| Dear Readers, | | | | actions? Or, do we view these recent and |
| | | | tragic events for what they truly are? |
| June 20th, 2007 | | | | Examples and reasons that strengthen the |
| | | | position of The American Gun Association and |
| In light of the recent events surrounding the | | | | its members. The Right to Bear Arms is an |
| incident at Virginia Tech the American Gun | | | | essential and fundamental right of every "law |
| Association is diligently preparing to | | | | abiding" American. The issues regarding |
| address the coming storm of issues that will, | | | | circumstances that allow certain |
| no doubt be raised anew concerning Americans | | | | irresponsible individuals to obtain weapons |
| Constitutional right to bear arms. The | | | | are another issue all together. These are |
| American Gun Association remains stead fast | | | | issues that are better left to psychiatrists, |
| in our commitment to rally all Americans in | | | | law enforcement officials, judges, and other |
| defense of their right to bear arms. And to | | | | experts in fields such as psychiatric |
| this end we are redoubling our efforts to | | | | evaluation. This is not an issue that |
| recruit more members to rally against those | | | | involves the Second Amendment Right at all. |
| who seek to infringe against our rights as | | | | On the contrary, the Second Amendment of the |
| Americans by using the isolated, obscure, and | | | | Constitution was set in place to protect us |
| criminal actions of unstable and deranged | | | | against just such individuals. The American |
| individuals as ammunition for their sorted | | | | Gun Association is unequivocally in support |
| causes. | | | | of those individuals and/or organizations |
| | | | that seek to enact legal devices to prevent |
| While the American Gun Association sends its | | | | certain unstable, questionable, or criminal |
| sincere condolences to the families and | | | | individuals from obtaining guns legally. We |
| friends of the Virginia Tech tragedy we | | | | salute these individuals and organizations |
| refuse to sit idly by as proponents use this | | | | for their works and applaud their efforts. |
| incident and incidents like it to spearhead | | | | The American Gun Association does however, |
| bogus and rhetorical fallacies in regard to | | | | stringently oppose those individuals or |
| our Constitutional Right to bear arms. In my | | | | organization who attempt to restrict, |
| opinion the recent events in Virginia and | | | | prohibit, or otherwise initiate, propositions |
| California only solidify the position of The | | | | that seek to tie unrelated issues to the |
| American Gun Association. In that, we | | | | Second Amendment. Including attempts to |
| realize that there are individuals in America | | | | influence or undermine the Second Amendment |
| that should not have access to guns or | | | | by using issues and arguments that are |
| weapons of any sort. This organization | | | | unrelated to the meaning of the Amendment |
| realizes that there are people in our society | | | | itself. |
| that use their Constitutional Rights to do | | | | |
| harm. This is nothing new and has always | | | | Though the American Gun Association |
| been a part of the fabric that binds us all | | | | understands the dichotomy presented by |
| together as a society. It is, as unfortunate | | | | violence and civil rights in relation to the |
| as it sounds, a fact that with all the good | | | | Second Amendment. We understand that the |
| that comes from being a free society there | | | | concept of violence and guns is an |
| has always been, continues to be, and will | | | | unfortunate part of American Society. These |
| always exist, that portion of our society | | | | individuals who "freely choose" to perpetrate |
| from which we must accept the bad. However, | | | | criminal acts upon our "free social |
| those very same principles and rights that | | | | structures, individuals, and institutions" |
| allow those who would commit the actions that | | | | should be dealt with in the appropriate and |
| expose the bad elements in our society are | | | | correct medical or legal forums. And not be |
| the very same principles and rights that | | | | incorrectly linked to the legal rights of law |
| allow law abiding Americans to peruse | | | | abiding citizens in relation to right |
| happiness and remain secure in their own | | | | afforded and guaranteed to them by the Second |
| person. Part of this security includes being | | | | Amendment of the Constitution of the United |
| able to defend yourself in the face of | | | | States of America. |
| imminent and/or unforeseen dangers. No | | | | |
| matter what that danger is. This is both | | | | The American Gun Association needs your |
| directly and indirectly the principle | | | | donations now more than ever. Please give |
| foundation upon which the Founding Fathers of | | | | generously for the protection of your Second |
| this great nation constructed the institution | | | | Amendment rights. Without your donations we |
| of the Second Amendment. The American Gun | | | | cannot continue to insure that your rights |
| Association asks the question: would one | | | | are protected. We all have to stand behind |
| legally obtained, licensed, and registered | | | | the principles of the belief for our right to |
| handgun in the possession of a responsible, | | | | bear arms. Your generous contributions are |
| law abiding student have prevented the | | | | greatly appreciated. |
| tragedy at Virginia Tech? | | | | |
| | | | Again the American Gun Association sends its |
| Do we allow the few to govern the many | | | | sincerest condolences to all those affected |
| through their individual and irresponsible | | | | by the recent tragedies. |