Bob's Grandson
Member
Folks:
I'm going to have a unique opportunity this coming Monday. I and a colleague here at IUPUI in Indianapolis are having lunch with my State Rep, David Orentlicher. What precipitated this was an article in the Indianapolis Star:
http://tinyurl.com/2rcezv
Both my colleague and I were troubled by the legislation he was proposing, i.e. limiting the purchase of a handgun to only one a month. Also we both were insulted by a statement in the article made by Paul Helmke, the former mayor of Fort Wayne and president of the Brady Campaign against Gun Violence. He said:
"The lobby for the NRA and their supporters is strong, and so politicians are afraid," he said. "I've been a politician almost my whole life, so I understand it. These gun pushers are rabid about this issue."
I wrote David, who also teaches here at IUPUI, saying that I am a member of the NRA and support their efforts. To be labeled a "rabid gun pusher" was troubling. I suggested that:
"If you're free for lunch sometime, we could meet and discuss these issues as I get the sense that the circles you move in have few firearms owners and sportsmen (and women) while here, even in the IU School of Liberal Arts, I know several and respect them as colleagues and consider them my friends."
My colleague wrote:
"As a C & R FFL holder, NRA member, collector of WWII firearms (including handguns) and attendee at "gun shows" and one of your colleagues at IUPUI, I wish to express concern about being labeled a "gun pusher" and a rabid one at that. At any given show I may purchase two or more firearms, including handguns, for my collection. The idea that I should be restricted to one a month is patently absurd. You need to inform yourself about who attends and participates in collectors' events such as the Indy Gun and Knife Show. That we are buying lots of AK-47's and handguns for sale to felons is just not true. I understand your honest desire to cure societal ills, but legislation of the kind you're suggesting is only a palative and goes against the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens."
And, to give him credit, David Orentlicher agreed to meet us both and have lunch! So here's my question, if you were in my shoes, what would you say over lunch?
Wayne Husted
I'm going to have a unique opportunity this coming Monday. I and a colleague here at IUPUI in Indianapolis are having lunch with my State Rep, David Orentlicher. What precipitated this was an article in the Indianapolis Star:
http://tinyurl.com/2rcezv
Both my colleague and I were troubled by the legislation he was proposing, i.e. limiting the purchase of a handgun to only one a month. Also we both were insulted by a statement in the article made by Paul Helmke, the former mayor of Fort Wayne and president of the Brady Campaign against Gun Violence. He said:
"The lobby for the NRA and their supporters is strong, and so politicians are afraid," he said. "I've been a politician almost my whole life, so I understand it. These gun pushers are rabid about this issue."
I wrote David, who also teaches here at IUPUI, saying that I am a member of the NRA and support their efforts. To be labeled a "rabid gun pusher" was troubling. I suggested that:
"If you're free for lunch sometime, we could meet and discuss these issues as I get the sense that the circles you move in have few firearms owners and sportsmen (and women) while here, even in the IU School of Liberal Arts, I know several and respect them as colleagues and consider them my friends."
My colleague wrote:
"As a C & R FFL holder, NRA member, collector of WWII firearms (including handguns) and attendee at "gun shows" and one of your colleagues at IUPUI, I wish to express concern about being labeled a "gun pusher" and a rabid one at that. At any given show I may purchase two or more firearms, including handguns, for my collection. The idea that I should be restricted to one a month is patently absurd. You need to inform yourself about who attends and participates in collectors' events such as the Indy Gun and Knife Show. That we are buying lots of AK-47's and handguns for sale to felons is just not true. I understand your honest desire to cure societal ills, but legislation of the kind you're suggesting is only a palative and goes against the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens."
And, to give him credit, David Orentlicher agreed to meet us both and have lunch! So here's my question, if you were in my shoes, what would you say over lunch?
Wayne Husted