" It's a shame that the NRA and other gun groups chose to align themselves almost exclusively with the GOP. Why should anyone in the federal government listen to them now?

--Not anti-gun, just anti-NRA. "

" Vrede better improve his research. The NRA endorsed our blow-hard governor and one of the most anti-military representatives in Congress,Jack Murtha. I still scratch my head over that one. "

" Erick,

Your arguments are all very logical and yes, we should punish the offenders and leave law abiding citizens alone. However, Gun Control is not about GUNS, it's about CONTROL!

Armed citizens can not be ruled and that is why the founders put the 2nd Amendment in the Constitution.

Every Gun owner has to keep this in mind when they vote. All other issues are secondary to Freedom. "

" A handful of exceptions don't change the reality, Ed. "

" Bud wrote: "... Armed citizens can not be ruled and that is why the founders put the 2nd Amendment in the Constitution... "

The debate over whether the founders intended to confer an individual right may never be completely settled. However, contrary to Bud's fantasy, their reason for authoring the 2nd Amendment is right in the text:

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State..."

At the time, citizens and the government were armed roughly equally. Today, it is hard to imagine the citizenry's personal firearms standing up effectively against tanks, fighter jets, cluster bombs, etc. "

" Sirs:
Might I remind you , the NRA is about the upholding of the 2nd ammendment....
It seems to me the represenitives of this great nation all swear on the Bible to "uphold and defend the constitution. Even the supreme court said so. A God given RIGHT is just that. Never forget what many died for to save your rights. "

" George Washington 1st President
….. “the government that we gave you, has the purpose of serving the people… If at anytime that government ceases in that service… the people have the right…no I say duty..to raise up and remove that government..”
and thats why they put the 2nd in the Bill of Rights, hunting and self protection are secondary "

" Seriously, when is enough too much? Protecting the Second Amendment has reminded me of Viet Nam, only we are the NVA, but in a cold war that has lasted far too long.

When did the Supreme Court's decisions begin to mean nothing?

In six decades of target shooting, I may have killed a mosquito between myself and the target, but no one has been harmed -- not even slightly so.

I tire of this. "

" "Today, it is hard to imagine the citizenry's personal firearms standing up effectively against tanks, fighter jets, cluster bombs, etc. "

Who said the people had to fight the military? The US civilian population doesn’t have to be able to defeat the military, we never did. The military isn’t the problem; it’s the people issuing the orders who are. One careful and discreet civilian, who was willing to die to make his point, could be armed with nothing but an average deer rifle and still do all the damage that needs to be done. And since our politicians know this, the existence of 90 million of those rifles in civilian hands is a profound restraint on their behavior. They should treat us with the respect that comes from knowing that if they don’t, it only takes one gun nut to cut all their ambition short. Even the most crooked politicians want to go home at the end of the day. "

" I'm shocked. If Obana said these things at a VPC fundraiser, WHY were they not publicized????

I'm sick of the attepmts to end run the second amendment. I plan on filing class action suits against EVERYONE that files an anti gun law in my state. Will they win? Probably, but it will send a message. Quit trying to do end runs around the citizens by uing scare tactics and and bribes. "

" People should have the 2nd amendment to make sure that a corrupt tyrannical government such has the one that will be in place cannot control the people of this country. This was why the 2nd amendment was created. "

" "Those individuals who have elected not to be law-abiding citizens should not be permitted to carry or possess a firearm"

Maybe those same people voted not based on gun views but based on the notion to stop wasting US tax dollars and sending our National Guard to guard the borders of another nation when Russia is right at our back door. Or perhaps they voted to stop the pillaging of funds meant for our education system, both college, high school, and middle school. "

" As president, Obama may very well attempt to pass these illegal laws such as are mentioned. He obviously also has plans for those of us who will take to the streets with armed disagreement. He will not pass these laws nor will Congress. I have no delusions that the Messiah would send his government assassins to murder me and any one else that stands in his way to the great Socialist utopia, but this 70 year old will not be enslaved.
"An unarmed people is an enslaved people"
"A disarmed people is a conquered people".
"The American people pretend to be Free; The Rulers in Washington pretend to Agree".
The Macy's Christmas Baby of 1938
approves this message
It is offered under the protections of the 1st and 2nd Amendments to the United States Constitution as ratified Jan. 15, 1791
Death to Tyrants and Swindlers. "

" I know it's sacrilege to both sides but I'm fairly neutral on the issue. Honestly though, some of you are making the case for gun control better than a liberal ever could. "

" One would think that because the world has become such a dangerous place for Americians having a well armed population would be a blessing. We all know that the local Police have on Constitutional duty to protect us. Who will be our front line defense if not out armed citizens. Better be thankful for the Second Ammendment and law abiding citizens to own semi automatic pistols and rifles. "

" Verde
The NRA backed many Pro Second Amendment Dems, and went against more than a few Anti 2nd Amendment Repubs. The NRA isn’t perfect, but it's better than nothing.
And to your argument that the civilians are outgunned by the military;
True. 80 some years of back handed anti 2A laws have made that so, But...
The VC did a pretty good job. And badly armed insurrections have prevailed often enough. The main purpose of the 2nd A, is that we should never need to go to that extreme. Sadly, the closer we get to becoming just another Euro- type Socialist State, the closer we come to insurrection. "

" " As president, Obama may very well attempt to pass these illegal laws such as are mentioned. He obviously also has plans for those of us who will take to the streets with armed disagreement. He will not pass these laws nor will Congress. I have no delusions that the Messiah would send his government assassins to murder me and any one else that stands in his way to the great Socialist utopia, but this 70 year old will not be enslaved.
" "An unarmed people is an enslaved people"
"A disarmed people is a conquered people".
"The American people pretend to be Free; The Rulers in Washington pretend to Agree".
The Macy's Christmas Baby of 1938
approves this message
It is offered under the protections of the 1st and 2nd Amendments to the United States Constitution as ratified Jan. 15, 1791
Death to Tyrants and Swindlers. " "

Amen "

" I couldn,t agree more with this writers opinion. Punish the lawbreaker, not law abiding gun owners. "

" Simple: 1. Repeal Second Amendment. 2. Let state & local jurisdictions decide what they want to do re: controlling guns. "

" It occurs to me that the previous assault weapon ban and other measures have imploded on themselves. Let us not forget that when the first one was enacted it resulted in the rightful ousting of many legislators that voted for it. That is why that most won't bring it up, except for diehard anti-gun fanatics like charles schumer, even if they are commited to their collective goal of citizen disarmament. I personally love the fact that the election of a super majority has resulted in a buying frenzy of citizens that wish to uphold their Second Amendment rights. I was at a gun show today and noticed that the crowd seemed much more diverse and mainstream than the normal group. People who would have previously been content with a hunting rifle, maybe a couple of shotguns, a handgun for personal protection, and just enough ammunition to load each firearm a couple of times, are now armed with an AK 47 (or two), an AR 15 (or two), at least two dozen magazines for each, and about 2000 round of ammunition...on the low end. I would like to congratulate President elect Obama and many other members of the Democratic party for inspiring so many more Americans to become adequately armed, and not for hunting, or personal protection alone, but with the true spirit and intention of the Second Amendment at heart and and in mind. Afterall, it is for people like them that it was written in the first place. "

" WHY does anyone need an assault weapon? Denying someone assault weapons does NOT stop you from owning every other type of gun.
How many guns does one person need to defend themselves?
I only need one.
Do you really think our founding fathers meant the 2nd amendment to include assault weapons? I don't think so.
I think many gun lovers cannot be reasonable and realize that common sense can prevail. No one is trying to take away 2nd amendment rights...just these assault weapons that really have no business being in anyone's home. "

" The problem is that the far left does not get it. They have not clue whats so ever. What will it take for the far left to get to their head that you will never stop a crook from getting gun? Crooks do not buy guns from gun dealers and they do not buy them from gun shows they buy their guns from the black market industry where they can buy a cheep knock off band gun with no serial numbers for a cheep price.

They is somthing that Austraila goverment does not get to their nead at all. "

" I think the gun-banners have forgot one important fact: We don't have to keep with the law. It's not a forgone conclusion that we gun owners are so weak-kneed that we will surrender our arms without a fight. 'There Will Be Blood' should be the proper title to this 'end-run game.' The Vieit-Cong did well without gun or ammunition factories. There's much to learn from our former enemies. I'm not turning my sword into no plowshare! c "

" Vrede first of all you do not know what the hell you are talking about.
The NRA is Neuteral with Polictions.
As an NRA Member we support both Republicans and Democracts who understand the purpose of freedom and liberty that the founding fathers have grated this great nation. Unfortuntley is just happens to be more Democracts who are anti-gun then pro-gun.
The Democract Party was once the Party of Freedom and Liberty but now its has been taken over by the Communist Party . The Democract Party has abandon the pricipals of Harry S.Trumen and they the Dumbocract support McCarthyism. "

" I am a Democrat, but I agree with you completely. It defies sanity to think that by outlawing certain types of firearms you will keep criminals from having them. Outlawing assault rifles and making it harder to get guns only penalizes law abiding citizens, because criminals don't really care if the are legal or not. That said, While I support what the NRA stands for (Gun rights), I cannot in good conscience join them as long as they continue to support corrupt GOP candidates from the far right. "

" Irony:

Richard wrote:

"... the far left does not get it. They have not clue... " and "Dumbocract"

followed by:

"whats so ever, getting gun, cheep knock off band gun, cheep price, somthing, nead, Neuteral with Polictions, have grated this great nation. Unfortuntley, Democracts (x 4), has abandon the pricipals of Harry S.Trumen".

Should there be a literacy test for gun ownership? "

" If a person is not afraid to rob a bank, do you thank that they will care about any kind of gun weapons ban? Why support criminals?There punishments soould not be cut short. Our forefathers and all those who fought for our freedoms are turning in there graves.Look up the definition of government.It appears we are headed towards a money worshiping dictatorship.I pray we don't have to fight for our rights and freedom again. "

" all I have to pass on is a quote
"THE ONLY THING NECESSARY FOR THE TRIUMPH OF EVIL IS FOR GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING"edmund burke
ALL YOU GUN OWNERS WHO SAT STILL AND DID NOT VOTE AND LET GUN OWNERS LIKE ME CARRY THE LOAD.....YOU DESERVE WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO GET....
ME...... I'LL FIGHT...TO QUOTE A PATRIOT "from my cold dead hand"....CHARLETON HESTON "

" " WHY does anyone need an assault weapon? Denying someone assault weapons does NOT stop you from owning every other type of gun.
How many guns does one person need to defend themselves?
I only need one.
Do you really think our founding fathers meant the 2nd amendment to include assault weapons? I don't think so.
I think many gun lovers cannot be reasonable and realize that common sense can prevail. No one is trying to take away 2nd amendment rights...just these assault weapons that really have no business being in anyone's home. "

Remember "Assault Weapons" is just a term made up by anti's, an "assault weapon" is simply a mean looking rifle.

And who are you to say what someone needs or desn't need. Do you need a Gas hungry SUV, do you need a 50" plasma tv, or do you even need any car that goes over 70MPH??? Should we then ban anything the govt thinks you don't NEED? "

" "Assault weapons ban must not be revived" is the heading of your letter. There is no mention or justification for individuals reatining assault rifles. Personally I have never seen an occasion in this country when a private citizen has needed an assault weapon and very few instances when law enforcement needed them. "

" As a retired member of the armed forces, I don’t believe the military would become directly involved in a civil uprising. Remember that the military is comprised of American citizens that have an interest in the survival of this great country. The socialists that are trying to change the direction of this country are no friends of the standing military. The military is sworn to protect the constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic.

Should the few elitist politicians’ heading the civilian portion of the government attempt to limit or take away freedoms guaranteed in the constitution, which would force such an uprising, I believe the military commanders would stand down. Their objective would be to protect our sovereign borders from a third party involvement trying to influence the outcome.

I also believe that the political climate we’re embarking on will cause major changes in our country in the next fifty to one hundred years. In these times, our country will face the greatest challenges and may morph into something quite unlike what we have today.

However, back to the discussion, the second amendment was put in place to protect not only the constitution, but the newly formed country of free men. And is as much needed today as it was two hundred fifty years ago.

Just a thought. "

" Well then, what is the intent of the second amendment? I believe Mr Jefferson spoke about it- seein's as he wrote it, he ought to know what it means. I quote-"the finest insurance against a corrupt government is an armed populace" ... and " the primary value of the second amendment is this- as a last resort against tyranny". This sounds more to me like the owning of firearms by law-abiding citizens falls beyond constitutional right and more into the realm of 'sacred duty'... after all, Jefferson and his associates had just overthrown a legitimate government because of a tax on tea... and stamps... that the colonies had no vote on. Jefferson did not want to see that effort lost to future bloating of governmental powers.
BTW- When did we as a people vote for a pay raise to either congress or the senate? ... just thought I'd ask... "

" This bill is sponsored by 5 Republicans. Ironic isn't it? As a gun owner myself, I see no need for an Uzi, Tec-9 or AR-15 in the private sector. If you need one for hunting, you shouldn't be in the forest. The problem now, is that we have no way to get these off the streets. Law enforcement deserves a fighting chance. What's the harm in reinstating the ban? "