LaPierre Before Senate

BarryLee · January 29, 2013, 07:30 PM

NRA VP Wayne LaPierre will be testifying before a Senate hearing on gun violence Wednesday at 10:00AM. I assume this will be carried by CSPAN and possibly other news outlets.

The NRA is also requesting that supporters of the Second Amendment show up by 8:00AM to pack the hearing room. So, if you're in the DC area and have the ability consider attending.

Oh yes, they make the point that you will have to pass thorugh security to get in the Capital, so leave that Super Redhawk in the car.

http://www.nraila.org/legislation/fe...-and-nra!.aspx

Dr Big Bird PhD · January 29, 2013, 07:34 PM

What is the purpose for this hearing?

BarryLee · January 29, 2013, 07:54 PM

It is being held by the Senate Judiciary Committee and is titled, “What Should America Do About Gun Violence?”.

I assume there will be a lot of grandstanding by various Senators both pro and con Second Amendment. Also, they will hear from pro gun groups and also anti-gun groups. I do not believe they will be discussing specific pieces of legislation in detail, but I could be mistaken.

Either way just offering a heads up for anyone interested.

Qtiphky · January 30, 2013, 08:23 AM

This is the dog and pony show that the antis want to show. We are listening to both sides before we do what we want to do. I hope the NRA has a different game plan than using facts, because to the antis, facts don't mean anything. That actually hurt to say, but it sure feels that way. Facts, don't bore us with facts, we want emotions!

Skans · January 30, 2013, 08:50 AM

Ditto what Qtiphky said. The only think I'd add is that if the NRA doesn't show up, they would hold the hearing anyway and there would be no one there to fact check the lies told by the antis.

ScottRiqui · January 30, 2013, 08:54 AM

I wonder if Lapierre is going to throw the First Amendment under the bus while defending the Second, by continuing to blame movies and videogames for the gun violence.

Skans · January 30, 2013, 08:58 AM

Quote:

gun violence.

Hopefully he is smart enough not to even use this term. It's a stupid term made up by the antis. I could think of a dozen other words you can put in front of "violence" that would be much more accurate, but not very politically correct.

Sparks1957 · January 30, 2013, 09:01 AM

I'm hoping that Sen. Leahy allows a balanced set of viewpoints to be expressed today, I think he'll try after the email I got from his office yesterday (see the L&CR forum below)

2ndsojourn · January 30, 2013, 11:28 AM

So far, each committee member is just asking loaded questions to get a selected answer to support their personal agenda. Both the pro's and anti's are equally.

JWT · January 30, 2013, 11:36 AM

Congressional hearings are a waste of taxpayers money. They give members of congress an opportunity to mug before the cameras and demonstrate their 'knowledge'. They accomplish little other than that.

Reports are that Feinstein is unhappy about the witnesses for todays hearings so will hold her own separate hearings (kangaroo court).

Skans · January 30, 2013, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Congressional hearings are a waste of taxpayers money.

Congress is a waste of taxpayer's money.

**Tom Servo** · January 30, 2013, 01:20 PM

LaPierre's testimony is here.

Basically,

expanded background checks won't work because we're not prosecuting criminals who try to buy guns now.
semiautomatic firearms are the most common choice for the law-abiding
we need better mental health reporting to the NICS database
armed school security is already common and practical
even the DOJ under Clinton admitted that the 1994 AWB had no measurable effect on violence or crime

There was audible booing and hissing during his speech. Feinstein grudgingly acknowledged that the roster of speakers was packed with anti-gun shills, and has promised her own round of supposedly impartial hearings.

Senator Grassley asked Dave Kopel about the 1994 ban, to which Kopel repied, "it was tried with great sincerity ... but it didn't seem to save any lives that the researchers could find."

BarryLee · January 30, 2013, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Facts, don't bore us with facts, we want emotions!

Due to business obligations I have only started to watch a little of this.

A few observations:

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar starts her statement by acknowledging how important statistics are and then goes into a long list of emotional triggers ignoring the facts.

Captain Kelly, the husband of Gabby Giffords, response to one question was so full of “maybe”, “might”, could’ve”, etc. that it was devoid of any real facts. Senator Klobuchar acknowledge it and then tried to somehow salvage what he had to say, but really couldn't.

The Chief of Police from Baltimore was there representing several Law enforcement related organizations and calling for an AWB and the banning of magazines over 10 rounds. Senator Cruz of Texas showed him a chart indicated crime was much higher in his City and others with already restrictive gun laws than other Cities. He then asked the Chief to provide some data to support his position or to refute the data from the Justice Department. The Chief basically dodged the question entirely by basically parroting his previous statements.

Also, although we tend to try and avoid partisanship on this site I am struck with how divided this seems to be along party lines. Admittedly I have not watched the entire thing, but it seemed that all the Democratic Senators were anti-gun. Did I miss any of them that seemed to make any real 2A supportive statements?

**Tom Servo** · January 30, 2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

The Chief basically dodged the question entirely by basically parroting his previous statements.

Johnson claimed that the NICS system had stopped 2 million disqualified individuals from getting guns since 1994. I'm not sure how that works when the system didn't go online until 1998, but he failed to mention that only 62 of those 2 million cases were ever referred for prosecution.

thallub · January 30, 2013, 02:09 PM

US senator Sessions hit the Obama administration hard for refusing to enforce existing gun law.

adamc · January 30, 2013, 02:12 PM

I did not see any of this, but

these things always have an ANTI outcome

I feel that this is strictly a diversion, and the decisions have already been
made in the back room.

BarryLee · January 30, 2013, 02:17 PM

Quote:

I feel that this is strictly a diversion, and the decisions have already been
made in the back room.

Yes, I agree that the Senators may not really be swayed by what is said in these hearing the hearing can influence public opinion which the Senators do listen to.

adamc · January 30, 2013, 02:36 PM

Here in Connecticut-- the deal is already done
no matter what us residents want...

I don't care how many letters, emails, etc...

Our two--- Murphy and Blumenthal you know what they are pushing..

Blumenthal introduced bills for background checks for ammo,
and "Much Much More" need I say more ?

tell me how this is unbiased, fair & equitable

Don't blame me.. I didn't vote for them

Mr.Scott · January 30, 2013, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Also, although we tend to try and avoid partisanship on this site I am struck with how divided this seems to be along party lines. Admittedly I have not watched the entire thing, but it seemed that all the Democratic Senators were anti-gun. Did I miss any of them that seemed to make any real 2A supportive statements?

There's no getting around it now. Dems for the most part want to selectively abolish the constitution. They are totally incapable of understanding that the very thing the despise is the very thing that protects them and their views.
They cannot fathom people having free will or free thought. If you don't tow their line you're any number of foul hateful things the party of tolerance will call you.

Glenn E. Meyer · January 30, 2013, 05:22 PM

I posted this elsewhere in the General top sticky but look at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/op...g-buddies.html

Good ol' Texas GOP type doing the hunting and armor piercing bullet mantra.

Until they vote, you can't trust anyone.

Strafer Gott · January 30, 2013, 05:27 PM

After reading the above comments, I feel like a Pollyanna! I thought the general tone was in keeping with our 2a views. I thought the Senators, particularly Sen Grassley gave the impression that they were not on board with proposals like Feinstein's, and wouldn't be pushed or rushed into anything of that ilk. I thought Wayne LaPierre did a much better job than the previous encounter. I'm actually encouraged by all this. Am I wacky on this?

Jayster · January 30, 2013, 06:20 PM

Mr. LaPierre, thanks. Much appreciated.

BarryLee · January 30, 2013, 07:27 PM

Quote:

I thought the general tone was in keeping with our 2a views

As I said I only saw part of the hearing, so there may have been Democrats that were supportive, but the individuals I saw did not seem to be.

Come and take it. · January 30, 2013, 10:40 PM

What was up with Schumer? What game is he playing? He mulched about closing the gun show loophole and that was it.

DaleA · January 31, 2013, 12:17 AM

Tom Servo post #12

Quote:

Feinstein grudgingly acknowledged that the roster of speakers was packed with anti-gun shills, and has promised her own round of supposedly impartial hearings.

Are you kidding??? If she actually said that and used the word 'impartial' her nose must have grown at least a foot in length.

Tom Servo post #14

Quote:

but he failed to mention that only 62 of those 2 million cases were ever referred for prosecution.

There is a simple and logtical reason ONLY 62 OF 2,000,000 were prosecuted...no wait, there isn't.

Thank you Tom Servo (and others) for keeping us updated about what happened.

January 29, 2013, 07:34 PM	#2
Dr Big Bird PhD Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 779	What is the purpose for this hearing? __________________ I told the new me, "Meet me at the bus station and hold a sign that reads: 'Today is the first day of the rest of your life.'" But the old me met me with a sign that read: "Welcome back." Who you are is not a function of where you are. -Off Minor

January 29, 2013, 07:54 PM	#3
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,946	It is being held by the Senate Judiciary Committee and is titled, “What Should America Do About Gun Violence?”. I assume there will be a lot of grandstanding by various Senators both pro and con Second Amendment. Also, they will hear from pro gun groups and also anti-gun groups. I do not believe they will be discussing specific pieces of legislation in detail, but I could be mistaken. Either way just offering a heads up for anyone interested. __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

January 30, 2013, 08:23 AM	#4
Qtiphky Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2008 Location: Upper Michigan, above the Mackinac Bridge Posts: 568	Pomp and Circumstance This is the dog and pony show that the antis want to show. We are listening to both sides before we do what we want to do. I hope the NRA has a different game plan than using facts, because to the antis, facts don't mean anything. That actually hurt to say, but it sure feels that way. Facts, don't bore us with facts, we want emotions!

January 30, 2013, 08:54 AM	#6
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	I wonder if Lapierre is going to throw the First Amendment under the bus while defending the Second, by continuing to blame movies and videogames for the gun violence. Last edited by ScottRiqui; January 30, 2013 at 12:13 PM.

January 30, 2013, 02:12 PM	#16
adamc Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2013 Location: Stalingrad Connecticut Posts: 216	I did not see any of this, but these things always have an ANTI outcome I feel that this is strictly a diversion, and the decisions have already been made in the back room. __________________ ** NRA Life Member *** Connecticut was the Cradle of the Gun Industry, NOW it is just a Pine Box, Courtesy of our Governor "Chairman MAO Malloy"

January 29, 2013, 07:30 PM	#1
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,946	LaPierre Before Senate NRA VP Wayne LaPierre will be testifying before a Senate hearing on gun violence Wednesday at 10:00AM. I assume this will be carried by CSPAN and possibly other news outlets. The NRA is also requesting that supporters of the Second Amendment show up by 8:00AM to pack the hearing room. So, if you're in the DC area and have the ability consider attending. Oh yes, they make the point that you will have to pass thorugh security to get in the Capital, so leave that Super Redhawk in the car. http://www.nraila.org/legislation/fe...-and-nra!.aspx __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

January 30, 2013, 08:50 AM	#5
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Ditto what Qtiphky said. The only think I'd add is that if the NRA doesn't show up, they would hold the hearing anyway and there would be no one there to fact check the lies told by the antis.

January 30, 2013, 09:01 AM	#8
Sparks1957 Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,552	I'm hoping that Sen. Leahy allows a balanced set of viewpoints to be expressed today, I think he'll try after the email I got from his office yesterday (see the L&CR forum below)

January 30, 2013, 11:28 AM	#9
2ndsojourn Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,416	So far, each committee member is just asking loaded questions to get a selected answer to support their personal agenda. Both the pro's and anti's are equally.

January 30, 2013, 11:36 AM	#10
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	Congressional hearings are a waste of taxpayers money. They give members of congress an opportunity to mug before the cameras and demonstrate their 'knowledge'. They accomplish little other than that. Reports are that Feinstein is unhappy about the witnesses for todays hearings so will hold her own separate hearings (kangaroo court).

January 30, 2013, 01:20 PM	#12
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalachians Posts: 13,059	LaPierre's testimony is here. Basically, expanded background checks won't work because we're not prosecuting criminals who try to buy guns now. semiautomatic firearms are the most common choice for the law-abiding we need better mental health reporting to the NICS database armed school security is already common and practical even the DOJ under Clinton admitted that the 1994 AWB had no measurable effect on violence or crime There was audible booing and hissing during his speech. Feinstein grudgingly acknowledged that the roster of speakers was packed with anti-gun shills, and has promised her own round of supposedly impartial hearings. Senator Grassley asked Dave Kopel about the 1994 ban, to which Kopel repied, "it was tried with great sincerity ... but it didn't seem to save any lives that the researchers could find." __________________ Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe Last edited by Tom Servo; January 30, 2013 at 01:27 PM.

January 30, 2013, 02:09 PM	#15
thallub Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2007 Location: South Western OK Posts: 3,112	US senator Sessions hit the Obama administration hard for refusing to enforce existing gun law.

January 30, 2013, 02:36 PM	#18
adamc Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2013 Location: Stalingrad Connecticut Posts: 216	Here in Connecticut-- the deal is already done no matter what us residents want... I don't care how many letters, emails, etc... Our two--- Murphy and Blumenthal you know what they are pushing.. Blumenthal introduced bills for background checks for ammo, and "Much Much More" need I say more ? tell me how this is unbiased, fair & equitable Don't blame me.. I didn't vote for them __________________ ** NRA Life Member *** Connecticut was the Cradle of the Gun Industry, NOW it is just a Pine Box, Courtesy of our Governor "Chairman MAO Malloy"

January 30, 2013, 05:22 PM	#20
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	I posted this elsewhere in the General top sticky but look at: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/op...g-buddies.html Good ol' Texas GOP type doing the hunting and armor piercing bullet mantra. Until they vote, you can't trust anyone. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

January 30, 2013, 05:27 PM	#21
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,315	Positive view After reading the above comments, I feel like a Pollyanna! I thought the general tone was in keeping with our 2a views. I thought the Senators, particularly Sen Grassley gave the impression that they were not on board with proposals like Feinstein's, and wouldn't be pushed or rushed into anything of that ilk. I thought Wayne LaPierre did a much better job than the previous encounter. I'm actually encouraged by all this. Am I wacky on this?

January 30, 2013, 06:20 PM	#22
Jayster Member Join Date: January 7, 2013 Posts: 74	Mr. LaPierre, thanks. Much appreciated.

January 30, 2013, 10:40 PM	#24
Come and take it. Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 999	What was up with Schumer? What game is he playing? He mulched about closing the gun show loophole and that was it.