In the wake of the Paris attacks, Harry Reid and his buddies have decided that they just can’t let this opportunity slide by – they want to eliminate the so called “terrorist loophole” on firearms:
“Republicans care more about kowtowing to the NRA than preventing terrorists from legally buying assault rifles and explosives like the ones used in the Paris attacks here in America,” Reid said in a statement. “Shockingly, Republicans continue to preserve a loophole that allows FBI terror suspects to buy guns and explosives legally, without background checks.”
Wut. Chuck Schumer got in the act as well:
“Right now there is a major loophole that would make your jaw drop. Under current law, suspected or known terrorists who are on a no fly list can legally purchase firearms and explosives,” Schumer said.
“We have to change this law. No-fly should mean no-buy for terrorists. Right now, amazingly, it does not.”
Motherfucker, that’s not a loophole. That’s how the law was designed. I’ve called out Schumer before when he tried to use this tactic – The problem with this “terrorist loophole” idea is twofold: one, it’s yet another attack on the private selling of firearms without universal background checks, but even worse it would appear that Reid, Schumer and their ilk are saying that they no longer are even pretending to care about due process.
The people on the terrorism watchlist haven’t been convicted of a crime. Techdirt had an article illustrating that 40% of them aren’t even associated with any known terrorist group, that’s 280,000 people. There’s no oversight on how someone is added, and even the ACLU is showing concern over it.
Yet despite this, Schumer & Reid think that it’s ok to strip away civil liberties without even the barest hint of a trial let alone a conviction Naturally their allies have absolutely no problem with this which shows just how fucked up the press is.
Nancy Pelosi was unintentionally ironic when she made this statement that it was:
“outrageous that we would slam the door on women and children but allow terrorists to buy guns.”
Because, you know, it’s wrong to be worried about refugees after fake Syrian passports were used in the Paris attacks and there is a booming black market for them. I agree, it’s wrong to assume that all refugees are terrorists – but when it comes to gun control Reid, Schumer, Pelosi and the rest have absolutely no problem acting like all firearms purchasers are hardened criminals.
What’s almost as bad is that the New York Daily News is using this to bash the NRA. You might remember them from trying to have the NRA declared a terrorist organization back in October.
The hypocrisy is blatant and the fact that nobody of prominence is calling them out for it is sad.
Update: Salon.com has leapt into the fray to seize upon how the NRA is a bunch of mean meanies for wanting people to be convicted before losing their rights:
The GOP will do just about anything to cloak itself in patriotic bellicosity. They’ll send your brothers and sisters into harrowing war zones, poorly equipped and without exit strategies, with enemies blended into the population. They’ll call for the invasion and occupation of nation’s with zero connection to 9/11. They’ll tell us we can’t have a First Amendment if we’re dead. But all of that ends at Wayne LaPierre’s line in the sand. It’s been nine months since the most recent proposal to close the gun gap has been proposed and there’s no real passage in sight, knowing the NRA’s history of strong-arming legislators against the overwhelming will of the people and of common sense. The next time you have to practically strip naked in an airport security line, bear in mind that any would-be terrorist in line with you was easily able to buy a gun. You know, because liberty.
Free speech, voting rights, equal protection and privacy rights for women, and the ability for Muslim-Americans to freely practice their religion is totally up for grabs, but the ability of suspected terrorists to buy a gun shall not be infringed under any circumstances, according to the GOP. It’s difficult to accept how egregiously disgraceful this is, and in a perfect world the GOP would be scolded into submission and the NRA would be exposed for its deadly absolutism. But don’t hold your breath.
It’s a horrible thing that free speech, voting rights, equal protection & privacy rights for women and all the rest are being attacked, so Salon thinks it’s only fair that the 2nd amendment be destroyed as well.
The sheer lack of self awareness.
LouisvilleGun 