Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. Russ Thurman The Cravings Of Gun-Ban Addicts he Supreme Court’s ruling in late movement. Among this group are wealthy terest of public safety.” June that the Second Amendment supporters, well-entrenched politicians, an So, in the opinion of gun-ban addicts, means exactly what it says: “. overwhelmingly supportive media and le- those in the firearm industry — and gun the right of the people to keep and bear gions of addicts. owners — are ideological extremists, arms, shall not be infringed,” has intensiWith the Supreme Court’s ruling, the comparable to criminals, who attack pubfied the battle for firearm freedoms. Does gun-ban addicts are energized. They will lic safety. that seem at odds with what The Supreme Court’s is without question a victoruling, for all its enormous ry of immense magnitude? benefits, presents a chalIt is not. lenge: How do you conYes, the ruling is one to vince Mr. & Mrs. Average be celebrated by Americans American that there’s still who cherish our Constitua fight to be fought? This tional freedoms. However, it also applies to many in the is detestable to those whose industry. “The fight is over. goal is to rid our country of We won. Plus, I’ve got to the private ownership of fireworry about a drop in sales, arms. Even more than that, it because of the economy.” serves to energize the antiThe worst thing we can gun movement. do is to assume that all is In reality, those who have well. Remember, we’re dedicated their lives to this While there are reasons to celebrate the Supreme Court’s decision, the fight dealing with addicts — anti-freedom movement not is far from over. they need a fix, and anothonly want to ban guns, they er, and another. need to ban guns. They are addicted to the continue to push their “sensible gun laws,” We all must continue to fight anticause. Every new anti-gun law, zoning while publicly ridiculing gun owners. gun battles in our cities, counties, legislation, shipping ordinance, registraNote this portion of Paul Helmke’s states and at the national level. That’s tion requirement, licensing fee increase, statement following the Supreme Court’s a given, and a continuing part of doing etc., is a “fix” for the gun-ban addict. decision: “The Heller decision, howev- business today. The euphoria, however, is short-lived, er, will most likely embolden criminal Just as important, if not more so, is to and another fix is needed. The hardcore, defendants, and ideological extremists, vote this November and educate all those dedicated addict is dependent on more and to file new legal attacks on existing gun around us on the gun ownership positions more gun-ban fixes, and there is no cure laws. With the help of the Brady Cen- of those running for office. — not for the anti-gun radicals who are ter’s legal team, those attacks can, and The fight for our freedoms as guaranthe movers and shakers of the anti-gun/ban must, be successfully resisted in the in- teed in the Constitution is far from over. T Education, Registration Key To Election T he NSSF has an invaluable tool to help educate voters on where political candidates stand on gun ownership, shooting and hunting. Visit www.nssf.org and click on “Voter Education.” The site provides extensive information on the presidential candidates and general election news. (See page 11 of this issue for more information.) NSSF also announced in July a major effort to register sportsmen and women to vote. By visiting www.nssf.org/register, a person can register and receive valuable information. NSSF is also asking those throughout the industry for their help by adding the campaign’s logo to Web sites, along with a link to www.nssf.org/register. “As recent history has demonstrated, elections can be decided by just a small margin, so it’s not a cliché to say that every vote, and every voter, counts,” said Steve Sanetti, NSSF president. “We need your help to build and maintain the ranks of firearms-friendly AUGUST 2008 voters by supporting and assisting this vitally important voter registration.” On the “Don’t Risk Your Rights” Web site, Sanetti makes it clear that progun voters are lagging in voter turnout. “Here’s the sobering truth: So far in this presidential election, there has been a two-to-one turnout difference between voters supporting anti-gun candidates, versus voters supporting pro-gun candidates. Hunters and shooters are on the wrong side of two-toone odds,” Sanetti said. For information on how to place the “Don’t Risk Your Rights” logo on your Web site, visit www.nssf.org. Continued on page 45 www.shootingindustry.com 46