From the Firearms Coalition

NRA and Freedom of Speech

By Jeff Knox

Note: The bill discussed in this article passed the US House on June 24 and is now headed to the Senate.  Contact Senators to express opposition. - JK

A Firestorm was ignited this week when it was announced that House Democrats had carved out an exemption for the National Rifle Association in proposed new federal campaign law legislation and that NRA was no longer going to oppose the bill.  The new campaign legislation is a response to the recent Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. The Federal Election Commission. In that case the Court held that groups like NRA could not be blocked from mentioning a candidate’s name during the 60 days prior to an election.  The proposed legislation – which is still only available in synopsis form – would tightly regulate the political speech of any corporation (most non-profits and political organizations are corporations) and require extensive recordkeeping and public disclosure of contributors names.  Such disclosure is particularly hard on gun rights organizations as our members tend to be vehemently opposed to having their names put on lists – particularly lists identifying them as likely gun owners.

NRA has long been a leader in defense of constitutionally protected political speech and they had stepped up in opposition to this latest threat.  Unfortunately, rather than stand strong on principle of liberty and the rule of the Constitution, NRA suggested to the bill’s sponsors that as long as the proposed legislation did not apply to NRA, the association would withdraw their opposition.  Good for NRA, but bad for every other group and the Constitution.

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From the Firearms Coalition

GunVoter: The Issue is Freedom

By Jeff Knox

There is confusion within the conservative community – and even among some gun owners – over what exactly the gun rights argument is all about.  Similarly there is confusion among some GunVoters about the goals and objectives of the conservative movement.  The simple answer for all of those confused people is that it is about freedom, individual liberty, and the rule of law.

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From the Firearms Coalition

Heroes Snared in Gun Restrictions

By Jeff Knox

(Manassas, VA, June 3, 2010) With a decision expected from the Supreme Court later this month, the importance of the McDonald case challenging Chicago’s handgun ban was brought into stark relief last week when an 80-year old Chicago resident used a handgun to stop a violent home intruder.  Reports indicate that the intruder broke in through a back window of the octogenarian’s home in the early hours of May 26 and then fired on the homeowner who promptly returned fire, killing the intruder.  Police and prosecutors said the shooting appeared to be justified and that no charges would be filed in the slaying, but there was some question as to whether the homeowner – the crime victim in this case – might be charged for possessing a handgun in his home, a violation of Chicago’s strict handgun ban.

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By Jeff Knox

(Manassas, VA, 20 May 2010) The 139^th NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits was held last weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina and it was a record-setter with over 70,000 in attendance, including three representatives of The Firearms Coalition, my brother Chris, sister Shan, and myself.  Due to scheduling conflicts and airline delays the three of us converged on Charlotte at about 4:30 Friday afternoon, just in time to get cleaned up for the Grass Roots North Carolina “Gala for Gun Rights and Second Amendment Symposium.”  The event was held at the Marriott, Charlotte City Center and I was one of the speakers along with Joe Tartaro of GunWeek and the Second Amendment Foundation; John Lott, author of More Guns, Less Crime; US Senator Richard Burr; and Alan Gura, lead attorney in both the Heller and McDonald cases.  GRNC was kind enough to allow Chris to set up a table in the back of the room where sales of his book, Neal Knox – The Gun Rights War, were brisk.  Chris donated a portion of the proceeds to GRNC.

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From the Firearms Coalition

National Training Week

By Jeff Knox

National Training Week, July 4 through 11, is set aside in conjunction with Independence Day to remind people that liberty and independence are closely tied to responsible possession of firearms.  Every American owes a debt of thanks to our forebears who saw fit to enshrine the right to arms in our Constitution and to use that right to defend our liberty for the past 234 years.  National Training Week is an opportunity to exercise that right and to share it with others.  There are endless reasons for getting involved: Manufacturers, resellers, and range operators can grow their businesses by promoting this event and then making firearms, ammunition, training, and shooting facilities more affordable and accessible leading up to and during this special week.  It is an ideal time for ranges to host the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s First Shots program and for clubs to invite the public to Open House days.  Firearms enthusiasts get an excuse to burn through some of that ammo that’s been stacking up and dust off those neglected guns.  It’s also a great time to ask a friend and coworkers to go shooting and introduce them to the fun and history of firearms.

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From the Firearms Coalition

Your Duty to Vote

By Jeff Knox

(Manassas, VA, April 29, 2010) I propose that the “firearms fraternity” begin placing as much emphasis on voting and voter education as we do on safety and safety education.

Unintentional firearms injuries and fatalities have dropped by some 60% over the past 20 years while the number of firearms in circulation has more than doubled.  These amazing results are not due to government programs, laws, or regulations.  They are a result of education and an almost universal acceptance of and insistence on adherence to the basic rules of firearms safety.  Gun owners not only practice firearms safety, they advocate for it and expect it from others, and they shun anyone who fails to abide by the rules.  The improving firearms safety record is a stellar example of positive peer pressure.  We in the firearms fraternity need to extend that success into the realm of voting.

Gun owners should see voting in every election, and having a general understanding of the candidates’ positions regarding rights, as a core obligation for themselves, their friends, and their family.  Those who do not vote – regardless of their excuse or rationalization – should be seen as letting down their brothers and sisters in arms.  They are failing in their obligation as citizens, and empowering the enemies of liberty.  In short, GunVoters need to look at gun owners who don’t vote with the same incredulity that they would look at a person who recklessly waves a gun around with a finger on the trigger.  Excuses like “My vote doesn’t matter” should be received with the same disdain shown when someone says “Hey, it isn’t loaded.”

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From the Firearms Coalition

Practicing Politics

By Chris & Jeff Knox

(Manassas, VA, 8 April, 2010) Conditions have lined up for 2010 to be the year of the perfect electoral storm.  But in order to create the kind of storm the Republic needs, one that cleans out an insubordinate and defiant Congress, GunVoters and pro-rights activists need to get organized.  The time to start is now.  Just as my friend, noted author and radio host Dave Ramsey says about saving money, it’s never too early to get involved in politics, but it’s better to get involved late than not to get involved at all.  Whether you’re reading this in May, or October, you need to take action.

There are many ways to participate in the political process and all of them are important.  The first, and most fundamental, is to vote.  Make sure that you are registered to vote and that you show up on Election Day.  Dismiss the excuses.  I’ve heard them all and they are all lame.

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From the Firearms Coalition

The Firearms Industry and the Second Amendment

By Chris Knox

What follows is an excerpt from Neal Knox – The Gun Rights War, a compilation of columns and essays by my late father Neal Knox.

“The State of New York about a year ago enacted a very drastic firearms law, known as the Sullivan law.  This law was intended to stop crime, and statistics show that there has been more crime in that state than ever.  Crime conditions even got so bad that enterprising concerns in New York are issuing insurance policies against loss by holdups.  The presidents of seven burglar insurance companies have petitioned the state legislature to repeal the Sullivan Law.”

There’s no doubt what that writer would think about New York’s law today, almost three-quarters of a century after he wrote that pamphlet “Concerning Revolver Legislation.”

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From the Firearms Coalition

Discomfort with the Comfort of Skill at Arms

By Jeff Knox

(Manassas, VA, March 11, 2010) Dr. Ignatius Piazza, founder of Front Sight Firearms Training Institute, is fond of talking about “the comfort of skill at arms.”  It’s not only a part of his sales pitch it’s also an integral part of the overall philosophy taught at the school.  It is an important concept because having full confidence in your own ability to handle almost any serious encounter that might arise is a very comfortable feeling.  Of course that comfort must never be allowed to slip into complacency or cockiness and that too is emphasized in Front Sight training.  The comfort of skill at arms removes anxiety and makes the world a much more inviting, less threatening place.  There is a downside to the comfort of skill at arms though and that is the intensified discomfort of being disarmed.

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From the Firearms Coalition

Disarm the Bureaucrats

By Jeff Knox

(Manassas, VA, March 19, 2010) There is nothing unusual about a federal agency buying guns, particularly a federal agency with law enforcement authority, but when that federal agency is the Office of the Inspector General for the US Department of Education, well, that rightfully raised a few eyebrows.  The EDOIG put out a solicitation seeking 27 Remington 870, 12 gauge, pump shotguns with 14 inch barrels and Knoxx (no relation) adjustable, recoil reducing stocks.  The document went on to explain that the 14in Remington 870s are the “only shotguns authorized for ED based on compatibility with ED existing shotgun inventory, certified armor and combat training and protocol, maintenance, and parts.”

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