Legislative Report #6

Legislative Report #6 is now online.

Next week’s legislative agenda:

Assembly Agriculture Committee, Tuesday

A-1843, Includes wildlife animals as those subject to the animal cruelty provisions.

Assembly Codes Committee, Tuesday

A-3598, Requires the division of criminal justice services to report on handgun licenses.

Senate Codes Committee, Tuesday

S-2488, Relates to pistol permit privacy.

Get out of the drug law enforcement business

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.

Good move

You can tell that the NRA blowing off Obama was a smart move by the whining the leftist media is doing because of it.  See:

If Obama, the antis and their media allies were in a position of power they would not be acting this way.  They know the only way for them to win right now is for the NRA to cave.

Are these things related?

Daily News, “Mayor Bloomberg scolds nation for not standing up to gun lobby“:

“… Mayor Bloomberg scolded the nation Tuesday for failing to take on the gun lobby to restrict weapons sales …”

Bloomberg, “Mayor Bloomberg’s Voter-Approval Rate Tumbles to 39%, Poll Says“:

“… New York City voters disapprove of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s job performance, 51 percent to 39 percent, his lowest rating since November 2003, a Quinnipiac University poll said … The mayor … has also appeared since then on national television programs, such as NBC’s Meet the Press, discussing gun control …”

Response to Obama

The NRA is blowing off Obama’s request to work together for more gun control:

“… “Why should I or the NRA go sit down with a group of people that have spent a lifetime trying to destroy the Second Amendment in the United States?” said Wayne LaPierre …”

True, it’s not likely anything positive would come out of such a meeting.  USA Today also notes:

“… Given its political and financial strength, the NRA is probably in a position to block any new gun legislation, especially in the Republican-run House …”

Yes, but it goes deeper than that according to the latest polling:

“… Overall, 43% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the president’s performance. Fifty-seven percent (57%) disapprove …”

Obama isn’t acting from a position of strength either in Congress or with the public which doesn’t want more gun control either:

“… Voters were asked: “Please tell us if gun laws in America are adequate, too harsh, or too lenient for law-abiding citizens.”   An overwhelming 75% of voters think that gun laws are either adequate or too harsh for law-abiding citizens (33% think gun laws are too harsh). Also, 57% of Democratic voters consider gun laws to be adequate or too harsh, and only 36% think they’re too lenient …”

He doesn’t even have the support of his Democrat base on the issue.

Bottom line: gun control is going nowhere in this Congress.

Bad pick for FBI chief

Chuck Schumer is pushing to have NYPD commissioner Raymond Kelly take over as FBI chief when Robert Mueller retires later this year.

Not good.  Kelly is antigun and often acts as Mayor Bloomberg’s puppet on the issue.

Obama speaks

Obama penned an op-ed at the Arizona Daily Star over the weekend regarding gun control where he calls for improving NICS and enforcing existing laws.

Some thoughts on this:

  1. There’s no way the antis can be happy with this.  Brady, NYAGV, etc. were clearly going for magazine prohibition via H.R. 308.
  2. He didn’t say he was endorsing Schumer’s bill S-436, which curtains but does not outright prohibit private firearms transfers.  MAIG wants this and despite their press release I would guess they’re not very happy either.
  3. Obama goes out of his way not to offend gunnies: “… in fact, my administration has not curtailed the rights of gun owners – it has expanded them, including allowing people to carry their guns in national parks and wildlife refuges …”
  4. I don’t think Obama wants to deal with this issue and doesn’t plan to spend much political capital on it.  The op-ed comes across as a half-hearted effort designed more to silence his critics than make substantive policy.

Trying to intimidate Grimm

Fresh off the effort to try and intimidate Nan Hayworth, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence is trying the same thing with Michael Grimm:

“… In response to Tucson, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-Garden City) introduced legislation (H.R. 308) that would ban the manufacture, importation and transfer of large-capacity ammunition magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds … a group of concerned citizens (including the writers), clergy and victims of gun violence met with Congressman Michael Grimm to request his support of H.R. 308. While the meeting was cordial and much common ground was established his support for this vital legislation is still pending “further review.” …”

He’s blowing them off.  The bill is only about a page long.  It doesn’t take long to read it.

“… Among his concerns were the real world outcomes of implementing such a ban …”

Meaning the political consequences for him.

The last time I recall NYAGV trying to pressure Grimm’s predecessor Vito Fossella, they had less than a dozen people (which included NYAGV staff and opposition party functionaries) show up to protest outside his district office.  From a political standpoint, these people have nothing.  They don’t have money, they don’t have much of a constituency and they don’t have a voting block to help or hinder his re-election plans.  Grimm ought to continue ignoring them.