The NRA Totally ANNIHILATES Mitch Landrieu’s Gun Control Agenda With This Open Letter

Following the announcement from New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu that he is looking to expand gun control measures across the city, the National Rifle Association (NRA) has penned a brutal take-down of that proposal.

Featured at NOLA.com, the letter to Landrieu is by NRA Louisiana Spokeswoman Amy Hunter, in which she argues that all the policies proposed by the mayor will do is strip law-abiding citizens of their guns.

Take a look at the full letter here:

When New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu introduced his new gun control package at Bunny Friend Park recently, he acknowledged the proposed measures would not have stopped the mass shooting that occurred there a year before. But, he said, posting a “firearms prohibited” sign at the park would remind law-abiding gun owners of their responsibilities.

If there is a bigger indictment on the uselessness of these measures, it’s hard to imagine what it could be.  In that stunning statement, Landrieu not only admitted his measures would fail to stop criminal behavior, but also acknowledged that his proposals are aimed at the law-abiding — people who already take the responsibility of gun ownership seriously.

Landrieu is hoping that most voters won’t bother to look at the facts behind what he’s pitching and will instead base their opinions on the appearance he’s so desperately trying to cultivate: That he’s tough on crime.

The vast majority of what the mayor pitched at Bunny Friend Park is already illegal under state law, and for the most part, the penalties are stiffer under state law. So, essentially, he’s actually proposed ordinances that lessen the penalties for serious firearm offenses.

Among the many redundancies, however, were two new pieces of law — a requirement that law-abiding citizens report lost and stolen firearms and an expansion of gun-free zones.

The latter Landrieu himself admitted would be ineffective.  Common sense also dictates that to be the case.  How many violent criminals are stopped because of a sign that says “no guns?” It’s ridiculous to presume that someone who is planning to do something violent and illegal, such as rob a person at gunpoint, will stop when he sees a sign reminding him guns are not allowed. To Landrieu’s specific point — that such a sign would remind gun owners of their responsibility — is that really necessary?  And how does that increase public safety?

The National Rifle Association says it a lot, but we will say it again: Criminals do not abide gun-free zones. There is no conscionable reason the government should force law-abiding gun owners to leave themselves defenseless because they’ve crossed an arbitrary line.

The second piece of new legislation, reporting lost or stolen firearms, is equally absurd.  It’s another example of the typical gun control tactic: Create a patchwork of technical regulations that ensnare responsible gun owners and do nothing to reduce actual crime. Reporting a lost gun to law enforcement does not mean law enforcement then opens an investigation and recovers that firearm. On the contrary, reporting a stolen firearm simply means the theft is recorded. Reporting benefits the victim for insurance reasons and in the event that firearm is later used in a crime, but it does not prevent a later crime from happening.  It does nothing to enhance public safety.

Perhaps most upsetting, this law can only be used against the law-abiding. If you’ve got a stolen gun, you can’t report it missing. The only people for whom this law can be enforced are those who already respect the law, who legally purchase their firearms and who keep track of them. Those individuals should be celebrated, not targeted.

There is a crime problem in New Orleans, and there is much that could be done to reduce firearm-related violence.  Unfortunately, not a single item on Landrieu’s list would further law enforcement’s ability to achieve that goal. He staged a fanciful press conference in an emotionally significant location to create the image that he’s doing something for the people of his city. It’s politics at its worst. And it’s shameful.

The men and women of the National Rifle Association are law-abiding, patriotic and responsible gun owners. Further regulating them and all Second Amendment supporters does nothing to enhance public safety. Landrieu needs to go after the criminals. Prosecute criminal behavior. Restrict and sentence those who disobey the law. He needs to leave the rest of us alone.

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