GK>AV>Amendment as an issue.  I have the feeling that the NRA is being
GK>AV>disingenuous and trying to milk gun-banning issues for all of
GK>AV>the membership dues it can get, and that it doesn't really want
GK>AV>this issue decided.
GK>     As much as I *don't* want to believe it, this has been in the back
GK>   of my mind for a long time. It also applies to Sarah Brady. She is
GK>   getting very rich off of this.
        The NRA (alone among gun-rights groups) was around a long time
        before the RTKBA became an issue. We taught marksmanship,
        conducted matches, defended hunting issues, collected guns and a
        hundred other things. We could do only those things again; if
        we weren't so wrapped up in all this political unpleasantness.
        *ONLY* the NRA would survive if the fight over gun-rights
        suddenly ceased. The other groups would go away. Think about
        that. EP
GK>AV>rights.  It is absurd to pursue political action rather than
GK>AV>resolving the issue in the courts first because we either have
GK>AV>these rights under the Constitution or we don't -- as determined
GK>AV>by the U.S. Supreme Court (and any state supreme courts that
GK>     I also have felt this way for a long time.
GK>AV>action.  If we don't, *then* gun owners and others interested in
GK>AV>personal responsibility and liberty need to pursue political action.
GK>AV>But, it is ridiculous to throw money into political action before
GK>AV>the U.S. Supreme Court has declared that the 2nd Amendment doesn't
GK>AV>mean what it says and that earlier court decisions are not to be
GK>      Exactly. Even if the Supreme Court does rule that we don't have
GK>    the Constitutional right, that doesn't mean the 2nd Amendment says
GK>    we *can't* own firearms.
        The issue isn't about whether the 2nd Amendment exists. Gun laws
        are passed and those who pass them say "This doesn't affect the
        2nd Amendment". If we got the Supreme Court to affirm the 2nd
        Amendment, it wouldn't do a thing. The AGers would just keep
        saying "This law doesn't affect the 2nd Amendment". But if we
        lost, we'd only have one option left. EP
GK>AV>I will be pursuing this matter further by contacting NRA's
GK>AV>attorneys.  In the mean time, copies of my correspondence
GK>      Please keep us posted, and post the names of those you talk to.
        You should never ask a question if you can't live with the
        answer; unless you're absolutely sure you'll get the answer you
        want. Ernie P.
---
 X SLMR 2.1a X I was born free; I WILL die free.
--- Maximus/2 2.02
---------------