Not Gun Shy

I was going to write about how the leadership of the National Rifle Association - not its rank-and-file members, its leadership - is the slimiest set of lobbyists in Washington, but alas, they're not that reputable. It seems that the NRA leadership has endorsed a proposal to make concealed weapon permits in different states valid nationwide by federal law, overriding restrictions in other states. A bill that would in fact override state laws against concealed firearms was passed by the Republican House - with some Democratic support - and it now has to be voted on by the Senate. Already, several Senate Democrats, including New Jersey's Frank Lautenberg, are working to make sure the bill gets defeated, or at least filibustered to death.

New Jersey, in addition to having some of the most dangerous real estate in America, has one of the toughest hidden gun laws in the country. This bill would theoretically make it easier for out-of-staters to come in, possibly to sell illegal drugs, and make life in Newark and Camden even worse than it already is. Some states, like Florida, are so lax in issuing concealed weapon permits that ex-convicts can get them. How many Republicans in New Jersey's House delegation supported this wrong-headed idea? All six of them.

Except that NRA rank-and-file members overwhelmingly oppose this bill, and they've lobbied their own lobby against it. Apparently NRA leaders listen to their members as much as congressman listen to constituents who support taxing millionaires. That is to say ,they don't.

This bill passed the House last week, the same week a man from Idaho fired rounds at the White House in hope of assassinating the President.

Speaking of concealment, I can't conceal my anger over this. That's why I'm posting this on the anniversary of the John F. Kennedy assassination.