A Closer Look at Bush’s Record on Guns
by James Buchanan
Some people are shocked by a new proposed law that will allow the government to deny gun rights to anyone the Feds declare a “suspected terrorist.” The NRA has strongly objected to this even though Bush has made his usual promises that the bill will be used to fight terrorism and not to take gun rights away from ordinary Americans.
The terrorism problem supposedly stems from the Mid East. Why not cut off all immigration from that part of the world? And why not deport any suspected terrorist from the Mid East? Isn’t it a little crazy to cut off gun rights for a suspected terrorist while letting him stay in the US?
There were a couple signs early on that George Bush really didn’t believe in the importance of armed citizens. Shortly after the 911 attack, Bush stubbornly refused to arm the pilots. If 911 had been a real terrorist attack, this would be the one most logical and effective action (aside from banning young Middle Eastern men from flying on our planes). Bush could have passed an executive order to get this done immediately.
Instead, Bush passed the issue off to Congress, which dragged its feet for months and months and created so many hurdles and requirements that only two percent of pilots ever became armed. Did Bush know something about 911 that we don’t know? Such as 911 being an “inside job” which would mean arming the pilots really wouldn’t change things. (more…)