“I cannot continue to be a member while the NRA refuses to back these loopholes.” Lifetime NRA Member and Lawmaker John Oceguera, in a letter to Wayne LaPierre.
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Wayne LaPierre, CEO and Executive Vice President
National Rifle Association
410 First St SE #2
Washington, DC 20003
December 3, 2015
Dear Mr. LaPierre,
I am law-abiding gun owner, and have been a Life Member of the National Rifle Association (NRA). I grew up in a family of hunters. But more importantly, I’m a father and a husband. I believe that keeping our families safe is our most fundamental priority.
America has experienced more than 350 mass shootings just this year. On Wednesday, the latest mass shooting took the lives of 14 innocent people in San Bernardino, California. Our country is facing a tragic gun violence epidemic, and we cannot ignore it. Still, the NRA opposes any legislation that would help keep guns out of the hands of terrorists, criminals and the mentally ill, and spends millions to stop any action in Congress that could help prevent further violence.
I cannot continue to be a member while the NRA refuses to back closing these loopholes. Therefore, I resign my membership in the NRA, effective immediately. Please remove my name from your membership list.
Sincerely,
John Oceguera
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Originally published on johnoceguera.com. Republished with permission.
Photo: AP / Julie Jacobson
Over the many years the NRA has changed and evolved. Like any organization it’s views are shaped by vocal ranks of it’s membership. Many fail to understand that the NRA was founded on an equal emphasis on responsible gun ownership and protection of the 2nd amendment.
I’m sorry to see Mr. Oceguera cut and run. As an elected public official he was in a unique position to change the course of dialog within the NRA towards one of common sense.
why doesn’t the nra come up with regulations that help instead of pontificating about gun rights. a person can buy and wear a gun in colorado without regulation unless you choose canceled carry…..let the nra heal their collective cranial rectal inversion and actually help
Based on the facts that have been published by the FBI and tracked over the last 20-30 years, the most sensible gun law changes would be to encourage private ownership of firearms. But that doesn’t fit the common mindset and also doesn’t have to happen. Stop the lies of the left and start paying attention to the fact that gun crimes, in fact all crime continues to go down as more people arm themselves.
OK, I’ve read this 3 times and I can’t figure out what you’re saying. Are you saying that you can openly carry a gun (not concealed) without regulations but you have regulations if you have a concealed gun? Perhaps you can clarify?
Which loopholes do you want removed?BTW, more Americans own guns then ever before yet gun violence is down since its peak in 1993
Many of those “loopholes” were the result of the political compromises necessary to get some of our current gun laws enacted in the first place. If you’re asking for more ‘compromise’ on the issue of gun control now, what assurances can you give me that today’s compromises won’t be condemned in the future as ‘loopholes’ which need to be closed ? Are YOU ready to make compromises, or are you just making demands on people you disagree with?