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I graduated from high school in 1964. I remember the NRA and their efforts to promote gun safety, and protect the rights of law-abiding citizens to own pistols, rifles, and shotguns. There was no objection to restrictions preventing pistols and rifles from having magazines which contained more than 20 rounds, or shotguns with three. Larger hunting rifles were equipped with a six-round magazine.

Until 1976 the NRA offered its members, and anyone else interested in owning a gun, suggestions for safe operation, maintenance, and storage in the home. They printed pamphlets, and offered classes to all gun enthusiasts.

Over 200 children, who gained access to loaded weapons in their home, the home of a relative, or a friend, die or kill someone else each year; that number is growing. Until 1976 the NRA suggested that if gun owners decided to keep them in their homes, the weapons should be unloaded, and the gun and ammunition be stored in separate, locked locations.

Today’s NRA gun lobby doesn’t care about gun safety. Every mass shooting by a domestic terrorist increases the sale of weapons of mass destruction. This NRA is concerned with increasing the profits of gun manufacturers and gun sellers; and nothing more.

The only “movement” I remember was an attempt to pass a law outlawing “Saturday night specials.” These were small, concealable handguns; the type used by Sirhan Sirhan, the man who murdered Robert F. Kennedy.

In the 1960’s the rules were acceptable to hunters, target range shooters, and other enthusiasts. Colt, Remington, Winchester, and other gun manufacturers were thriving.

According to Howell Raines: “A return to these basic restrictions on loadings would appeal to most hunters, firing-range shooters and gun collectors who battle the nonstop whirlpool of NRA paranoia. It would give members of Congress, including those from rural, pro-gun states, a sellable policy with a history of limiting mass shootings in public places while protecting the sporting and self-protection practices of law-abiding citizens. And it would reduce the body count from shootings in public places.”

The NRA claims to ‘protect the gun rights of enthusiasts,’ but doesn’t give a damn about you, your children or your friends who are currently in danger from domestic terrorists and their military style weapons and high-output magazines.

This is all common sense and would save lives. Sadly, traitors like Moscow Mitch McConnell and other right-wing politicians will refuse to give up the millions of dollars they receive each election year from the NRA gun lobby.

We elect our Representatives and Senators to serve our needs and wishes. When they serve only themselves, they must be removed from office.

Election day is November 3, 2020.

Tell everyone; “the truth lives here.”

Op-ed by James Turnage

SOURCE

Image courtesy of DonkeyHotey

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