4\26 It's all about the Second Amendment

  • by Rick Hill
  • April 25, 2011
  • 243
                        
As I write this weeks column I am making arrangements for a little get away at the end of the week. Thursday afternoon I and Cowboy Jon will be traveling to Pittsburgh to spend some time with eighty thousand people gathering together to celebrate our freedom. It's not a political convention, although there will be a lot of politicians there. It's not a professionals convention, although there will be doctors, accountants, attorneys, school teachers, business owners, factory and construction workers, and retirees, in attendance. One thing most attendees will have in common is that they will be carrying their concealed weapons. Another thing that all attendees will have in common is their interest in gun ownership. Whether it be for hunting, competitive shooting, collecting, self defense, or just because they feel like owning one. Every one there will be a gun owner. In fact the whole weekend will be dedicated to gun ownership. This is the National Rifle Association 2011 Annual Meeting and Exhibits. There will be politicians, and lobbyists holding seminars on the continuing battles fought in State Capitals across the country, and in Washington DC. These folks will bring us up to date on what the anti gun bunch is up to with their continuing assault on our Constitutional Rights. There will be vendors, and manufacturers there to show us all the newest, and neatest stuff available to the gun owner. There will be professional hunters, and competitive shooters there to entertain, and educate us. This is not your typical sportsman’s show, even though it will be a sportsman’s paradise. This is a national convention of an organization boasting four million paid members. That is important to note. There are political parties, and other lobbying organizations that claim membership in the millions. The much talked about AARP boasts millions of members. Not bothering to mention that they automatically sign up everyone on their fiftieth birthday with a free membership whether they want it or not. The National Rifle Association with it's four million members is one of the strongest, and most effective lobbies in the country. As a member for thirty three years I have witnessed them protect our Right to keep and bear arms every time that right is challenged on a state, and national level. It requires a constant vigilance with professional lobbyists, and lots of money ,because that is the cost of freedom. Along with the strong political influence the NRA wields, they also spend millions of dollars every year on education. Their local certified instructors offer classes on safe gun handling, marksmanship, youth shooting sports, and much more. In Ohio, and all the other states with concealed carry, the NRA was not only instrumental in getting the legislation passed that allows it. They are also the institution that offers the required class to get your permit. Knowing for a fact that we would not still have the gun ownership rights that we enjoy today, if it were not for the lobbying efforts of the NRA. I can't figure out how out of eighty million gun owners, only four million consider the future of that ownership worth investing in. A lot of sportsman consider their contribution to Ducks Unlimited, Nwtf, Pheasants Forever, and all the others enough to do the job. These are great organizations, with noble goals, and proven track records for improving our sports. I also belong to them, and more, and applaud their hard work. The issue here is gun ownership. If you ask any representative or congressman, they will tell you as far the Second Amendment goes, the eight hundred pound gorilla in the corner is the NRA. Catch You Later Rick


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