Nightline
Outgunned
Aug. 18, 2005
Sometimes it's necessary to pull the curtain back to
fully appreciate how Washington works. When Congress
was rushing to leave town in July for its summer
recess and many eyes were elsewhere, the Senate passed
a major bill sponsored by the National Rifle
Association that gives gun manufacturers and dealers
sweeping protection against lawsuits resulting from
the illegal use of firearms. In other words, it bars
all civil liability actions related to the misuse of
firearms by a third party, meaning criminals. Most
victims of gun crimes and their families won't be able
to seek recourse in court. The legislation wouldn't
have passed last year. But, oh, what a difference a
year can make. And therein lies the tale.
In one sense, 9/11 was a catalyst for the NRA's recent
surge in membership and clout. The attacks in New
York and at the Pentagon didn't convince people to buy
guns to protect themselves from terrorists, but it did
plant the notion that guns might help protect them
from civil disorder and looting that could follow a
terrorist attack. Many who didn't own a gun bought one
for the first time. In fact, the NRA membership has
doubled since the 1990s. And with that growth has
come increasing clout, so much that the NRA helped
defeat Sen. John Kerry in his bid for the presidency,
former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle for
re-election and helped convince the Senate to pass the
legislation to protect gunmakers and dealers it
refused to do in the past.
To underscore the NRA's clout, this bill also does
something somewhat rare -- it applies to pending
lawsuits. And the NRA did all this with the backing
of Democrats who haven't always been supporrtive. Why?
Democratic senators from states where the NRA is
strong can't afford to cross the gun lobby. The ghost
of Tom Daschle is a powerful reminder that one takes
on the NRA at his own peril. And supporters of gun
control are too outspent and outmaneuvered these days
to compete.
Tonight, Correspondent John Cochran takes us inside
the one of the most effective lobbies in Washington,
the NRA.
Outgunned
Aug. 18, 2005
Sometimes it's necessary to pull the curtain back to
fully appreciate how Washington works. When Congress
was rushing to leave town in July for its summer
recess and many eyes were elsewhere, the Senate passed
a major bill sponsored by the National Rifle
Association that gives gun manufacturers and dealers
sweeping protection against lawsuits resulting from
the illegal use of firearms. In other words, it bars
all civil liability actions related to the misuse of
firearms by a third party, meaning criminals. Most
victims of gun crimes and their families won't be able
to seek recourse in court. The legislation wouldn't
have passed last year. But, oh, what a difference a
year can make. And therein lies the tale.
In one sense, 9/11 was a catalyst for the NRA's recent
surge in membership and clout. The attacks in New
York and at the Pentagon didn't convince people to buy
guns to protect themselves from terrorists, but it did
plant the notion that guns might help protect them
from civil disorder and looting that could follow a
terrorist attack. Many who didn't own a gun bought one
for the first time. In fact, the NRA membership has
doubled since the 1990s. And with that growth has
come increasing clout, so much that the NRA helped
defeat Sen. John Kerry in his bid for the presidency,
former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle for
re-election and helped convince the Senate to pass the
legislation to protect gunmakers and dealers it
refused to do in the past.
To underscore the NRA's clout, this bill also does
something somewhat rare -- it applies to pending
lawsuits. And the NRA did all this with the backing
of Democrats who haven't always been supporrtive. Why?
Democratic senators from states where the NRA is
strong can't afford to cross the gun lobby. The ghost
of Tom Daschle is a powerful reminder that one takes
on the NRA at his own peril. And supporters of gun
control are too outspent and outmaneuvered these days
to compete.
Tonight, Correspondent John Cochran takes us inside
the one of the most effective lobbies in Washington,
the NRA.
Pure (well-done) propoganda, in my view.