[ED: Remember this from May? A dozen of the nation’s most prominent Fudds wrote a desperate cri de coeur bemoaning the state of America’s gun culture and begging for what they consider responsible firearm regulation. It’s the kind of unctuous quisling-ism that provides aid and comfort to those whose ultimate goal is a totally disarmed society. Run down their list of ten wants below and count up how many of them are actually becoming reality in states across the country. Then be sure to thank them for the part they’ve played in helping the process along.]
Tell me if you’ve read something like this before.
We are Republican, Democratic and independent. We come from the East, South, Midwest and West. We are conservative, progressive and liberal. We are men and women. We include eight members of the Circle of Chiefs, the highest conservation honor of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. We are all different in many ways, but we have important commonalities. We are Americans; we are gun owners; we are hunters; and we support responsible firearm regulation.
Note the use of the latest term of art, “responsible firearm regulation.” Why not common sense?
We avoid the term ”common sense,” understanding the wisdom in Voltaire’s words ― “Common sense is not so common.”
Of course. Silly us.
The Puffington Host has dug up – and they probably didn’t have to dig too deeply — a group of avid hunters, outdoorsmen, conservationists and writers who feel just terrible about what’s become of the American gun culture.
Yes, the Second Amendment conveys a right to “keep and bear” firearms. But rights come with responsibilities, and we all have a moral responsibility to address America’s crisis of gun violence.
Translation: Do whatever you want to those crazy open carriers and the idiots I see out there in the woods who are hunting with ARs. You know, the wacko contingent that owns lots of guns and just keeps buying more!
Most hunters own guns principally to hunt game. We use them safely and respectfully: If someone is injured during their use, it will most likely be a friend or family member, since that is who we hunt with. We don’t buy a lot of guns. We usually have a few favorites, often passed down to us by fathers or grandfathers. The gun industry figured that out decades ago, and switched to creating guns for a different market.
Those…people…the ones who hunt with those black things, really aren’t our kind.
That’s not to say that all hunters are like-minded on the issue of regulating firearms. As our numbers have dwindled, many have found a comforting alliance with Second Amendment radicalism. But we believe this is not representative of most hunters, and certainly not the tradition of the hunter-sportsman.
Those damned Second Amendment radicals! What makes them think that the right to keep and bear arms means you should actually be able to carry a gun? And besides, no one really needs an AR anyway.
We do not need AR-15s or any assault-style weapon to hunt game. That’s not to say some people won’t use them to hunt. But they are simply not necessary, and are actually not preferable for legitimate, fair-chase hunting.
Naturally, the Fudd constituency has come up with a list of, dare we say, common sense, responsible gun control measures that any right-thinking person should see are both urgently needed and eminently reasonable.
1. An age minimum of 21 years to purchase any gun;
2. Anyone on the Terrorist Screening Center’s “no-fly list” may not purchase or possess firearms;
3. Anyone on Social Security disability due to mental illness may not purchase or possess firearms;
4. Prohibit new sales of semiautomatic assault or tactical-style weapons;
5. Prohibit new sales of semiautomatic shotguns or rifles (except .22-caliber rim fire) that can hold more than 10 rounds;
6. Prohibit any accessory designed or mechanical modification intended a) to increase the rate at which any firearm may be discharged; or b) to increase the magazine capacity of a semiautomatic rifle beyond 10 rounds (except .22-caliber rim fire);
7. Mandatory and universal background checks for all firearm sales;
8. Prohibit sales of firearms except through registered/licensed dealers (no direct private sales);
9. Enact gun violence restraining order authorities allowing courts to temporarily prohibit a person from purchasing or possessing firearms when a family member, community welfare expert or law enforcement officer presents evidence of a threat; and
10. Repeal the “Dickey ban” on scientific research in the area of gun violence and implement the Institute of Medicine’s 2013 gun violence research agenda.
There. We’ve said it. As long as we’re allowed to hunt with the guns we already have, we’ll be happy and you’ll have done something about…those people. Besides, we’re sure you’ll never come after us and our firearms. Because we’re the good, responsible kind of gun owner. You’ll leave us alone, right? Won’t you?
Here are the oh-so-responsible individuals you can thank for this:
Daniel M. Ashe, former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director
Ted Williams, environmental journalist*
Paula Del Giudice, outdoor writer and hunter*
Mike Furtman, outdoor writer and photographer, hunter and former gun dealer*
Jim Low, former president of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and 13-time recipient of the Izaak Walton League’s Outdoor Ethics Communication Award*
Dr. Leonard Lee Rue III, wildlife photographer*
Brian Rutledge, conservation leader and naturalist
Scott Stouder, outdoor writer, conservationist and lifelong hunter*
Dr. Kris Thoemke, outdoor writer, conservationist and hunter*
Joel Vance, current member and former president of the Outdoor Writers Association of America*
George Harrison, retired nature journalist*
Rich Patterson, former president of the Outdoor Writers Association of America*