NRA, Brady Campaign face off at debate
Sarah Scott, Chief Copy Editor, sescott@smu.edu
Issue date: 4/4/07 Section: News
The Political Science Symposium hosted its annual debate Tuesday night in the Hughes-Trigg Theater. Glen Caroline, director of the Grassroots Division of the National Rifle Association, and Peter Hamm, communications director of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, faced off in a discussion about gun control in America.
Each representative was given 15 minutes to present arguments to the audience. After that, they got five minutes to rebut the other's argument, followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.
Thanks to a winning coin toss, Caroline gave the first volley.
He started his argument by saying that he and Hamm wanted the same thing: "to reduce criminal access to guns and firearm-related accidents."
The source of the debate, he said, was how to go about doing so.
Describing the NRA as the "original civil rights group," Caroline emphasized the need to enforce gun laws already on the books, not add to them. He said there were more than 20,000 gun control laws at federal, state and local levels.
Plus, he said, laws don't stop criminals "hell-bent" on committing crimes. "Law-abiding citizens with lawful purposes" shouldn't have their right to bear arms impinged upon, he added.
But Hamm took issue with Caroline's assertion that the right of individuals to bear arms was "beyond debate."
"For 70 years it's been argued," said Hamm. "The courts have only upheld that there's a right to a well-regulated militia."
Hamm said that "the current distribution system of firearm manufacturers" directly contributes to violence and illegal gun activity. Background checks are easily avoided, and bulk gun purchases are still legal. He said that common-sense laws were needed.
"The male hormones in me call out to have a grenade launcher on my gun, but it's not necessary," he said.
The Castle Doctrine, which was signed into law in Texas last Tuesday, was a hot topic at the debate. The bill states that a person doesn't have a duty to retreat from an attack before using deadly force. Under the new law, people won't be held criminally or civilly responsible for harm to the person they perceive as a threat or bystanders who may get hit by stray bullets.
Each representative was given 15 minutes to present arguments to the audience. After that, they got five minutes to rebut the other's argument, followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.
Thanks to a winning coin toss, Caroline gave the first volley.
He started his argument by saying that he and Hamm wanted the same thing: "to reduce criminal access to guns and firearm-related accidents."
The source of the debate, he said, was how to go about doing so.
Describing the NRA as the "original civil rights group," Caroline emphasized the need to enforce gun laws already on the books, not add to them. He said there were more than 20,000 gun control laws at federal, state and local levels.
Plus, he said, laws don't stop criminals "hell-bent" on committing crimes. "Law-abiding citizens with lawful purposes" shouldn't have their right to bear arms impinged upon, he added.
But Hamm took issue with Caroline's assertion that the right of individuals to bear arms was "beyond debate."
"For 70 years it's been argued," said Hamm. "The courts have only upheld that there's a right to a well-regulated militia."
Hamm said that "the current distribution system of firearm manufacturers" directly contributes to violence and illegal gun activity. Background checks are easily avoided, and bulk gun purchases are still legal. He said that common-sense laws were needed.
"The male hormones in me call out to have a grenade launcher on my gun, but it's not necessary," he said.
The Castle Doctrine, which was signed into law in Texas last Tuesday, was a hot topic at the debate. The bill states that a person doesn't have a duty to retreat from an attack before using deadly force. Under the new law, people won't be held criminally or civilly responsible for harm to the person they perceive as a threat or bystanders who may get hit by stray bullets.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 29
Larry
posted 4/04/07 @ 8:40 AM CST
The castle Doctrine has been passed in many states and more people carry concealed now than ever in history. yet we do no see wild west shootings. The people of this country can be trusted to do the right thing, and they have proven it as these laws have been passed. (Continued…)
Ken Martin
posted 4/04/07 @ 9:00 AM CST
There should be no gun control DEBATE! The gun control debate was setteled December 15,1791 when the Bill of Rights was ratified by three-fourths of the States. (Continued…)
Tommy
posted 4/04/07 @ 9:34 AM CST
It's GREAT to see the NRA getting the message out ! This is the United States of America HOME of the FREE and land of the BRAVE ! YOU have the RIGHT to BEAR ARMS and you ARE RESPONSIBLE for your actions while exercising your RIGHT. (Continued…)
Stu Strickler
posted 4/04/07 @ 10:26 AM CST
Every law abiding citizen in this country has the right to own and carry a firearm for personal protection. Fourty eight states have concealed carry laws. (Continued…)
george bennett
posted 4/04/07 @ 11:16 AM CST
thats it? not much of a story,no follow-up?no questions from anyone?
Joe
posted 4/04/07 @ 11:40 AM CST
Why are they afraid of the population at large having guns? Are we not trusted?
The elitist attitude of Hamm and other of his ilk make me sick.
I could go on and on but what is the point. (Continued…)
bill ferguson
posted 4/04/07 @ 2:26 PM CST
I believe those who favor all things gun control have good intentions, yet they also have severe misconceptions of human nature. Upon buying my first handgun years ago, my brother in law questioned having a weapon in the home, stating, "If a burglar entered our home, I would take the family outside. (Continued…)
Dennis
posted 4/04/07 @ 6:16 PM CST
I am tired of all this talk about the 2nd Amendment being about militia! How about these people take a look at some of the individual state's constitutions, like in Pennsylvania that specifically states. (Continued…)
Brian Zell
posted 4/04/07 @ 6:25 PM CST
I hope Brady and his scared and confused followers visit my state, Wyoming, and see how peaceful things are here. It's hard for me to believe, but some people, like Californians especially, have never heard of Wyoming, For those of you who have never heard of us, we're the rectangular state above Colorado and below Montana. (Continued…)
John
posted 4/04/07 @ 6:26 PM CST
If the Brady group doesn't trust people to own/carry guns, then why trust the police? They have more training, they are more exposed like my oldest son was as a cop in uniform. (Continued…)
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