The NRA sent out another presser on the UN Arms Control Treaty, “How The United Nations Endangers Your Firearm Freedom“:
“At the end of this month, United Nations delegates will descend upon New York City to continue working out the details of their Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), which is expected to be released for ratification this summer. Although the supposed purposes of that treaty might sound good, the reality behind the rhetoric is that it’s likely to contain a wide variety of schemes–from microstamping and gun registration to outright bans and confiscation–that could devastate your Second Amendment rights … Today, the White House is evidently less interested in protecting the rights of the American people than in pandering to the likes of Mexican President Felipe Calderùn. In a speech to the U.S. Congress last year, Calderùn dishonestly suggested that the 2004 sunset of the “assault weapon” ban and the legal trade in conventional firearms here in the U.S. are somehow to blame for the horrific drug gang violence in Mexico. So don’t be surprised when the gun haters try to force “global gun control” down our throats on the pretext of protecting Mexico from narco-terrorism …”
In an attempt to protect US citizens, ATF has been involved in a much publicized initiative called “Operation Fast & Furious” whereby smugglers were allowed to purchase firearms in the US and transfer them to Mexico with the hopes that they would lead to high-level cartel operatives. This blew up in their face when a border patrolman was killed last year with one of the smuggled guns. Some agents then outted the OFF program.
NRA jumped on this calling for Congressional hearings hoping that would stop calls for more gun regulations:
“… In a March 9 letter to House and Senate leaders, Chris Cox, the NRA’s top lobbyist, argues that law enforcers already “have sufficient laws at their disposal to address this crisis.” “Current and proposed laws that simply affect honest Americans shouldn’t be any part of that plan,” Cox wrote. “We are clearly at a critical point on this issue. Without aggressive enforcement of existing laws, the situation on the border will continue to deteriorate, claiming the lives of innocent citizens and law enforcement personnel alike.” …”
When Obama brought up the gun issue, NRA responded with this:
“… “contact every U.S. Attorney and ask them to bring at least 10 cases per month against drug dealers, gang members and other violent felons caught illegally possessing firearms. By prosecuting these criminals in federal court – rather than state court – strong sentencing guidelines would apply and charges would not be plea-bargained or dismissed, nor would criminals be released after serving only a fraction of their sentences. This simple directive would result in roughly 12,000 violent criminals being taken off the streets every year” …”
Here’s where the problems begin. NRA is lumping drug dealers in with violent thugs who prey upon others. While there is no doubt that Mexican drug cartels engage in violence, they only do so when they are protecting their trade, much like Al Capone and other gangsters during prohibition. This separates them from rapists, thieves and murderers who engage in violence for their own gratification. More importantly, the reason there are drug dealers in the first place is because people want to buy drugs for recreational use. If the product was not in high demand, there would not be people selling it. The same cannot be said of the others who do their thing irrespective of public opinion.
When NRA makes this call for prosecuting drug dealers they are ultimately creating problems for themselves. I’m not a big fan of the ACLU, but they are absolutely correct with their drug policy statement:
“… The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) opposes criminal prohibition of drugs. Not only is prohibition a proven failure as a drug control strategy, but it subjects otherwise law-abiding citizens to arrest, prosecution and imprisonment for what they do in private. In trying to enforce the drug laws, the government violates the fundamental rights of privacy and personal autonomy that are guaranteed by our Constitution …”
As has been shown, the government also violates the fundamental rights of citizens to keep and bear arms.
I believe NRA should get out of the drug law enforcement business. It isn’t necessary to get involved with drug legalization efforts. That issue isn’t part of their charter. What they ought to do is recognize their current policy stance is counterproductive to their core mission and disassociate themselves from drug law enforcement efforts.