports local control and, since Mr. Coleman has his eyes on the governor's seat, the NRA has a lot at stake in Columbus.
The Ohio Commission on the Prevention of Injury says firearms are responsible for 57% of all homicides and suicides in Ohio. If you are an African American male between the ages of 20-29 living in an urban area, you are the largest target for firearm violence in Ohio. It's easy for affluent white males like LaPierre to see gun control as a restriction on freedom, but for inner city residents, gun restrictions are a public health issue -- or, in the words of the Bush Administration, necessary to protect a "culture of life." So, tell Columbus city officials you support their right to make the best decisions for their citizens (and maybe encourage your professional organization to hold their next convention in beautiful downtown Columbus).
You can write Mayor Coleman at mac@columbus.gov. Atta boy, Mike.
posted by Holly G @ 10:01 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
It's surprising how quickly people are willing to give up their freedom to government and government officials they have no reason to trust.
Take Mayor Nipples, for example. This guy is an example of Victorian Age conservatism meeting contemporary gender feminism, and the result is Seattle-style totalitarianism. This guy will tax you to the max, then tell you that you can only go within four feet of a woman?
Gender feminism gone wild. The next step is to give up your rights to government, allowing to go to tyrany, and then find yourself being raped repeatedly by the son of a King.
Huh? The last comment is a little, shall we say politely (although I sure hope I'm not branded like the Mayor by the writer for affirming this), crazy...?
The NRA should hold all of its conventions in Tombstone, Ariz., in honor of the famous shootout. I've been there, and it is pretty desolate. Heck, in between sessions, the NRA guys can run down to the border and be "Minutemen" -- pretending they are helping Border Patrol agents. Actually, they're just overly hormonal and trigger happy. The Army probably denied all of 'em -- too scary.
Ugh. Can we just send these nuts somewhere and have a new Progressive Era?
-- L.
I have to say I am a huge supporter of the right to bear arms. Why? Well because people kill people, guns don’t kill people. Period.
I realize that may not be the view of those that read this blog, but it is really the only "right wing" part of my personality.
Many other countries have laws in fact requiring the possession of firearms in each home and their crime rates are unbelievably low. Think about it for just a second. For starters, robbers, rapists and muggers are after your stuff and they want it with as little struggle as possible. Most robbers wont break glass for instance because it brings attention to them. Most rapists/muggers carry guns because they know most women don’t!
If we as Americans were required (or exercised our rights) to carry a firearm (and know how to use it) it would be logical to assume that these criminals would think twice before entering your home or helping themselves to your purse or your body.
The problem with most gun carrying women is they don’t know how to use it. It sits in the closet or locked in the gun safe and its there "just in case." Well let me say this, possessing a gun makes both sides equal. You could be a 5'2" 101lb woman up against Hulk Hogan and the second you have a gun and aren’t afraid to use it, the sides become at least equal.
My favorite is women who call themselves strong, independent, modern feminists and are all for gun control. Honey--if you want equal rights, buy a hand gun! We as women need to wake up and get a clue!
Gun safety is at the top of my list, but having one and not knowing how to use it is just as bad as not having one at all. God help the asshole that EVER tries to assault me. I have no fear of pulling and using a firearm to protect myself or my family.
That's funny. I thought people usually use firearms on their families.
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