NRA To Talk To Biden, But Not About Gun Control

[meegbear]

Source: tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com

The Great Conversation about gun violence in America takes a big step Thursday as representatives of the gun rights community, including the National Rifle Association, sit down with Vice President Biden and his gun violence task force.

But before the meeting began, the NRA made it clear one subject is off limits: new gun laws. In keeping with the organization’s hardline stance following the Newtown shooting, the NRA signaled Thursday morning that while any subject is on the table when it comes to preventing gun deaths, new gun regulations are a non-starter.

“The NRA is hearing not just from Beltway elites and the chattering class, but real Americans all over the country that are hoping the NRA is not going to compromise on any of the principles of the Second Amendment, nor are we going to support banning guns,” an NRA official told Politico. “But we’re willing to listen.”

The official told Politico “We are willing to talk to policymakers about any reasonable proposals and plans.” However it seems clear from the NRA’s messaging before Thursday’s meeting that “reasonable” does not include limits on magazine capacity, semi-automatic weapons or other gun regulations reportedly under consideration by Biden’s task force and other politicians working on gun violence after Newtown. On Meet The Press Dec. 23, NRA vice president Wayne LaPierre rejected those ideas as well as the very concept of the so-called “gun show loophole.”

Read more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/01/nra-white-house-meeting.php?ref=fpnewsfeed

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Then why the fuck even show up LaPierre?

[UncleYoder]

1. Battle lines being drawn,

Nobody's right when everybody's wrong.


We didn't ask for this fight, but now we will see it to the end.
With the NRA or without, things will change.

[Robb]

2. What assholes. They will lose.

[MynameisBlarney]

3. Fuck the NRA

What a bunch of goddamned assholes. Who are they to tell Biden what the rules are?

[groundloop]

4. This should have happened years ago.....

Sit down representatives from the gun industry, gun lobbyists, NRA, hunters, etc. and simply ask them how to prevent these sorts of senseless homicides. Maybe they come up with some useful ideas, in which case something should be able to get done, or they come up with nothing and we move on without them.

edit to add:

I fully expect the NRA will have nothing to add to this conversation, and I wouldn't put it past Biden to (rightfully) tell them to go fuck themselves. Other gun groups (hunters, law enforcement, etc.) might actually be able to contribute.

[JDPriestly]

11. This could be a good start. If nothing else, the stance of the NRA will be put up for all to see.

And then in a democratic fashion, the nation can discuss it's ideas along with the ideas of the anti-gun and gun-limitations groups.

This starts the talking part of a dialogue that we have needed to have since the shooting in the Texas tower in the 1960s.

[BlueStreak]

5. Then I guess Biden won't call on them very often

The NRA are already seen as extremists, even by their own membership. It will only help the cause of getting better laws in place if the NRA continues to present themselves as lunatics.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

6. They will hear, but not listen. Speak, but not talk.

In terms of an actual discussion, they're functionally useless.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

7. Joe should very (VERY) publicly "dis-invite" the NRA from the meeting

It's for people looking for productive solutions. If you're not on board, you're not invited.

[Hoyt]

8. Write them off as a right wing terrorist organization, and do something meaningful on guns.

[glinda]

9. That is obviously what they have become. They are bullying and threatening while

stoking hate and arming the vulnerable.What a sick bunch. Kick them out.

[Tempest]

10. Fuck these guys

Issue an executive order if that's what it takes.

[onehandle]

12. NRA, give our regards to oblivion. You have been widely outed for the pariah you are. nt

[frylock]

13. fuck the NRA. they should be inviting the CEOs of the gun manufacturers..

why the hell even invite the NRA when they are clearly not open to any type of regulation?