Just in the past two weeks or so, numerous politicians, journalists and private citizens have used the word “terrorist” in describing the NRA. Here is a sampling.
http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/377120-conn-governor-nra-is-a-terrorist-organization
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pacs-billboard-in-florida-calls-nra-a-terrorist-organization/
https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/declare-the-nra-a-terrorist
https://www.dailywire.com/news/27949/nra-spokeswoman-dana-loesch-attacked-rosie-amanda-prestigiacomo
This level of hatred and vitriol is truly appalling – especially coming from the supposed champions of “tolerance”. Can you imagine the anti-gun left painting ANY other group with the broad brush of hate that they have the NRA?
LGBTQ? Nope
Blue-collar workers? Nope
Medical professionals? Nope
Lawyers? Nope
Minimum wage workers? Nope
Teachers? Nope
College Professors? Nope
Mothers? Nope
Fathers? Nope
Naturalized Immigrants? Nope
Hispanics? Nope
African-Americans? Nope
Muslims? Nope
Hindus? Nope
Sikhs? Nope
Jews? Nope
Catholics? Nope
Protestants of every stripe? Nope
Wiccans? Nope
Atheist/Agnostics? Nope
Ministers? Nope
Women? Nope
Active and Former military? Nope
Law Enforcement? Nope (though maybe close)
Lawmakers? Nope (though conservatives, maybe)
The real irony here lies in the fact that every one of these groups is represented in the NRA membership. These are the people who some anti-gunners are calling “terrorists” – and apparently don’t see any conflict or hypocrisy in it.
The NRA could be considered one of the most inclusive organizations in existence. The only “requirement” for membership is having an interest in firearms rights and safety, and paying a $40 per year membership fee.
In fact, one could start a joke of some sort with the lead-in of, “An African-American doctor, a trans-woman, and a retired college professor walk onto a gun range.” But it wouldn’t work as a joke because they all had fun together at a shooting match and nothing of note would have happened.
Denigrating and de-humanizing some five million American citizens who happen to be NRA members, (and by implication tens of millions of other lawful gun owners) simply because they don’t see eye-to-eye with you on an important point of law and natural rights, is bigoted and prejudiced in the extreme. Anyone who isn’t appalled by this accusation of terrorism ought to examine their conscience and values MUCH more closely.
“Tolerance” means nothing if it only applies to those with whom you agree.
Note: This video was making the rounds as I was composing this missive.
https://mobile.twitter.com/NRA/status/972616295710683136
