RSSEdler notes NRA pressure to quit Mayors Against Illegal Guns
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- Yakima Mayor Dave Edler complained Monday that he's being targeted by the National Rifle Association for his membership in a gun-control organization called Mayors Against Illegal Guns.
Edler said that local members of the NRA have been pressuring him in recent days to quit the "anti-gun" group, which he described as a nonpartisan organization made up of more than 450 mayors across the country.
"This organization's sole desire is to keep illegal guns out of the hands of criminals, the mentally ill and juveniles," he said during a media briefing at City Hall.
Edler said Yakima's problems with gang violence are well documented and that Washington state is the No. 4 exporter of illegal firearms to Mexico and the No. 1 exporter to Canada.
"It's an issue of law and order and life and death," he said.
A flier that is being distributed by the NRA accuses Mayors Against Illegal Guns of being a front group formed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to support new federal restrictions on guns.
The flier said the group wants to regulate gun shows "out of existence," opposes reform of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and supports repeal of a federal law known as the Tiahrt Amendment that limits the disclosure of sensitive firearm trace data.
Edler accused the NRA of exaggerating or mischaracterizing the group's goals. For example, he said the mayors group wants sellers at gun shows to have to perform the same kind of background checks that gun dealers must perform.
"The goal is to target irresponsible sales of guns," he said, not gun sales in general.
Russ Harman, a retired electrician and treasurer of the NRA-affiliated Yakima Rifle and Pistol Association, said he had received an alert from the NRA about Edler's involvement in the mayors group.
Harman said he has known Edler for years and shares the mayor's concerns about the need for gun show background checks.
And though he believes Edler is personally honorable, Harman said experience with opponents of gun rights make him skeptical about the true purpose of groups like Mayors Against Illegal Guns.
"Somebody always jumps on the bandwagon," he said, adding that "anything that chips away at our base beliefs is a bad thing."
* Chris Bristol can be reached at 509-577-7748 or cbristol@yakimaherald.com.
God Bless the NRA for fighting for our Right To Bare arms.
Report ViolationGod bless the NRA for their willingness to allow illegal purchase of guns. It's all about profit, this just demonstrates that.
Report ViolationSeriously? So ridiculous...
Report ViolationNo, not seriously. I just like to stir the pot. I know right wingers just can't stand dissent, so saying the most outrageous thing possible usually does the trick.
Report ViolationLock down the borders, deport every last illegal alien and magically 95% of the problem is solved but our "people person" and this "Group" are not interested in fixing any problems, just a cover group for gun-control. You must ask yourself how many of these "Mayors" are pushing for deportation of illegal aliens in their cities? None, they could careless about gun safety or your safety, just potential voters so they can maintain power and their big egos. As for profits I know of nobody in the business of selling guns who would sell a gun illegally. They all have much more class than politicians who sell themselves daily.
Report ViolationEdler statements
"This organization's sole desire is to keep illegal guns out of the hands of criminals, the mentally ill and juveniles,"
It is not their sole desire, it is there desire to take the firearms out of the hands of all who owns firearms. This will only disarm the law abiding and create more crime in our crime riddled community, just asked Washington D.C., Chicago and New York City with the highest crime rates in the U.S., how well are those gun bans really working?
"Edler said Yakima's problems with gang violence are well documented and that Washington state is the No. 4 exporter of illegal firearms to Mexico and the No. 1 exporter to Canada."
Are you kidding me, where in the world are you getting these stats, do you really know what an Illegal Firearm is? And if you were up on this whole issue there have been a small percentage of trace data to support your comment as the Mexican Government would not release enough information to trace data to come up with a conclusion, and Yakima being number 4, how ridiculous.
According to ATF Trace Data Yakima is 4th in Washington State for Firearms with a Washington Recovery, no where does it talk about MEXICO.
Washington State Total Traces 2536
New York Total Traces 5407
Washington D.C. Total Traces 1132
Illinois Total Traces 6536
California Total Traces 15766
And you expect us to believe we are number 4 in providing illegal guns to Mexico and number 1 to Canada.
John Stossel reports on Gun Control Reduces Crime.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_YTM_eAWnQ&feature=player_embedded
By partaking in groups as this you are doing the Citizens of Yakima and the U.S. a disservice in hindering their ability to defend themselves legally.
If Mayor Against Illegal Guns went after enforcing laws on the books to put away the criminals that use guns illegally would be a good start.
Shouldn't the name be Mayors Against Guns Being Used Illegally!
Rants like BigDave's "...doing the citizens of the US a disservice..." really irk me. The NRA is one of the groups most unable to handle dissent. What gun lobby do you work for, BigDave? Or what end of the gun industry?
Report ViolationAre they kidding? With our almost daily gang shooting Yakima is a case study in why we need stricter gun control. Bizarre that they would pick Yakima. Should go under the "What Were They Thinking?" category.
I keep hearing about guns being needed for protection but they are seldom used for it. In the UK you can't own handguns. Last year the US had 14,000 gun deaths. The UK had 23. But a burglar was 6 times more likely to be met with a gun in the UK. So apparently that argument is moot.
I wish Mayor Edler well, and hope he doesn't cave to the NRA thugs who cannot stand any dissent. And quoting a John Stossel piece? Seriously?! Too funny. yeah, the UK stats are just too much truth for some, though they sure get red faced trying.
Report Violation[Sourdough] Rant lol Fact is more like it take time to read up on it and make an informed choice or decision.
[Tired of the Right Spin] more gun control is not the answer but enforcing what laws we have is a good start.
Lets take a look at more gun control, it has not worked through out many States, Cities and other Countries such as New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, California, Austria, England as well, how much failure does it take before they figure it out more gun control does not work as criminals do not abide by the laws so you end up restricting the law abiding citizen.
Many anti's like to confuse the Criminal Element with the Law Abiding and Legal Use of Firearms, there are no more alike then there are good and bad people of what ever race there is.
Take a look at these links to read about people that successfully defend themselves daily in the U.S.
http://www.claytoncramer.com/gundefenseblog/atom.xml
http://news.search.yahoo.com/news/rss?p=home invasion&ei=UTF-8&fl=0&x=wrt
I have no issue with anyone of not wanting a firearms nor choose to use one for self defense that is your choice however it is my choice as well to defend myself if the need is forced upon me.
Here in Yakima there has been incidents where the law abiding citizens have used firearms to defend themselves, just the latest was earlier this year around 1st and I Street where a man was attacked and being beaten he defended himself but with your ideas it would have been illegal for him to protect himself, now where does that fit into your ideals.
I do strongly believe in the law abiding citizens right to self defense and to take that right seriously, become aware and knowledgeable in that right and exercise it.
"In the UK you can't own handguns. Last year the US had 14,000 gun deaths. The UK had 23. But a burglar was 6 times more likely to be met with a gun in the UK. So apparently that argument is moot."
This is bogus information please reference your source, remember Guns in the UK has a gun ban and citizen cannot have guns in their homes, so if one was to use a gun as you say would be a criminal by protecting theirself and families.
Lets look at the Burglary stats where Scotland, Australia, England and Wales, Canada all are higher per capita then the United States.
http://gunfacts.info/pdfs/gun-facts/5.1/gun-facts-5.1-screen.pdf
In the UK they have a HANDGUN ban, not a long gun ban. You can own as many rifles and shotguns as you like as long as they are registered.
Report ViolationIs this where you want us to be?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGVAQOUi6ec
England Citizens have found out the hard way.
BigDave wrote:
"It is not their sole desire, it is there[sic] desire to take the firearms out of the hands of all who owns[sic] firearms."
Since you're such a lover of facts, Dave, let's see some proof of this statement. My bet is, you don't have any. This statement sounds more like conclusion than a fact. If this is your conclusion, upon what FACT is it based?
Are you, by any chance, from Texas?
As a young man, I was a member of NRA. I quit when they became radicalized (about the same time Charlton Heston became their leader).
There is a lot of difference between having the right to bear arms and supporting the right of, for instance, insane illegal alien 8-year-olds to purchase an uzi without a background check. That's the sort of thing the NRA now supports--it's like they tossed common sense out the window at some point.
The right to bear arms is something I'm sure we all support. But it can not and should not be "absolute". In other words, owning and carrying a lethal weapon is not just a right, it's also a heavy responsiblility and I think it's clear that people who present an obvious danger to society should not be allowed to buy an assault rifle just because they show up at the counter at a gun show.
Our right to bear arms does not extend to illegal aliens, children, psychos or felons. I think that's perfectly fair and reasonable and it doesn't affect my ability to purchase and own a firearm in any way. If a person is in such a hurry to buy a gun that they can't wait a couple days for a background check to be completed, that should be a big red flag and we all have the right to question their motives.
Like many other groups and individuals, the NRA has gone off the deep end and is now actually hurting the very cause they were founded to support. They make responsible people who own guns look bad by supporting things which are irresponsible and which seem to make no sense. It's similar to having the right to drive a car, then insisting it extends to driving the wrong direction on the freeway.
Tex take a look at the links I have posted, and then do a little research yourself, you will benifit from it.
And I was born and raised in Yakima and lived most of my life.
Tex do you support the right to defend yourself and family where ever you maybe legally?
Do you choose to be victimize or worse killed while enjoying your life and liberty?
Is it a right to feel secure in your home and where you may be at that moment in time?
Do you want to be the one saying "I thought I would need never a gun", "I could have saved their life only if".
While we live with disasters and emergencies and unexpected attacks in our lives do you really just want to accept the outcome some criminal imposes upon you, what if it your child, elderly parent or your wife or you for that matter.
Having a firearms is a grave responsibility and should be taken very seriously but should not be infringed upon as Stated in the 2nd Amendment, Washington State Constitution making it an individual right and Revised Code of Washington.
The Mayor and Council took a oath to up hold the Constitution, the Washington State Constitution and the RCW's, being involved in Mayors Against Illegal Guns who's agenda is other then what the name indicates.
Do you know what an illegal gun is?
[DerekTyler Wrote] "As a young man, I was a member of NRA. I quit when they became radicalized (about the same time Charlton Heston became their leader).
There is a lot of difference between having the right to bear arms and supporting the right of, for instance, insane illegal alien 8-year-olds to purchase an uzi without a background check. That's the sort of thing the NRA now supports--it's like they tossed common sense out the window at some point."
Derek you are making things up the NRA has never supported such issues of illegal aliens and much less 8 year old to purchase any weapon, I challenge you to support your accusations.
[DerekTyler Wrote]"Like many other groups and individuals, the NRA has gone off the deep end and is now actually hurting the very cause they were founded to support. They make responsible people who own guns look bad by supporting things which are irresponsible and which seem to make no sense. It's similar to having the right to drive a car, then insisting it extends to driving the wrong direction on the freeway."
What issue or issues did they support what you say be specific.
By the way driving a car or having a license to drive is a privilege not a right. The right to keep and bear arms is a right.
(This comment has been removed by a Yakima Herald-Republic moderator)
Do ANY of you realize that there is NO WAY to take the guns out of the hands of gangs, or any other criminal, by passing laws? They are criminals because they pay no attention to laws, and will ALWAYS be able to obtain a gun whenever they want. Don't be either naive or stupid.
Furthermore, "illegal" guns are not being sold to Mexico from Yakima, or from any reputable gun dealer in this country. Most, (about 90%) of the guns that the cartels get are STOLEN from others like them, or PURCHASED FROM CORRUPT MILITARY AND POLICE right there in Mexico. There are a few Mexican Nationals here who I have seen buy guns - pistols and large-bore rifles with very powerful scopes that I was suspicious about. In one case, I stood by while the dealer called his info into the FBI. The application stated the customer was a Mexican National and he told the dealer he was, "Going hunting". Maybe he was - or wasn't - but I truly wondered why he needed 1000 rounds of 308 ammo to go hunting with. There may be a few, like I said, who buy guns, even legally under the Federal application process. The loophole, as I see it, would be NOT to sell guns of any kind to foreign nationals from any country. That would stop the few that MAY make it south of the border.
As to Canada - if they aren't allowed to own handguns, then I don't doubt they would be willing to come here and buy one to sneak back. Same for Mexico.
Funny - Mexico does NOT allow private gun ownership for any kind of gun, yet nearly every Tom, Dick, and Harry down there has one. But, he doesn't get them from dealers here. If anything, he gets them from the same crook on the street that supplies the gangs and rest of the criminals - the criminals themselves.
All this drivel about getting illegal weapons from he U.S. is just that - drivel, and or outright lies, (Hillary Clinton).
BigDave -
You say, "And I was born and raised in Yakima and lived most of my life." Now there's a sentence your English teacher can be proud of. Where did you go to school? I'm guessing not Yakima SD#7, I got a pretty good education there.
I looked at some of what you consider sources, none of which prove your assertion that "...it is there desire to take the firearms out of the hands of all who owns firearms." I'm sure it will surprise you to learn that I'm a gun owner, and have been for 40 years. Nobody I know wants to take your guns away from you. What do you and the NRA fear might result from regulating gun show sales?
Nick -
By your reasoning I'm either naive or stupid because I support strong anti-drunk driving laws, even though I know that irresponsible people will ALWAYS be able to obtain liquor whenever they want.
OK, so the NRA is upset. Make a note of it and move on. With Yakima's violence problems, any organization that can help with illegal guns should be welcomed with open arms. With over 450 members - all elected officials - it is pretty hard to imagine they are very far from the NRA's approved party line.
The NRA has been dominating gun policy in the US since the 60s - not much evidence that is working well for anyone but gun sellers and criminals.
If there is any basis to Edler's claim "that Washington state is the No. 4 exporter of illegal firearms to Mexico and the No. 1 exporter to Canada", we should all be trying to get to the bottom of that. If it's false, it shouldn't take too much to prove it. If it's true that could explain the NRA's interest.
Since Yakima has been the hub at the end of a major Mexican drug pipeline for decades, the claim doesn't seem too farfetched, at least for the southbound weapons. Any businessperson will attempt to maximize the return on their backhaul - particularly when you are already up to your neck in cash.
Yup Tex smoetmies I dnot proof raed etverytihng but can you sitll raed it? LOL
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