The gun lobby—typically opposed to any attempt to tighten federal gun controls—doesn't disagree. The National Rifle Association has decided to make no public comment about any aspect of the Virginia Tech tragedy, according to a spokesman. But a source close to the gun lobby (who asked not to be identified because of the organization’s sensitivities about making any political points related to the tragedy), pointed out that pro-gun lobbyists and groups like the NRA have long supported adding all relevant mental-health records to background check databases. "We have no problem as long as one is adjudicated mentally incompetent [in denying gun purchases] and we have no problem with mental health records being part of the NICS," the source said. "The problem is not with the gun community. The problem is with the medical community" that has traditionally opposed making such records available on privacy grounds.That's it?
Four days after the fact--when the whole country is furiously debating the impact of the Virginia tech shootings on the Second Amendment--there's still no leadership from our self-proclaimed leaders? All we get are plausibly deniable signals sent through seconds that they'd endorse an expansion of NICS if only there were some way to work around privacy protections?
I'll repeat myself: anyone who can't be trusted with a gun can't be trusted without a custodian. But absent due process, you cannot deprive a citizen of his rights. That's one of the prices of a free and open society.
I expect the recognized leaders in promoting the Second Amendment to promote the Second Amendment. I expect them to lead us in demanding an end to victim disarmament zones. Are they so cynical to believe that fighting unbendingly for the truth and for liberty is indefensible? Are they really so afraid of the Bradys--who are currently out grubbing for massacre money--accusing them of "making political points"? Does anyone at Fairfax really believe that saying nothing will accomplish anything?
[Via Ryan H]