The LA Times doesn't understand Senator Burrs either

Submitted by James on Fri, 12/04/2009 - 9:20am

Story here. Reasonable people agree that precautions should be taken to keep psychologically impaired individuals from buying guns. In the enduring debate over gun regulation, this has been one area of consensus. That's why it is difficult to fathom legislation proposed by Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) that would make it more difficult to keep guns out of the hands of veterans who have been deemed mentally incompetent by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Share on Facebook

From the story

Submitted by James on Fri, 12/04/2009 - 9:48am.

About 100,000 veterans are currently deemed unfit to have access to guns, and under Burr's bill, they would automatically be removed from the background check system until judicial review. Treating these veterans fairly is important, but making it easier for them to get firearms should be low on everyone's list of priorities.

Nice to see what Burr's priorities really are.

Do good. Be nice. Have fun.

Gun Nuttiness

Submitted by DanR on Fri, 12/04/2009 - 10:31am.

There are many truly nutty proposals regarding guns and some of them have become law. The new Arizona law that enables citizens to carry their guns into bars and other establishments that serve alcohol comes to mind. Mixing alcohol and guns? What could possibly go wrong?

As wrong headed as Burr's proposal so obviously is, I don't think it is motivated by simple stupidity. It is all about stirring up those among his base who are paranoid about someone taking their guns away. It doesn't matter that the proposal is irrational. He could have proposed requiring day care providers or elementary school children to carry firearms. The paranoids would hail him as a champion of gun rights and those opposed as gun grabbers. It is purely a political move to fire up his base leading up to what should be a tough re-election fight. It has nothing to do with sound public policy. Clearly it is insane as public policy.

Agreed

Submitted by James on Fri, 12/04/2009 - 10:33am.

He can't possibly be as stupid as he appears. Every move he makes is carefully calculated to support his reelection bid, which is the only thing that seems to matter to him.

Do good. Be nice. Have fun.

He is smart enough to know:

Submitted by Foxtrot (not verified) on Fri, 12/04/2009 - 11:08am.

Burr (or his handlers) is smart enough to know that a part of his base will agree with his stance on this issue. I doubt he will make it a major campaign rather use it where needed to show his "gun rights" support.

Conversely, used in the wrong venues, democratic candidates presenting anything that can be seen as "anti-gun rights" (even in such a screwy incident as this) can have very negative effects.

I read the story and anyone that reads it can see just how idiotic Burr is being and can see that the VA/professionals are taking every precaution not to violate people's gun rights that are legitimately capable of owning a weapon.

But, you know how things are taken out of context and how "snipets" are used.