| . |
| AS I SEE IT: The NRA is
concerned with protecting all rights
By RON LENTZ I have been a member of the National Rifle Association for five years, but it wasn't until the convention last weekend that I truly understood what the NRA stood for. Until recently, I supported its cause but didn't always agree with some of its positions. As an avid outdoorsman, I didn't worry about guns that were not an integral part of my avocation. I didn't see that restrictions on some types of guns were wrong. I thought that many members of the NRA went overboard to protect their precious guns. Last weekend, I learned important lessons and now think differently. I understand the fear that many people have of guns and of the criminals who bear them. I have been the victim of an armed robbery. I understand how many people believe that if we got rid of all guns, we might reduce violent crime. I truly believe that if there were no guns, we would not have robberies and murders where the criminals used guns. We would not have accidental shootings, and we would not have to worry that a criminal would point a gun at us to steal money or our lives. But suppose we went to that extreme. Maybe we should look at other types of criminal and anti-social behavior. Maybe, to protect ourselves from drug dealers and users, we should allow the police to search our homes, selves and vehicles without a warrant. If they were allowed to search anywhere anytime, we would be free of drugs. In order to abolish publications that promote hate and fear or pornography, maybe we should ban all books, magazines and newspapers, as well as radio and television broadcasts. Remove the medium and the spread of hate will be abolished. Never mind that the vast majority of publications and broadcasts don't contain hate, promote violence or pornography. While we're at it, all criminals caught red-handed should be sentenced immediately and, if the crime is severe enough, executed. Forget the trial. Forget due process. We could rid ourselves of anything bad if we just forget the Bill of Rights. But I'm not willing to do that. Neither were the Founding Fathers. Nor is the NRA. We don't support criminals or those who use guns carelessly. But we believe that law-abiding citizens should have the right to own guns. Is there anyone who believes that our homes, cars and selves are not private and should be free from illegal search and seizure? The NRA believes so strongly that our rights are unalienable and should never be infringed that members would rather die than lose those rights. Our forefathers thought the same. The NRA isn't just about protecting gun rights. We're about protecting all rights. Is it so wrong to believe in freedom? I believe in the NRA and fully support its cause. My rights are too valuable. They came at too great a cost. I will never give them up. Ron Lentz lives in Lee's Summit. |