# When did the NRA become a hyper-partisan anathema to rational thought? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 11, 2011, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568 "2011-11-11T04:04:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/281 "2011-11-18T15:30:18Z")
I don’t consider requiring gun shops to report multiple purchases to be a “gun control initiative”, but I can’t fault anyone else for characterizing it as one. What the hell is “gunwalking”? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/282 "2011-11-18T15:33:26Z")
The less dramatic form of “gunrunning”. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/283 "2011-11-18T15:34:55Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > It really is a simple thing. What is the definition of a statute? Holder explicitly requested “statutory tools”, e.g., laws, to help “stem the flow of guns”, something his department singularly failed to stop and in fact encouraged with “Fast and Furious” when they refused to allow FFL holders to deny suspicious purchases under the guise of it being a law enforcement matter. > > It’s all right there. He’s asking for new gun-control laws while testifying about a legal gun-related catastrophe that happened on his watch. It’s not a question of interpretation, it’s in black and white. Sure, whatever you say. Watch out for the black helicopters. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/284 "2011-11-18T15:37:39Z")
Weak, brah. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/285 "2011-11-18T15:41:02Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > What the hell is “gunwalking”? Gunwalking is, when you find out that people are illegally buying guns, not arresting them, but instead tracking them to their ultimate destination. It’s what the ATF tried to do in Operation Fast and Furious and what they did in the 2007-8 Operation Wide Receiver. They did it because when gangs smuggle guns like that, the original buyer is pretty much never the final user. Some cutout buys it, and it ends up in the hands of a gang assassin. So, by not arresting the cutout, but instead walking the gun back, you can uncover the entire smuggling operation and arrest everyone, not just the little fish. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/286 "2011-11-18T15:42:32Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > Gunwalking is, when you find out that people are illegally buying guns, not arresting them, but instead tracking them to their ultimate destination. Followed by ending the Second Amendment. ERIC HOLDER SAID SO! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/287 "2011-11-18T15:50:02Z")
Thanks, **CA.** ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/288 "2011-11-18T15:56:29Z")
And then we have the “concealed carry” initiative in the House, as discussed by Politico, here. > **[GOP notches concealed-carry victory](https://www.politico.com/story/2011/11/gop-notches-concealed-carry-victory-068541)** > > Gun-rights advocates win a round with the passage of the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act. **GOP notches victory on concealed carry vote** I visit a number of leftish sites that I trust for news, such as _ThinkProgress_ and _Talking Points Memo,_ amongst others. If the NRA’s theories of dark conspiracy were valid, they would be shrieking their heads off. They are not. Oh, wait, no! They are merely _pretending_ not to care, as a cover for their skulldugerry! ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/289 "2011-11-18T15:59:41Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > Sure, whatever you say. Watch out for the black helicopters. Holder complains that he needs more power to stop guns at the border. At the same time Holder is running a program that puts more guns in the hands of criminals at the border. Now, I personally do not think that he did B in hopes of getting A. However, the two going together does not make him look very good. ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/290 "2011-11-18T16:06:20Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > And then we have the “concealed carry” initiative in the House, as discussed by Politico, here. > > [http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68541.html](http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68541.html) > > **GOP notches victory on concealed carry vote** > > I visit a number of leftish sites that I trust for news, such as _ThinkProgress_ and _Talking Points Memo,_ amongst others. If the NRA’s theories of dark conspiracy were valid, they would be shrieking their heads off. They are not. > > Oh, wait, no! They are merely _pretending_ not to care, as a cover for their skulldugerry! Well, the LA Times editorial page is rather upset - and they have rarely been accused of being a right wing front. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/291 "2011-11-18T17:25:35Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > [True pro-gun folks won’t ban assault weapons, true Scotsmen eat haggis.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_true_Scotsman) One who is a guns rights advocate would not be an gun rights advocate if they advocated getting rid of guns. Right? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/292 "2011-11-18T18:57:11Z")
Depends on whether you are talking about a true _assault_ Scotsman. A genuine assault Scotsman has the P-197(a) Index Finger Extender modification. Without such equipment, he is merely an ordinary Scotsman suitable for target practice, hunting, and other benign uses. Anyone who does not recognize that crucial distinction is ignorant of Scotsmen generally, and has no valid opinion to offer. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/293 "2011-11-18T21:38:07Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > One who is a guns rights advocate would not be an gun rights advocate if they advocated getting rid of guns. Right? That’s a tough call. For example, I favor greatly expanding the types of guns which are available (I would repeal the new machine gun ban of 1986), and greatly expanding the carry powers of CCW holders (to be equal to those of police), but restricting the people who can possess and carry (any violent misdemeanor would ban them). What does that make me? ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/294 "2011-11-19T00:01:52Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > That’s a tough call. For example, I favor greatly expanding the types of guns which are available (I would repeal the new machine gun ban of 1986), and greatly expanding the carry powers of CCW holders (to be equal to those of police), but restricting the people who can possess and carry (any violent misdemeanor would ban them). What does that make me? An advocate that is in favor of increasing rights but while doing so, applying a specific set of criteria to obtain them. ---
**Author:** ![Naxos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/50afbb/32.png) [@Naxos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Naxos)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/295 "2011-11-19T02:20:54Z")
> [@Norse](#): > > […] > The primary use of most guns sold to civilians is _not_ to kill human beings: > [ul] > [li]The primary use of a shotgun is to kill birds or clay pigeons[/li][li]The primary use of a hunting rifle to kill deer and other animals[/li][li]The primary use of a target rifle is to kill paper targets[/li][li]The primary use of a sporting handgun is to kill paper targets.[/li][/ul] > IME, those gun categories cover the majority of guns sold to civilians. Hunting or sports guns is a different story. On a related note, they also should be banned or taxed at an insanely high rate to discourage inconsiderate people from the harm they’re doing to the environment. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/296 "2011-11-19T03:05:59Z")
> [@Naxos](#): > > Hunting or sports guns is a different story. On a related note, they also should be banned or taxed at an insanely high rate to discourage inconsiderate people from the harm they’re doing to the environment. Now it’s an environmental issue? I thought it was about killing off minorities. At least you’re consistent. Your theories may change, but they’re still off-the-wall and unsupported by anything resembling facts. ---
**Author:** ![Naxos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/50afbb/32.png) [@Naxos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Naxos)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/297 "2011-11-19T03:12:48Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > Now it’s an environmental issue? I thought it was about killing off minorities. > > At least you’re consistent. Your theories may change, but they’re still off-the-wall and unsupported by anything resembling facts. The NRA’s 40+ years push to make untraceable handguns as much available as possible is about killing minorities, yes. Ask all the national law enforcement organizations about it, who want to put controls on handguns and bullets but the NRA buys off enough whore politicians, mostly conservative Republicans, to stop that proposal from becoming a reality. The use of hunting and sporting guns and riffles are an environmental disaster. Any and all attempts to try to stop this abuse is always blocked by conservative Republican interests. Always. That’s the consistency of the abuse of conservative politics. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/298 "2011-11-19T03:17:44Z")
C-beams glittering in the dark near the Posts of Naxos… ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/299 "2011-11-19T03:18:24Z")
> [@Naxos](#): > > Ask all the national law enforcement organizations about it, who want to put controls on handguns and bullets but the NRA buys off enough whore politicians, mostly conservative Republicans, to stop that proposal from becoming a reality. And how would this work, precisely? I can’t wait to hear your novel approach. I’ve heard them all so far, this ought to be good. > [@](#): > > The use of hunting and sporting guns and riffles are an environmental disaster. Any and all attempts to try to stop this abuse is always blocked by conservative Republican interests. Ready for this? I know you are, you’ve already seen it numerous times. CITE? > [@](#): > > That’s the consistency of the abuse of conservative politics. I see. Abuse = things you don’t like. ---
**Author:** ![Naxos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/50afbb/32.png) [@Naxos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Naxos)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2011, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568/300 "2011-11-19T03:29:37Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > And how would this work, precisely? I can’t wait to hear your novel approach. I’ve heard them all so far, this ought to be good. There’s too much information already for the 30+ years of national law enforcement agencies – not state only, who want to do this too – that want to establish manufacturing methods on handguns and bullets that would make it easier to track the history of ownership of a gun or bullet from manufacture to the end sale. But the NRA has being fighting this tooth and nail as long as they exist. It would hinder the availability of handguns and bullets to gangs, so they oppose it. > [@](#): > > CITE? The news… in the past 30+ years. It’s no secret what the NRA is all about. The only issue is whether people acknowledge its purpose or refuse to acknowledge reality. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568.md?page=16)