— NRA remains on the sidelines

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

The Washington Post corroborates what Gun Owners of America has been hearing on Capitol Hill.  Top Democrat leaders in the House are trying to make another go at the DISCLOSE Act… and they think they are very close to getting the votes to pass it.  According to the Post article from yesterday:

Democrats are “in striking distance of getting the votes” for the package, which would require corporations, nonprofit groups [like GOA] and unions to disclose details about their political spending.

The big news last week was a “carve out” that Democrat leaders made to exempt the NRA from the provisions of the bill.  This week, in order to gain more votes, there is talk about exempting many more non-profit organizations — which may include GOA.

Our answer to Congress is simple and is found in the First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech.”  In other words, NO DEAL.  

The NRA claims, in a widely circulated letter, that “some of our critics believe we should put the Second Amendment at risk over a First Amendment principle to protect other organizations.”

To the contrary, sacrificing a First Amendment principle will end up putting the Second Amendment on even more precarious footing.  

The restrictions on government power contained in the Bill of Rights do not exist in a vacuum.  For instance, the First Amendment protections are what allow groups like GOA and people like you to complain to the Congress about anti-gun legislation, while the Fourth Amendment keeps the government from coming into our homes without a warrant to seize our guns.

The DISCLOSE Act will impose a host of new restrictions upon groups like GOA, effectively limiting our ability to hold individual congressmen accountable in the weeks leading up to an election.

Your activism against this bill so far has been OUTSTANDING, and it is the reason why liberal Democrats are trying to mute the voice of the gun lobby.  While other groups might acquiesce to a deal, GOA will oppose this bill so long as even one gun owner’s voice is silenced.   

The Democrat leadership is trying very hard to round up the votes to pass the bill this week.

ACTION:  Please keep up the pressure.  We must continue to contact our Congressmen in opposition to the DISCLOSE Act and urge others to do the same.  If we are going to defeat the Obama gun control agenda, we have to be able to speak out against the politicians who are sacrificing our rights on the altar of liberalism.  

1. You can call your Representative toll-free at 1-877-762-8762; or you can use the Gun Owners Legislative Action Center to send a pre-written message to your Representative.

2. Also, urge the NRA to change its position on the DISCLOSE Act and stand with Gun Owners of America.  All the gun groups need to stick together on this.  You can call the NRA at (800) 392-VOTE (8683).

—– Pre-written letter —–

Dear Representative:

Vote “NO” on the DISCLOSE Act (HR 5175).  Every member who votes “yes” — including you — will be remembered at election time and I will vote NO on you.

Do not accept any deals… do not support any compromises… do not vote for this infringement of the First Amendment at all.

Sincerely,