Wednesday, February 02, 2005

NRA Board Candidate Questionnaire

The election of NRA Directors is once more upon us, with ballots due from voting members by March 27.

The only nomination of special note is actor Tom Selleck, who will no doubt be groomed as the next high-profile trophy president in the Charlton Heston mode—in other words, a handsome and popular star who reads his lines well. With the passing of Neal Knox, no serious challenge to the “Winning Team” exists, thus there is no need for a “Don’t vote for these guys” ad.

The choices this year ensure that Wayne La Pierre will maintain uncontested control. There are 31 candidates for 25 open slots, and the Nominating Committee has endorsed 28 of them. That’s outrageous.

No true reform will come to the NRA until voting members can rate director candidates based on unequivocal platforms of support for “shall not be infringed.” Unfortunately, no such demand has been made by the membership, so expect more status quo, backroom deals, political compromises and suspect politician ratings.

Too bad. As a start, I’d like to see each candidate for the BOD specifically answer the following questions, adapted from a questionnaire I have sent in the past to political candidates who claim to be pro-Second Amendment.

I won’t hold my breath, but if anyone can get a candidate to give straight for-the-record answers to these, please let me know.
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1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land" and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges the birthrights of all Americans?

2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by all levels of government, including city, county and state?

3. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider constitutional.

4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.

5. Does the right to bear arms include the right for any peaceable citizen to carry them concealed without a permit, as in Vermont?

6. Do you believe that Americans have a right to own, use and carry weapons of military pattern?

7. Do you support or oppose Project Exile, and do you agree with current NRA management’s call to “enforce existing gun laws”?

8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms? Why?

9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?

10. If elected to the NRA Board, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

AND HAVE THE INCUMBENTS DISCLOSE THEIR VOTING RECORD

David Codrea said...

Hi Gordon--thanks for posting.

I've put plenty of thought into CCW licensing and agree with you 100%--and made that position clear on a number of occasions. That's why I had the "Vermont Carry" question.

In re Selleck, in my opinion, he totally mishandled an opportunity Rosie O'Donnell handed to him, and anyone presenting himself as a face for gun rights needs to be able to defend them in logical and moral terms wherever and whenever--we should know our subject matter so well that we cannot be surprised by any argument the antis throw our way. In any case, the president is a figurehead, and the real power is with management.

But you pose an interesting challenge: How would Tom Selleck answer my questions?

Regards,
DC

Anonymous said...

1. Yes. 2. Yes. 3. Courtroom in session, but could carry in courthouse. 4. All others besides #3. 5. Yes. 6. Yes. 7. No, Repeal all laws except #3. 8. Oppose, it violates second amendment plus 9th and 10th amendments. 9. All of them. 10. Yes, I would report what happened and who voted what way. Even if it was done in closed session. mshawncassidy@yahoo.com Benefactor member, Missouri Reserve Deputy. Anybody want to write me in, please do so.

Nicki said...

David, I think this questionnaire is an invaluable tool. I'm going to make sure it's well disseminated.

Nicki

Anonymous said...

A response to the questions asked by candidate Joel Friedman.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=123962