I guess I watched a different video and read something different
I guess I watched a different video and read something different
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are reported on good authority to be words in response by the man; I can't vouch for them myself but I believe them - the NRA-ILA response may or may not have been by the PR people who are running the NRA these days - and may or may not reflect Mr. Jackson's own words and thoughts.
Thank you for your letter reference my interview with Texas Monthly on T.V., which was approximately 2 and one half years ago, but the time does not matter. I would like to explain, I was on this show for an interview in reference to my book One Ranger that had just been published. I never got a chance to finish my answer, I was never asked a question in reference to my book, but about the NRA, and police work. I tried to explain but was cut off at the end of the interview. First I would like to make it clear that when I speak of Assault weapons, I am talking about full auto's, which I believe is the correct definition of them. I did not get to explain that not only the Military and Police should have full auto's but that law abiding citizens with permit should and can have them in any magazine capacity. I believe this. Reference to magazine capacity, what I tried to explain and never got the chance is that for hunting rifles, semi-auto of any make, and the person is hunting game that he would and should not have over a 5 round magazine, if he needs more ammo than that to kill a deer, wild hog or what ever then the is a very poor shot and should have instructions if he plans to continue to hunt game, also that is my opinion and I am also aware that if he wants to go into the field with a 20-30 or 40 rd. magazine that is his right.I have used the M-14 as a Ranger with a 20 round magazine and it was one of my favorite weapons. I served 36 years as a State Police officer, 27 of them as a Texas Ranger and I took an oath to uphold and defend the constitution of these United States,, I feel my obligation as a NRA director is the same and I will continue to do this If it should cost my life and that came close a few times during my career. I read your Who gave you the right, and It holds the truth. Thank you for your service to the NRA as a director and to this Country. I apologize for not making myself clear on that T.V, show but some times you get waylaid, if I ever go on another public talk show, I will demand the questions before I sit down. Again thanks and I hope this clears things up for you. I will be talking on the NRA radio when I go to Va. next month and try to clear all this up.
Joaquin Jackson
Certainly nothing by Mr. Jackson then or now has been used to argue against our rights. I don't think given the response there is any harm from the original interview - no harm no foul. I have not seen any use made of the interview or the expansions and corrections for any purpose but to bash the NRA without useful alternatives.
I don't have a problem hunting with a plugged shotgun - actually I use a double - limited to 2 cartridges in 12 gauge and I've even felt comfortable with a double limited to 2 cartridges in .30-'06. I'd not feel undergunned hunting deer with a Garand and a 5 shot limited enbloc clip. I would object to being denied an 8 shot enbloc clip for all other purposes.
I thought Gary "Sam" McNeil, the resource biologist for Idaho Fish and Game was right when he suggested a
hand held shoulder fired rule for hunting rifles to eliminate the very real game waste associated with trailer mounted .50 Brownings. I objected to the weight rule which eliminates some of the old black powder buffalo rifles as used by Elmer Keith himself - but I don't accuse any of the good people who passed the weight rule of being anti-gun or traitors to gun rights. If I could afford one I'd own a Barrett today but I wouldn't complain at being denied the right to plink live game animals at a mile.
Then too I've got a Colt 6920 which I might well use short a couple of cartridges in the magazine (28 in a 30) and a 1911 I might limit to 7 cartridges - and I've not been shy about saying 7 for social use, 8 for games.
Cincinnatti was a group effort - there were for example lots of people out of Illinois and the ISRA - Bob Kukla and Les Fields had as much microphone time as some better remembered names. Perhaps a reminder of how much can be accomplished when people don't care who gets the credit.
My wife and I had a long talk with Max Rich and at that time and place he just didn't get it - saying that everything at the Convention was follow the money; it wasn't for most of us but it may have been then and after for many - but
not all - of the leadership.
Somehow by Seattle the membership was willing to give up membership control in favor of letting somebody else fight the good fight. Thomas Jefferson had some useful thoughts on the need for ongoing struggle - leadership comes and goes but das buro steht immer. What Jerry Pournelle calls the Iron Law of Bureaucracy -
In any bureaucratic organization there will be two kinds of people: those who work to further the actual goals of the organization, and those who work for the organization itself. The Iron Law states that in all cases, the second type of person will always gain control of the organization, and will always write the rules under which the organization functions.
Given current stories in the news I am reminded of G. Ray Arnett at the NRA and I don't know but what some people since have been worse.
I don't know what happened to the spirit that gave us Gun Owners Action League and all folks from Florida who gave us so much success there and then became leaders who backed off from a fight and killed microphones and argued about wireless communication and organization at meetings. I know at the state and national level I see weak organizations fighting for credit not for gun rights.
It may well be that Neal Knox would have led the NRA no better than some folks of equal credentials who did. [I know his writings as much as anybody's remind me guns are fun] Perhaps others could have and should have picked up Mr. Knox's quite pertinent observations and done something more than he was able to do.
For people who have issues with the NRA I hope they are active in their local club and their state association and all the other places where it's easier for one voice to be heard.
In any event the better response is not name calling but as Joe Hill said - Organize.
