The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Politics & RKBA => Topic started by: Hazcat on March 03, 2009, 08:31:05 PM
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Letter to Eric Holder on Assault Weapons Ban
By Ray Schoenke at March 2, 2009 - 1:20pm
I thought I would share with all of you the letter I sent to Attorney General Eric Holder on February 26th:
February 26, 2009
Mr. Eric Holder
United States Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Dear Mr. Holder:
Congratulations on your appointment and confirmation as Attorney General of the United States. I am writing to address your recent comments about the renewal of the federal assault weapons, which I read in The Hill today. This raises grave concerns for me and other law-abiding gun owners. I strongly urge you to reconsider this effort.
For the past four years, I have served as President of the American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA). We are a gun rights organization with a commitment to protecting our environment, preserving open spaces and keeping our communities safe. Then-candidate Obama shared many of our views and we endorsed his candidacy last April. I was honored to serve as a surrogate for the campaign. Last fall, I spent a great deal of time talking to gun owners, many of whom were union members, on behalf of the Obama-Biden ticket through over 40 appearances in Ohio, Minnesota, Florida and Colorado. I also did a radio ad, which was broadcast nationally, and was featured in the campaign's direct mail. Barack Obama's election was critically important for the future of our nation and to the million of gun owners, like me, who voted for him.
That is the reason I want to address the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, which passed in 1994 in the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and expired on September 13, 2004. It is my understanding that the Obama administration continues to state its intention to reinstate that ban. I would strongly encourage you to negate that effort. The assault weapons ban is an issue of great import to America's law-abiding hunters and shooters, who I represent through my role as President of AHSA. But, this issue shouldn't be based on politics, it's about policy.
Most importantly, as studies have shown, the law had no measurable effect on crime reduction and created an easily avoidable template for gun manufacturers to work around. Instead, the law demonized lawful gun owners and became a lightning rod for a decade long public debate over gun crime that merely served to divert time and resources from our already over-burdened law enforcement agencies. Frankly, it has been an unnecessary distraction. Gun owners support efforts to keep our communities safe. We just want those policies directed at the root cause of crime and violence and not just symbolism, which is how the Washington Post accurately described the ban back in 1994.
Since the Federal Assault Weapons Ban's enactment, the studies analyzing its effect showed there was no statistical significant evidence that it reduced gun crimes. In fact, two studies prepared for the United States government confirm that fact: The Department Of Justice-funded study issued in July of 2004 titled "Updated Assessment of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban: Impacts on Gun Markets and Gun Violence, 1994-2003" and the Center for Disease Control's Task Force on Community Preventive Services report "First Reports Evaluating the Effectiveness of Strategies for Preventing Violence: Firearms Laws" issued in October of 2003.
The Federal Assault Weapons Ban's major thrust, which was based on a political compromise between competing bills in the U.S. Senate, was to ban the manufacture and sale of certain gun models that had two or more of the following features, considered by most to be merely cosmetic: pistol grip, folding/collapsible stock, flash suppressor/muzzle brake, large-capacity detachable magazine, bayonet mounting point, and a grenade launcher mounting point. However, manufacturers just put these features on guns in variable combinations instead of using an "all-in-one" approach, meaning that post-ban guns sold were effectively duplicates of pre-ban guns with a mix and match of the isolated features. The new law became a "charade."
The Federal Assault Weapons Ban also prohibited the production of large capacity ammunition feeding devices (clips) that carried more than 10 rounds. However, large pre-ban clips were always available, albeit with a higher price point, from dealers, on the internet, at gun shows, or from international sources (especially from former Warsaw Pact countries that had large quantities of AK-47 magazines of various capacities that could fit a variety of both pre-ban and post-ban AK-47 variants). Again, the law was meaningless.
In addition, law abiding sport shooters, collectors, self-defense advocates and hunters who bought semi-automatic replicas of military ordinance felt they had become targets of over-reaching law enforcement agencies because of the demonization of their lawfully owned guns or what they thought was a lawful hobby. This caused a chilling of support for law enforcement by an untold number of citizens who would never imagine themselves as law-breakers, which is exactly the opposite response you would hope to get from legislation intended to fight crime.
Finally, since the ban was first enacted back in 1994, there has been a major development in the interpretation of the Second Amendment, which must also be considered. The decision in Heller v. District of Columbia established the principle that citizens have the right to keep and bear arms. The Supreme Court decision must guide your thinking as you proceed.
We share your commitment to reducing crime and gun violence. We believe, as law-abiding gun owners, the way to do that is not by banning guns, but by making sure that criminals, terrorists and people who can harm themselves and others do not get guns. Law-abiding gun-owners will overwhelmingly support your efforts along those lines. Again, I applaud your long-standing service to our country and defense of the Constitution. I do however ask you work to ensure that any law enforcement legislation the administration proposes aimed at reducing gun crime in our communities will actually lower gun crime. Policy considerations should dictate this decision.
Sincerely,
Ray Schoenke, President
American Hunters and Shooters Association
http://www.huntersandshooters.org/taxonomy/term/139
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YES! Very shocking indeed.
The AHSA has at times shown itself not to have true 2nd Amendment defense at its forefront.
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Could be just a token gesture to give them a little street cred as a legit gun group...... then they will give their blessing some where down the road and it will be powerful ammo for Brady and the other gun grabbers..... "See, responsible gun owners want us to ban these types of weapons".
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Who wrote that letter and what did he do with Schoenke?
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Ya think all those gun owners he talked into voting for O told him to write the letter or face a firing squad?
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I put this letter through my superdupercaptainovaltine decoder ring
<Translation>
Dear Obama Acolyte:
We voted for a Democrat and we thought he wouldn't want to take our guns away. I know we must have been stupid F%&*%^* idiots because we knew what he was when we got in bed with him and should not be surprised by what we get...but we are.
Please don't let us feel like we are total imbiciles and give us HOPE that everything will be all right.
Sincerely
YOURstupidIDIOTfellowAMERICANSthatCAN'TseeTHEtruth.
<Translation Ended>
Hmmmmm...what do you make of that? ;)
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I put this letter through my superdupercaptainovaltine decoder ring
<Translation>
Dear Obama Acolyte:
We voted for a Democrat and we thought he wouldn't want to take our guns away. I know we must have been stupid F%&*%^* idiots because we knew what he was when we got in bed with him and should not be surprised by what we get...but we are.
Please don't let us feel like we are total imbiciles and give us HOPE that everything will be all right.
Sincerely
YOURstupidIDIOTfellowAMERICANSthatCAN'TseeTHEtruth.
<Translation Ended>
Hmmmmm...what do you make of that? ;)
I think you got it about right.
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Sounds like the classic "if you lie down with dogs, expect to get fleas" type situation.
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Or if you pick up a serpent expect to get bitten.
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Who wrote that letter and what did he do with Schoenke?
Remember the "pod people" from "Bodysnatchers" I think this is one of them.
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Actually it was Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
For those unfamiliar here is a link to the trailer. For some reason there's been a renewed interest in the film lately.
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3014131993/ (http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3014131993/)
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Here is another letter that will be comming out soon:
Oh great and wonderful Emperor Obama,
There must have been an error at the IRS, you see I am a middle class union worker that voted for you, but my taxes went up. I know that it must be those evil conservatives led by your arch enemy Rush Limbaugh that infiltrated the great people's governement and tried to throw a wrench in your vision for a better America. Could you please look into it for me?
I am so grateful that you spent so much money bailing out banks and the pet projects of all your friends in Congress and back home, but my town doesn't have any police force anymore and I had to give up my home so a single mom with 14 kids from different fathers would have a place to live.
I also wanted to compliment you on your gun control measures, since we stripped the crazy religious fanatics I have not heard on one shooting at a NRA event or gun show. I am sure that the gang members who sell drugs out of the house next to my old one will feel safer knowing that they don't have to worry about getting shot by some crazy when they enter his home. The news even reported that our crimerate here in my town has fallen below that of our nation's capital, great work!
Also, the healthcare that you promised has not shown up in the mail for me to signup for so there must be Republicans working at the postal service too.
Your Devoted Voter
<Insert 52% of the voters here>
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Sounds like the classic "if you lie down with dogs, expect to get fleas" type situation.
If you lie down with Castro, expect to get socialism.
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If you lie down with Castro, expect to get socialism.
If you get your politician from the Illinois dem machine, don't act surprised if he is a liar and a crook.
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If you get your politician from the Illinois dem machine, don't act surprised if he is a liar and a crook.
Bullseye!
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If you get your politician from the Illinois dem machine, don't act surprised if he is a liar and a crook.
Yes...BANG::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::> ( x ) CLANG.
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or, vote for a socialist commy.....
ok, this just in, fox news reports that Obammy isn't a socialist, he's a progressive.
vote for a progressive and get bigger government.
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or, vote for a socialist commy.....
ok, this just in, fox news reports that Obammy isn't a socialist, he's a progressive.
vote for a progressive and get bigger government.
That's the problem with having so many younger voters. They don't know that Communists have refered to themselves as "Progressive" or "the progressive element" since at least the 1920's probably longer.
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Exactly. I don't know much difference between socialism, communism, and progressiveness.
when you get your political commentary from MTV and Obama Winfrey what do you expect?
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difference between socialism, communism, and progressiveness.
NONE
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Exactly. I don't know much difference between socialism, communism, and progressiveness.
when you get your political commentary from MTV and Obama Winfrey what do you expect?
Hell the big 'news' source to the uninformed is now comedy central with the Daily Report and Colbert! They ACTUALLY BELIEVE them!
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Hell the big 'news' source to the uninformed is now comedy central with the Daily Report and Colbert! They ACTUALLY BELIEVE them!
Yep. Don't forget D.L. Hugely on CNN. and the View.
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difference between socialism, communism, and progressiveness.
NONE
There are slight differences between socialism and communism; and not worth debating, just that they do exist.. They end up with the same net result, as neither factors in the overriding action of human greed (not a bad thing as capitalism is based on it), and the desire to succeed. Progressiveness is the same as communism. They (Progressives) talk of the middle class, but they want everyone (except themselves) smashed into the lowest common denominator.
Easiest example, raise taxes and promote class warfare; but they all seem to fail to pay their own taxes. Funny how that seems to be a common theme of the BHO cabinet of "do as I say, not as I do".
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or, vote for a socialist commy.....
ok, this just in, fox news reports that Obammy isn't a socialist, he's a progressive.
vote for a progressive and get bigger government.
A rose by any other name will still poke you in the ass if you sit on it's thorns.
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Excuse me for going all the way back to the beginning; but this is the same stupid, asshat, that spent millions of the organizations dollars to sell us on the fact that the candidate (now President) did not want our guns, to ban our guns, to restrict our guns, to register our guns, or to inhibit our Constitutional Rights!
That letter has been located, printed, and will be included in a letter from me to him stating that thanks, but too little tool late. However, I feel the need for a cooling down period enhanced by ethanol, followed by a nights sleep before writing.
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Excuse me for going all the way back to the beginning; but this is the same stupid, asshat, that spent millions of the organizations dollars to sell us on the fact that the candidate (now President) did not want our guns, to ban our guns, to restrict our guns, to register our guns, or to inhibit our Constitutional Rights!
That letter has been located, printed, and will be included in a letter from me to him stating that thanks, but too little tool late. However, I feel the need for a cooling down period enhanced by ethanol, followed by a nights sleep before writing.
No, No, Keep thinking about how every thing you own and have invested has lost half it's value since the Wisest One got nominated while your enhancing the ethanol, THEN WRITE. It will make the point SO much clearer, TRUST ME ! ;D