by Evan F. Nappen, Esq. [posted 5/26/09]
I feel a very unusual sensation - if it is not indigestion, I think it must be gratitude.
~Benjamin Disraeli
President Obama and I differ on a whole lot of things. But of all the issues on which we differ, gun rights are the most important for me. Just this week President Obama signed a PRO-GUN bill known as the Coburn amendment, which was attached to an unrelated credit card reform bill. The NRA-backed Coburn amendment allows loaded guns in national parks. According to the NRA, "This was a major repudiation of the gun control community's anti self-defense agenda."
It was not just any pro-gun bill, but one that:
1) Expanded my ability to lawfully carry a firearm on federal property, including open carrying of loaded firearms and concealed carrying of loaded firearms as per state law;
2) made a Bush administration policy into law;
3) was opposed by Senators Feinstein (D-CA), Lautenberg (D-NJ), Schumer (D-NY), Boxer (D-CA), Dodd (D-CT), and Kerry (D-MA), just some of the 29 who voted against it; and
4) overturned an injunction issued in March by a U.S. District Court Judge resulting from a successful court action by the Brady Campaign to block the guns-in-parks rule.
These are mighty unusual political times. The Brady Campaign had stated on their website:
“The country needs President Obama to show leadership and demand a clean bill that will not force loaded guns into our national parks and bypass a Federal court ruling and an environmental review. Families should not have to stare down loaded AK-47s on nature hikes,” Brady Campaign President Paul Helmke said. “The President should not remain silent while Congress inserts reckless gun policies that he strongly opposes into a bill that has nothing whatsoever to do with guns. He should urge that this provision be removed from the bill.”
Paul Helmke must be very disappointed, and what disappoints him is guaranteed to be very pleasing to me. If my family has to “stare down loaded AK-47s” while enjoying a National Park, then that means they are being threatened with firearms, a serious criminal offense. Threatening folks with guns was not legalized under this bill, but now I can lawfully have the means on my hip to avert that threat.
In this case, President Obama did the right thing. I am pleased, and so should you be. This is why I say,“Thank you, President Obama. Please continue to sign all pro-gun bills that cross your desk and please continue to disappoint Mr. Helmke. If you keep this up, maybe even gun and ammo prices will drop, and then I’ll really thank you.”