Despite long odds, on Tuesday night, Barack Obama managed to turn in a State of the Union performance that was filled with more theatrical pandering than the event is typically known for. Once again seeking to capitalize off tragedy by opting for emotional, rather than reasoned arguments, the President reiterated his support for increased background checks and bans on common semi-automatic firearms and their magazines, which he referred to as "weapons of war and massive ammunition magazines."
As usual, Obama's remarks were short on evidence that his gun control proposals would work. Of course, that evidence is sorely lacking--and who would know that better than the experts at his own Justice Department?
In a white paper dated January 4 and obtained by NRA-ILA, the deputy director of the National Institute for Justice--DOJ's research and evaluation agency--said that the proposals before Congress are unlikely to have an effect unless they are made even more draconian. For instance, the document makes clear that the effectiveness of "universal" background checks "depends on … requiring gun registration." On the topic of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, NIJ writes, "In order to have an impact, large capacity magazine regulation needs to sharply curtail availability to include restrictions on importation, manufacture, sale, and possession." As for popular semi-automatic firearms, the NIJ notes, "Since assault weapons are not a major contributor to U.S. gun homicide and the existing stock of guns is large, an assault weapons ban is unlikely to have an impact on gun violence. If coupled with a gun buyback and no exemptions then it could be effective."
The NRA's response was clear and strong. The evening of the speech, NRA-ILA released the memo along with a hard-hitting ad. In the ad, NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox points out these highlights of the memo and urges viewers to call Congress in opposition to new anti-gun legislation.
And two days after the speech, in a speech to the National Wild Turkey Federation's annual convention, NRA Executive Vice-President Wayne LaPierre commented on what was notably absent in the State of the Union address: "It was only a few weeks ago when they were marketing their anti-gun agenda as a way of protecting school children from harm… That charade ended at the State of the Union, when the president himself exposed their fraudulent intentions. It's not about keeping kids safe at school. That wasn't even mentioned in the president's speech."
To ensure lawmakers know you will hold them accountable if they support such legislation, contact your legislators by using NRA-ILA.org's "Write Your Representatives" tool or contact Congress by phone at (202) 224-3121.
Obama Justice Department Reveals Truth About State of the Union Claims
Friday, February 15, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2024
The Colorado General Assembly continues to follow California's lead when it comes to gun control, this year already pushing for an 11% Excise tax on firearms/ammunition and now pursuing a ban on commonly owned semi-automatic ...
Friday, March 15, 2024
Yesterday, the governor signed Wisconsin Act 116, formally Senate Bill 587, into law. This legislation establishes a new definition for “muzzleloaders” that would allow for the use of innovative technological advancements that could benefit sportsmen, ...
Friday, March 15, 2024
For months, anti-gun politicians and gun-grabbing groups have been running wild in Augusta, spreading misinformation about firearms in a desperate attempt to pass the most extreme gun-control in the country. The proposals carry the same theme, ...
Friday, March 15, 2024
Last night, the Delaware Senate passed Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) by a vote of 15 to 6. This extreme legislation will impose a Maryland-style “handgun qualified purchase card” and a handgun transfer ...
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
The newly elected Virginia General Assembly has prioritized restricting law-abiding citizens' Second Amendment rights and has made good on that priority this session. This year, dozens of anti-gun bills have been considered in both chambers ...