Human rights are at stake

http://tinyurl.com/xlmr

Gun rights are at stake
By Alan Gottlieb
More than two years after the 9/11 atrocities, nobody would consider 
thwarting honest legislation aimed at preventing terrorists from obtaining 
firearms for further attacks on American citizens.

But there is good reason for Americans to be cautious about blindly 
endorsing the proposed Terrorist Apprehension Act, sponsored by Sen. Frank 
Lautenberg, D-N.J., a traditional opponent of firearms civil rights. That 
bill ostensibly would give law enforcement greater ability to monitor gun 
purchases by people on a "terrorist watch list."

Lautenberg has an additional bill in the shadows, the so-called Homeland 
Security Gun Safety Act of 2003. This bill essentially would circumvent 
federal firearms law governing background checks and retention of records 
on millions of law-abiding citizens. It would not be surprising to see the 
issue of terrorism used as an excuse to enact far-reaching legislation that 
would infringe on the firearms civil rights of Americans.

Lautenberg has yet to confer with gun-rights groups on either bill — a 
signal that he is less interested in snaring terrorists than in further 
eroding our gun rights.

There are other nagging questions about the Terrorist Apprehension Act, not 
the least of which is how someone winds up on a "terrorist watch list." Are 
these people foreign nationals, or does the list include U.S. citizens 
whose only crime, perhaps, is having an unusual family name, ethnic 
heritage or religious belief? Are they on the list because of known 
terrorist activity? Why were they allowed into the USA in the first place, 
and why aren't they deported when found? Why wait until they try to buy a 
gun?

Unfortunately, the sponsors of this legislation have a well-established 
track record of opposition to anyone — not just terrorists — owning 
firearms. Some might reasonably argue that a terrorist, in Lautenberg's 
narrow view, is anyone who wants to buy a gun or already owns one.

No one wants to arm a terrorist. However, no American should be willing to 
make it easy to trample on the rights of our fellow citizens in the process 
of protecting our freedom and liberty. To do so would let the terrorists 
win.

Alan Gottlieb is chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep 
and Bear Arms. The Justice Department declined an offer to write the 
Opposing view.

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Yours In Liberty,  Melissa  - Colorado, U.S.A.

"Guns Defend Life & Liberty" license plate frame  
http://www.cafeshops.com/melissa_photo

Would like to make friends in the west Denver area with similar interests & 
values. -> Shaolin-based Martial arts, Writing, Rock music, Sci-Fi, Chess, 
Libertarian, Objectivist, RKBA, guns & Shooting, polyamory.