Harry Tuttle
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http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04091/293961.stm
Groups target NRA meeting
Gun lobby fights negative attacks
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
By Michael A. Fuoco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Anyone wondering how a newly formed local coalition opposed to gun
violence feels about the National Rifle Association holding its
annual convention in Pittsburgh next month need only look at the name
of the organization's Web site: GoodByeNRA.org.
Yesterday, the Confluence Against Gun Violence fired the first volley
in what likely will be a battle of ideological banter with the NRA
when it held a news conference in Shadyside and characterized the NRA
as a violent, militaristic, racist, sexist and homophobic
organization.
"Pittsburgh says 'No' to the NRA and the NRA leadership and its
racism and hatred and policies of violence," said Nathaniel Glosser,
president of the Rosenberg Institute for Peace & Justice.
Not surprisingly, Andrew Arulanandam, the NRA public affairs
director, denied such charges.
"Certainly there are groups that are behemoth and shrill in their
opposition to the NRA and certainly this is a mischaracterization of
the NRA," he said from Fairfax. Va.
Glosser took umbrage that the NRA's 133rd annual meetings and
exhibits, to be held April 16-18 at the David L. Lawrence Convention
Center, Downtown, are being publicized on billboards locally as "four
acres of guns and gear."
"A large segment of the community is not happy about that," he said.
"Most NRA members are wonderful people who support responsible
handling of guns," said Kenny Steinberg, president of Pennsylvanians
Against Handgun Violence. "The NRA leadership for some reason is
opposed to laws [requiring guns to be unloaded and locked] and any
reasonable legislation."
Also, speaking against the NRA were Hill Jordan of the Pittsburgh
chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People, the Rev. Greg Swiderski of the Association of Pittsburgh
Priests and, as a private citizen, Dr. Edward Mulvey, a professor of
psychiatry at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.
Other groups in the coalition include the Thomas Merton Center, the
Allegheny County Million Mom March and Pittsburgh Stand for Children
Organizing Group.
The speakers said the recent revelation that a 9-year-old boy armed
with his mother's gun accidentally killed postal carrier Clayton J.
Smith at the Crafton-Ingram Shopping Center in June was a tragic
example of why legislation is needed to require adults to be
responsible gun owners.
Glosser said the group plans counter-activities but has no plans to
try to disrupt the NRA sessions. A teach-in will be held April 15 at
the William Pitt Union at the University of Pittsburgh; a candlelight
vigil to remember victims of gun violence will be held the evening of
April 16 outside the convention center; and a rally and concert will
be held there April 17.
The NRA gathering is shaping up to be the largest ever, Arulanandam
said, with more than 55,000 people already registered. Usually, at
this point in the registration process that number would be close to
but less than 50,000, he said.
This year's keynote speaker for the member's banquet has not been
announced, but there is speculation that it will be either President
George W. Bush or Vice President Dick Cheney. Arulanandam said he
could not confirm whether either man would be attending.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
(Michael A. Fuoco can be reached at [email protected] or 412-
263-1968.)
Groups target NRA meeting
Gun lobby fights negative attacks
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
By Michael A. Fuoco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Anyone wondering how a newly formed local coalition opposed to gun
violence feels about the National Rifle Association holding its
annual convention in Pittsburgh next month need only look at the name
of the organization's Web site: GoodByeNRA.org.
Yesterday, the Confluence Against Gun Violence fired the first volley
in what likely will be a battle of ideological banter with the NRA
when it held a news conference in Shadyside and characterized the NRA
as a violent, militaristic, racist, sexist and homophobic
organization.
"Pittsburgh says 'No' to the NRA and the NRA leadership and its
racism and hatred and policies of violence," said Nathaniel Glosser,
president of the Rosenberg Institute for Peace & Justice.
Not surprisingly, Andrew Arulanandam, the NRA public affairs
director, denied such charges.
"Certainly there are groups that are behemoth and shrill in their
opposition to the NRA and certainly this is a mischaracterization of
the NRA," he said from Fairfax. Va.
Glosser took umbrage that the NRA's 133rd annual meetings and
exhibits, to be held April 16-18 at the David L. Lawrence Convention
Center, Downtown, are being publicized on billboards locally as "four
acres of guns and gear."
"A large segment of the community is not happy about that," he said.
"Most NRA members are wonderful people who support responsible
handling of guns," said Kenny Steinberg, president of Pennsylvanians
Against Handgun Violence. "The NRA leadership for some reason is
opposed to laws [requiring guns to be unloaded and locked] and any
reasonable legislation."
Also, speaking against the NRA were Hill Jordan of the Pittsburgh
chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People, the Rev. Greg Swiderski of the Association of Pittsburgh
Priests and, as a private citizen, Dr. Edward Mulvey, a professor of
psychiatry at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.
Other groups in the coalition include the Thomas Merton Center, the
Allegheny County Million Mom March and Pittsburgh Stand for Children
Organizing Group.
The speakers said the recent revelation that a 9-year-old boy armed
with his mother's gun accidentally killed postal carrier Clayton J.
Smith at the Crafton-Ingram Shopping Center in June was a tragic
example of why legislation is needed to require adults to be
responsible gun owners.
Glosser said the group plans counter-activities but has no plans to
try to disrupt the NRA sessions. A teach-in will be held April 15 at
the William Pitt Union at the University of Pittsburgh; a candlelight
vigil to remember victims of gun violence will be held the evening of
April 16 outside the convention center; and a rally and concert will
be held there April 17.
The NRA gathering is shaping up to be the largest ever, Arulanandam
said, with more than 55,000 people already registered. Usually, at
this point in the registration process that number would be close to
but less than 50,000, he said.
This year's keynote speaker for the member's banquet has not been
announced, but there is speculation that it will be either President
George W. Bush or Vice President Dick Cheney. Arulanandam said he
could not confirm whether either man would be attending.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
(Michael A. Fuoco can be reached at [email protected] or 412-
263-1968.)
Really now! 
