NRA’s Hypocrisy: Guns are Prohibited at Annual Convention

(Freedom States Alliance is pleased to post the following press release from the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence).

TOLEDO, OH -- The NRA's homepage for its annual convention in Charlotte, NC on May 14-16th says it all (http://www.nraam.org/index.html)

“Note: North Carolina State law prohibits the carrying of firearms in the Charlotte Convention Center, and the Time Warner Cable Arena. In addition, the Rules and Regulations of the Charlotte Convention Center prohibit the carrying of firearms in the Center. Pursuant to Time Warner Cable Arena policy, all individuals entering the Arena will be subject to a magnetometer security check.”

For an organization that sees any limitation or regulation with respect to guns as unconstitutional, the NRA's hypocrisy is apparent. The NRA's extremist agenda is only for the rest of us. They continue to force the carrying of loaded handguns into every nook and cranny of society, whether it's college campuses, churches, bars, or state capitol buildings and government offices.

In fact, the Ohio Senate Criminal Justice Committee is holding hearings on Senate Bill 239 to permit loaded hidden handguns in places that serve alcohol– an idea that is strongly opposed by law enforcement. In response, Toby Hoover, Executive Director of the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence issued the following statement:

“The gun lobby routinely claims that not having a loaded gun on your hip leaves people defenseless. Yet at its own annual convention the NRA members are not allowed to walk around with a loaded gun.”

“In Ohio, the gun lobby actually thinks that loaded guns should be permitted in bars, open area arenas and family friendly restaurants that serve alcohol. It's time that lawmakers, businesses, and citizens stop the gun lobby's radical agenda that is weakening our public safety and threatening our personal security.”

“The NRA's policy towards carrying loaded guns in public is being used to promote fear and is as being used for political posturing. The gun lobby clearly has zero interest in reducing and preventing gun violence through effective solutions, such as strengthening background checks on gun sales.”

A new poll conducted for the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence (http://www.bradycenter.org/) found that the majority feel less safe knowing people can carry loaded guns in public.

The gun lobby is also living in gross denial about concealed handgun permit holders committing homicides. An on-going study by the Violence Policy Center, CCW Killers, documents that since May 2007, concealed handgun permit holders have killed at least 161 since May 2007, including 9 law enforcement officers. Concealed handgun permit holders have also committed 15 mass shootings and 15murder-suicides. The study is updated monthly at www.vpc.org/ccwkillers.htm.

In Ohio, concealed handgun permit holders have killed at least 14 people and wounded 2 others, including a police officer. Most recently, two permit holders in Cleveland argued over a parking spot and one fired his handgun killing the other.