Anti-Gun Press Conference in Houston

[justwannashoot]

After receiving an email alert this afternoon from the Texas State Rifle Association (TSRA) about an event associated with Mayors Against Illegal Guns, I decided to go since it was very near where I work. The announcement that I received at 3:15 this afternoon for an event at 6:00 said:

Media Advisory: Texas Gun Owners To Urge Representative Gene Green To Support Common-Sense Background Checks At Press Conference on Thursday, August 29th.

HOUSTON -- Gun owners will gather in Houston on Thursday to call on Rep. Gene Green to support comprehensive background checks...

The address in the announcement was wrong 206 when the real address was 256, but I looked up Gene Green's office and knew where to go.
There were a total of 4 ladies and 1 man, so I was outnumbered, but not by much. The ladies represented an organization called Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and I think the man was the MAIG representative. The cameraman works for the local Univision channel and he said they also a agreement with the local ABC affiliate.
I engaged the ladies in a discussion before the press conference, and none of us made any headway, but we did speak civilly.
After the press conference, the cameraman asked if I wanted to present an opposing view. He interviewed me for several minutes and even filmed me driving off in my Jeep with TSRA magnets on it.
I'm anxiously awaiting the news tonight and tomorrow to see if any of it makes it to broadcast.

I tried to post a picture, but need to read the sticky about how to do it.

[justwannashoot]

Gun Control was the lead story on the local Univision station, but I didn't make the cut. They did show one of the anti-gun ladies speak.

[alfsauve]

Thanks for being there J.W.S.

MAIG is apparently trying to keep any opposition out by keeping the "tour" itinerary secret.  Unfortunately that cuts both ways.  Neither side is going to get a lot of supporters there.

But their purpose isn't really to have large rallies, but just to have an excuse for a press impression.  All they're trying to do is keep it in the news.  They have "an event" and issue a press release every week.  Keeps the pot stirred.

[justwannashoot]

The guy who was there told me that the MAIG bus would not be coming to Texas. Gee, I wonder why not...
When I asked him how many people were there earlier for the meeting with Representative Green, he said that he didn't want to say.
I then asked him if it was closer to 10 people or closer to 1000. He didn't want to say, but he said they had strong support in Houston. I even asked what media was going to be present and he didn't want to say. I think that because I was polite, and he just stonewalled, at that time the cameraman introduced himself and later interviewed me.

[tombogan03884]

Got this from NRA - ILA today, I don't know about the others but I know the quote from Nashua's Mayor is accurate, the liberals were making fun of her for quitting MAIG because she discovered they were after gun control.

 What Bloomberg's FORMER members of MAIG are saying...
   
     

"I was never an active member. They're not just against illegal guns, they're against all guns."

    - Mayor Bob Scott, Sioux City, Iowa

“It was a mistake really…They swindle you in and then put your name on the list.”

    - Mayor Keith Hoffman, East Berlin, Pennsylvania

"I am withdrawing because I believe the MAIG is attempting to erode all gun ownership, not just illegal guns. Additionally, I have learned that the MAIG may be working on issues which conflict with legal gun ownership. It appears the MAIG has misrepresented itself to the Mayors of America and its citizens. This is gun control, not crime prevention."

    - Former Mayor Patricia Shontz, Madeira Beach, Florida

"I became a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns based on my belief that this group would help in the fight against criminal gun use. After all, who isn't for making our communities safer by getting illegal guns off the streets and out of the hands of the wrong people? After careful consideration and after listening to the concerns of many of my constituents I have come to the conclusion that some of your organization's statements and actions can be construed as infringing on the rights of legitimate gun owners. Because of this, I request that you remove my name from your web site and from your membership lists."

    - Former Mayor Royce Pollard, Vancouver, Washington

"I do think the merit of having legal ownership is important. I don't think we should ever lose that in this country. If the Mayors Against Illegal Guns is slipping over into that, then it really disturbs me deeply."

    - Former Mayor Dave Munson, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

"I simply cannot be part of an organization that chooses this course of action instead of cooperatively working with those that have proven over a lifetime of work their true intentions."

    - Mayor Donnalee Lozeau, Nashua, New Hampshire

"I am withdrawing because you are attempting to erode all gun ownership, not just illegal guns. I have learned that the coalition may be working on issues which conflict with legal gun ownership, and that some actions on your behalf are dubious...Regrettably, it has become continuously clear to me that you are using this coalition of mayors to advance a hidden agenda of bringing lawsuits against members of the firearms industry and spreading anti-gun propaganda."

    - Former Mayor Marlene Anielski, Walton Hills, Ohio

"Sometime ago, I attended a meeting with many city officials from throughout the United States. At this meeting there was a table with the title "Mayors Against Illegal Guns." Not wanting illegal guns, I signed the form not knowing what kind of spin would ensue. As it turned out, I was against the 2nd amendment, etc. I have since been removed from the "Mayors Against Illegal Guns" movement. On our city website I have a letter to all stating my position. I'm not against the NRA, guns or hunting and never will be."

    - Mayor John D. Link, Edgewood, Kentucky

"It is simply unconscionable that this coalition, under your [Michael Bloomberg's] leadership, would call for a repeal of the Shelby/Tiahrt amendment that helps to safeguard criminal investigations and the lives of law enforcement officers, witnesses and others by restricting access to firearms trace data solely to law enforcement. How anyone, least of all a public official, could be willing to sacrifice such a law enforcement lifeline in order to gain an edge in suing an industry they have political differences with is repugnant to me. The fact that your campaign against this protective language consisted of overheated rhetoric, deception and falsehoods is disturbing."

    - Mayor Harry Moore, Oldmans Township, New Jersey

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