MaggieMae
Reality bits
- Apr 3, 2009
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The one right terrorists can count on
Under current law, people on the FBIs terrorist watch list can walk into a gun store and buy an AK-47, said Gail Collins in The New York Times.
posted on May 13, 2010, at 1:45 PM
Gail Collins
The New York Times
Should an Islamic extremist be allowed to buy weapons? asked Gail Collins. It may sound like a ridiculous question, but under current law, people on the FBIs terrorist watch list can indeed walk into a gun store and buy an AK-47. Last week, a Senate committee held a hearing on a proposal to stop gun sales to people on the watch list, the same way the government now bans the sale of guns to convicted felons. But Republicans in thrall to the National Rifle Associations reflexive opposition to any limits on gun sales immediately rejected the proposal, arguing that even suspected terrorists should enjoy their God-given right to own firearms.
Over the past six years, 1,119 people on the watch list have bought weapons, and some of them were very bad characters. Yet the same Republicans who insist that its wrong to give a Miranda warning to a suspected terrorist, or let him talk to a lawyer, think it would be oppressive to stop him from stocking up on weapons. Indeed, there seems to be a strong sentiment in Congress that the only constitutional right suspected terrorists have is the right to bear arms.
The one right terrorists can count on - The Week
Unfuckingincredible...
Under current law, people on the FBIs terrorist watch list can walk into a gun store and buy an AK-47, said Gail Collins in The New York Times.
posted on May 13, 2010, at 1:45 PM
Gail Collins
The New York Times
Should an Islamic extremist be allowed to buy weapons? asked Gail Collins. It may sound like a ridiculous question, but under current law, people on the FBIs terrorist watch list can indeed walk into a gun store and buy an AK-47. Last week, a Senate committee held a hearing on a proposal to stop gun sales to people on the watch list, the same way the government now bans the sale of guns to convicted felons. But Republicans in thrall to the National Rifle Associations reflexive opposition to any limits on gun sales immediately rejected the proposal, arguing that even suspected terrorists should enjoy their God-given right to own firearms.
Over the past six years, 1,119 people on the watch list have bought weapons, and some of them were very bad characters. Yet the same Republicans who insist that its wrong to give a Miranda warning to a suspected terrorist, or let him talk to a lawyer, think it would be oppressive to stop him from stocking up on weapons. Indeed, there seems to be a strong sentiment in Congress that the only constitutional right suspected terrorists have is the right to bear arms.
The one right terrorists can count on - The Week
Unfuckingincredible...