# NRA: Champion of the Downtrodden

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nra-champion-of-the-downtrodden/655419>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [April 11, 2013, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nra-champion-of-the-downtrodden/655419 "2013-04-11T16:44:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2013, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nra-champion-of-the-downtrodden/655419/1 "2013-04-11T16:44:11Z")

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Every once in a while I hear something that restores my faith in America. Today, I’m thrilled to see that the NRA has boldly taken up the cause of two much-abused groups – ex-cons and psychotics. With its opposition to the concept of background checks, the NRA has made clear its determination to prevent these citizens from losing their Second Amendment rights. After all, ex-cons have paid their debt to society. And psychotics suffer enough as it is – why should they be persecuted for something that is not their fault? Moreover, if we deny constitutional rights to these groups, who’s next? Neurotics? People who _might_ become criminals? No, let us be thankful for groups like the NRA who maintain eternal vigilance on behalf of society’s most vulnerable.

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**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2013, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nra-champion-of-the-downtrodden/655419/2 "2013-04-11T22:40:28Z")

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And you can’t forget the [terrorists](http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/04/11/17706549-the-far-right-line-on-guns-gets-unwelcome-endorsement?lite). In the words of the Al Qaeda spokesman at the link:

> [@](#):
>
> “America is absolutely awash with easily obtainable firearms. You can go down to a gun show at the local convention center and come away with a fully automatic assault rifle, without a background check, and most likely without having to show an identification card. So what are you waiting for?”

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**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nra-champion-of-the-downtrodden/655419/3 "2013-04-12T02:33:54Z")

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I’m afraid you are missing the point entirely. Don’t you know that once we allow the federal government to require firearms purchasers to submit to background checks at gun shows, President Obama will come around and personally confiscate every firearm in America. (Actually, I think he may send Vice President Biden to pick up each of the guns west of the Rockies.)

Though you may mock them, it is because of the brave efforts of the NRA, President Obama isn’t knocking on your door right now demanding that you hand over your Smith and Wesson.

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**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nra-champion-of-the-downtrodden/655419/4 "2013-04-12T03:12:34Z")

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“Hey, ' **luc**! Here for your Smith and Wesson. Cool with that?”  
“Hey, Barry! Shit, cousin, you should know I haven’t got any such thing!”  
“Not a thing. Just give me your bong and your frisbee.”  
“Cold dead hands, motherfucker!”