Jimmy Carter | 04/27/2009 10:30 am

Jimmy Carter Takes on NRA: 'Political Blackmail' Prevents Assault Weapon Ban

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Jimmy Carter penned a New York Times op-ed this morning in which he urges Americans, specifically the National Rifle Association, to rally around a ban on assault weapons. A ten-year ban expired during the Bush administration and the White House, insists Carter, bowed to the gun industry and refused to renew prohibitive laws restricting assault weapons, which Carter says have one use: to kill police officers and wreak social havoc.

His piece, entitled "What Happened to the Ban on Assault Weapons?" takes aim at what he describes as the NRA’s use of "political blackmail" to persuade people to their side of the battle:

Heavily influenced and supported by the firearms industry, N.R.A. leaders have misled many gullible people into believing that our weapons are going to be taken away from us, and that homeowners will be deprived of the right to protect ourselves and our families. The N.R.A. would be justified in its efforts if there was a real threat to our constitutional right to bear arms. But that is not the case.

The gun lobby and the firearms industry should reassess their policies concerning safety and accountability — at least on assault weapons — and ease their pressure on acquiescent politicians who fear N.R.A. disapproval at election time. We can’t let the N.R.A.’s political blackmail prevent the banning of assault weapons — designed only to kill police officers and the people they defend.

Gun advocates are already criticizing Carter’s piece. Jeff Soyer of Alphecca writes, "[Carter] supports such “modest restraints” as mandatory registration. Hitler did that. The British did that. The Aussies did that. Then, law abiding citizens in those countries had their firearms confiscated. We know what happened in Germany, next." Soyer signs off by telling the former president to "go [expletive] yourself."

Read more about: Assault Weapons, Gun Control, Jimmy Carter, News, NRA, Politics, White House

27 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

There is no reason why anyone should need or have access to assault weapons. And for people, like Jeff Soyer, to make over the top comparisons to Hitler is not only counter productive, it shows that they do not have a RATIONAL argument against registration of guns or banning assault weapons, so they resort to knee jerk, emotional buzz words.

By DeBúrca obj on 04/27/2009 10:46 am

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and what a mature young man to say "go %*^$& yourself"

By Amanda C on 04/27/2009 3:52 pm

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Yes, and just think that idiot has a gun!

By DeBúrca obj on 04/27/2009 5:00 pm

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*chuckle* as a gun owner myself, i have to say i have cussed as well… *blush* but i wouldn’t use my gun to make my point if you know what i mean!

By Amanda C on 04/27/2009 5:07 pm

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i’m sure you believe "assault weapons" are bad…but what is an assault weapon? a pump shotgun? a standard issue service pistol? we’re not talking about those crazy guns here….we’re not even talking about the top 10 guns used in crimes…nor are we talking about the top 10 guns used to kill cops.

i sense you’re knee jerk response is due to fear, not understanding what that legislation did to honest, level headed citizens

By pablo modiano on 04/27/2009 10:10 pm

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DeBurca,

Try this RATIONAL argument against registration: registration & confiscation go together like penutbutter & jelly.

see Britian, Australia, and Ireland for examples. There are many more, but that should give you a good start. Oh, and that Hitler fellow you mentioned?……he had all private fireanms ceased, once he was able to register them.

just resorting to kneejerk, emotional FACTS, I must be.

Those AR-15’s and other "assault weapons" you want to ban BTW? They’re only the top selling rifles in the US. The kneejerk, emotional talk banning the most highly-coveted long guns, has, surprise, caused a gigantic spike in their sales.

Want to sell something in America? Try to ban it! See prohibition for more evidence of this.

to attempt an "assault weapons" ban only guarantees massive "assault weapon" proliferation

So, congartulations DeBurca, you just sold more AR-15’s and AK-47’s than in the wildest dreams of the NRA.

By John Lepley on 04/28/2009 4:24 pm

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DeBurca,

Couldn’t agree more. What in the world does any citizen have need for an assault weapon for? There is not rational argument for citizens to own weapons. The assault weapon ban needs to be reinstated ASAP.

By Susan S on 05/07/2009 12:19 pm

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The Democrats lost Congress over this once before, and no one on Capitol Hill has forgotten. To compare Carter to Hitler in any fashion is lunacy and fearmongering. There is no one advocating taking up Smith and Wessons or deer rifles or shotguns. That’s insanity.

Carter is right, why on earth does this country need high velocity assault weaponry? Have we learned nothing from school and university shootings where these very same weapons were easily bought and used?

Who can name one instance where an everyday citizen would need an AK47, unless it is to fend off a SWAT Team.

By Maggie W on 04/27/2009 10:50 am

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"high velocity assault weaponry"? that ma’am, is a hunting rifle. "assault weapons" are not designed to shoot deer from 300yds. a deer rifle is much more powerful and accurate than what you call an "assault weapon".

a scoped high velocity hunting rifle is MUCH MUCH more deadly to human sized game than what you consider an "assault rifle". please, look up the balistic energy data for a .30-06 deer bullet compared to a a much less powerful 7.62 x 39…the .30-06 is sooooo much more deadly at any range, no matter what color the gun is

btw, a scope was not even listed in the assault weapon ban. wouldn’t that be the most deadly addition to a high velocity rifle? wouldn’t you think? bad legislation, written by fools that don’t know anything about guns…except that they’re scared of them.

By pablo modiano on 04/27/2009 10:33 pm

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Ah, dahlings, let us mature woman call the NRA what it is - a marketing association for Winchester, and the like.

By Mommy Dearest on 04/27/2009 11:07 am

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I am a gun sporter but I agree, assault weapons should be banned. I have been around one and they are pretty scary weapons.

By C Hardy on 04/27/2009 11:14 am

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Assault weapons should be banned.

By deber B on 04/27/2009 12:22 pm

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please define "assault weapon".

if you mean full auto machine guns…those have been illegal since the 1930s

By pablo modiano on 04/27/2009 10:42 pm

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There is no reason to have an assault weapon except to kill people.

Those that believe that no weapon should be banned, do they want a working cannon in their yard? or maybe their neighbor should get one and have it pointing to their house….. doesnt sound very reasonable does it?

Who is making the most money on the sale of assault weapons, and how are they associated with the NRA?

By Roger from Ohio on 04/27/2009 12:33 pm

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President Carter does good. He puts his actions behind his beliefs. I applaud him. How dare someone compare him to Hitler? That is just pure ignorance.

By S G on 04/27/2009 1:05 pm