Tomi Ledford:
Everybody Has a Right to Life
I do know what it's like to be vulnerable. I know what it's like to feel like you can't protect your children or yourself. And it's terrifying when you have a spouse, whether it be husband or wife, that's serving overseas thousands of miles away, and you’re the only one there to stand up for yourself, to stand up for your home, for your little kid that’s right there next to you.I support the Second Amendment because of that. I support the NRA because they support my right to protect my kids. Everybody has a right to life. And you have the right to protect that. And nobody has a right to take it away from you.
JOIN PRO GUN LAWMAKERS
SEEKING ANSWERS & ACCOUNTABILITY
FROM ANTI-GUN BANKS
BY NRAHQ
SEE: https://www.ammoland.com/2018/04/join-pro-gun-lawmakers-seeking-answers-and-accountability-from-anti-gun-banks/#axzz5EFfCNxWG; republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:
Fairfax, VA – -(Ammoland.com)- We recently reported on the disturbing trend of large U.S. banks – most notably Bank of America (BofA) and Citigroup – using their enormous market power to discriminate against customers based on lawful firearm-related business activities.
These decisions were unabashedly prompted and lauded by anti-gun activists as political statements and social engineering, not as business decisions based on any alleged financial unsoundness or criminal activity of the affected customers. This feigned high-mindedness is particularly galling to gun-owning Americans whose billions of tax dollars helped bail out these financial behemoths after the banks’ reckless business practices brought their companies and the U.S. economy to the brink of disaster. Now, pro-gun members of Congress are demanding answers and accountability. You can do your part, too, by lodging your own complaints against the banks with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) led the way with a March 29, 2018 letter to Citigroup CEO Michael Corbat. Kennedy expressed “significant concerns” about the bank’s new policies and asked to be provided with “the specific number of entities in Louisiana which stand to lose banking services as a result of [Citigroup’s] increased scrutiny on law-abiding businesses.” He pointedly reminded the bank, “It feels like yesterday when Citi received nearly half a trillion dollars in taxpayer-backed guarantees and cash after putting the entire financial system at risk,” a move Kennedy called, “the largest government bailout in American history.” Kennedy encouraged Citigroup to be a good corporate citizen by refocusing on business decisions, including “addressing apparent shortcomings like overcharging credit card interest rates to account holders and compliance with U.S. anti-money laundering laws.”
Also joining the effort were 16 Congressmen led by Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN), who on April 11 wrote to Emily W. Murphy, head of the General Services Administration, asking her to reconsider a $700+ billion contract with Citigroup to help implement the federal charge card system, SmartPay 3. The letter noted that the bank’s new firearm policies “run counter to laws and regulations passed by Congress, and they infringe and discriminate against an individual’s Second Amendment rights.” Such policies, the signatories opined, “should not be endorsed by our federal government,” which instead should “do business with companies that respect all of our constitutional rights, including the Second Amendment.” The letter urged the GSA to “take all necessary steps to review and terminate its contract with Citibank unless they rescind their guidelines … .”
The most recent action came from Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. On April 25, Crapo sent letters to the CEOs of both BofA and Citigroup demanding answers about their recent anti-gun activity. “It is deeply concerning to me,” he wrote, “when large national banks … which receive significant forms of government support and benefits, use their market power to manage social policy by withholding access to credit to customers and companies they disfavor.”
Crapo also raised the issue of the banks’ collection of personally identifiable information (PII) and how it might be used “to monitor and deny financial services to individuals and companies who are engaging in completely legal and, in this case, Constitutionally-protected activity.” He additionally sought further information about the banks’ restrictive firearm policies and any other legal transactions, industries, and businesses they disfavor, prohibit, or boycott. “We should all be concerned if banks … seek to replace legislators and policymakers and attempt to manage social policy by limiting access to credit,” he concluded.
One way banking consumers concerned about BofA’s and Citigroup’s antigun discrimination can make their views known is to submit a complaint directly to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB is an entity of the U.S. Government charged with “mak[ing] consumer financial markets work for consumers, responsible providers, and the economy as a whole.” Its mandates include “[r]ooting out unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices,” taking “consumer complaints,” and “[m]onitoring financial markets for new risks to consumers.”
Particularly useful would be complaints by any business or individual who was directly affected by the BofA’s or Citigroup’s new policies.
But every American adult likely uses or will need banking services to survive in the modern economy. Law-abiding gun owners have legitimate concerns about possible collusion and collective efforts between banks and/or banks and advocacy groups aimed at denying them services simply for exercising their rights under the U.S. Constitution and laws. These efforts also can create a hostile and chilling climate for the exercise of Second Amendment rights, particularly for those hoping to obtain financing for such things as home and auto purchases or running a small business. Once financial institutions take it upon themselves to set social policy that exceeds the requirements of the law, it’s impossible to know where they will stop or what other indicators of disfavored activity might become relevant to them. No American should be treated as a scapegoat for someone else’s crimes.
Complaints may be submitted directly through the CFPB’s website and will be forwarded to the banks themselves. Information on complaints may also be made publicly available so other consumers can evaluate for themselves whether the banks’ are behaving improperly and possibly share their own relevant experiences.
The NRA thanks Sens. Kennedy and Crapo and Rep. Rokita for their leadership in fighting discrimination against law-abiding gun owners.
About:
Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org
Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org
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NRA Endorses 2nd Amendment Lawsuit Filed by Ammunition Depot and CRPA
BY LAURA BURGESS
SEE: https://www.ammoland.com/2018/04/nra-endorses-2nd-amendment-lawsuit-filed-by-ammunition-depot-and-crpa/#axzz5EFPjEWx5; republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:
Ammunition Depot stands up for America’s Second Amendment Rights and access to ammunition.
Boca Raton, Fla. (Ammoland.com) – Ammunition Depot has joined the California Rifle & Pistol Association with support of the National Rifle Association (NRA) in filing a lawsuit challenging California’s restriction regarding the sale or transfer of ammunition. The lawsuit, titled Rhode et al v. Becerra, challenges California’s new ammunition sales restrictions as a violation of the Second Amendment and Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution.
The restrictions California is imposing on their residents include not being permitted to order ammunition online and have it delivered to their place of residence or business. Proposition 63 mandates ammunition retailers to check with the Department of Justice to determine if a buyer is authorized to purchase. Individuals and businesses must obtain a 1-year license for the California Department of Justice to sell ammunition. Individuals must have any ammunition purchased online delivered to a firearms retailer in order to take possession of it. If ammunition is shipped from out of state, the California resident may be required to pay a transfer fee and, starting in 2019, will need to submit to a background check. There is a penalty for failure to follow the retailer licensing requirements
“These restrictions on the sale and transfer of ammunition in the state of California are a direct impingement on the rights and liberties of the residents of that state, and we at Ammunition Depot are committed to standing up for our customers and our Second Amendment rights,” Scott Blick, managing partner of Ammunition Depot said. “Shopping online offers our customers convenience, selection, great pricing and our uncompromising service, which we feel is the right of all citizens of the United States, including Californians.”
The Rhode et al v. Becerra suit will be the fourth lawsuit filed by CRPA attorneys with support from the NRA challenging the provisions of Proposition 63 and other “Gunmageddon” bills on the docket. Duncan v. Becerra has already succeeded in obtaining an injunction against Proposition 63’s ban on the possession of magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. Two other lawsuits, Rupp v. Becerra and Villanueva v. Becerra are challenging California’s “assault weapon” restrictions and registration requirements and are also seeing injunctions.
Ammunition Depot asks customers and anyone concerned about our Second Amendment Rights to stay informed and subscribe to the NRA and CRPA email alerts and visit the NRA-ILA California dedicated webpage at www.StandAndFightCalifornia.com and the CRPA website at www.CRPA.org.
For additional information on the complaint filed, click here.
For more information go to https://www.crpa.org/programs/volunteers-grassroots/ or send an email to volunteer@crpa.org.
About Ammunition Depot:
Ammunition Depot was founded by freedom-loving Americans committed to American’s right and responsibility to defend themselves, their families and their country. Ammunition Depot’s goal and promise is to provide to the American public high-quality ammunition at the lowest possible price with the best customer service they have ever experienced, period.
As Ammunition Depot has grown over the years, we have been able to create numerous jobs for hard-working Americans in our home state of Florida, as well as help many charities and foundations that support our troops, law enforcement, and the shooting sports. Our plan is to keep growing, keep creating jobs, keep giving, and keep Ammunition Depot strong so that we can deliver the same great products and same great service for decades to come. www.ammunitiondepot.com
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More in the Firearms Industry Should Follow Hornady’s New York Example
BY DAVID CODREA
SEE: https://www.ammoland.com/2018/04/more-in-firearms-industry-should-follow-hornadys-new-york-example/#axzz5EFPJuiCv; republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:
USA – -(Ammoland.com)- “Today, the State of New York did one of the most despicable acts ever perpetrated by any state by asking New York banks, financial institutions and insurance companies to stop doing business with the gun and ammo industry,” an April 23 press release by Steve Hornady, president of Hornady Manufacturing Company announced.
“While it may not make a difference to New York, Hornady will not knowingly allow our ammunition to be sold to the State of NY or any NY agencies,” Hornady pledged. “Their actions are a blatant and disgusting abuse of office and we won’t be associated with a government that acts like that. They should be ashamed.”
That is exactly the correct way to respond, and gun owners who agree should show it by making Hornady a preferred brand. It’s the best way to demonstrate that such leadership in appreciated form those who show it, and expected from those who do not.
It’s reminiscent of a 2002 letter Ronnie Barrett, President of Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, sent to then-Chief William J. Bratton of the Los Angeles Police Department, about his company’s .50 caliber rifles.
“Your officer, speaking for the LAPD, endorsed the banning of this rifle and its ammunition,” Barret wrote, recounting how LAPD acted as stooges for a Violence Policy Center disinformation and smear campaign for the Los Angeles City Council.“When I returned to my office from Los Angeles, I found an example of our need for mutual cooperation.” Barrett went on to explain. “Your department had sent one of your 82A1 rifles in to us for service.“Please excuse my slow response on the repair service of the rifle,” he continued. “I will not sell, nor service, my rifles to those seeking to infringe upon the Constitution and the crystal clear rights it affords individuals to own firearms.”
It was not the only time Barrett has taken such a stance.
“Barrett cannot legally sell any of its products to lawbreakers,” he wrote in 2005. “Therefore, since California's passing of AB50, the state is not in compliance with the US Constitution's 2nd and 14th Amendments, and we will not sell nor service any of our products to any government agency of the State of California.”“If Hawaii or any state bans the sale of the .50-caliber rifle, we will immediately stop the sale and service of all Barrett products to that state’s government agencies,” Barrett wrote to Honolulu Police Department Chief Boisse Correa in 2008. “We will also welcome all small arms manufacturers to take the same action.”
And in 2013, Barrett declared the State of New York as well as individual elected officials supportive of bans ineligible for sales and service.
These are precisely the measures gun owner rights advocates should expect from manufacturers. If a state or city discriminates against the right of citizens to keep and bear arms, those we patronize should not be giving aid and comfort to the enemy – and how else would you characterize an oath-breaking totalitarian wannabe trying to establish and enforce a monopoly of violence?
We see continuous new efforts to squeeze gun companies and gun owners out of the marketplace, with bank discrimination, insurance denials, boycotts and the like. Yet there are millions of gun owners who consider themselves Second Amendment advocates, and it’s past time they put their economic clout to effective use.
This is something national and state gun groups could take the lead on, at least the ones not afraid to rock the boat. And it’s past time gun manufacturers stopped acting like neutral parties, willing to reap the benefits of RKBA activism as long as they don’t have to take a stand.
What are the prominent anti-gun state and municipal agencies? Who supplies them with their firepower? In many cases it’s easy enough to find out.
It’s not inappropriate to publicly ask those companies where they stand, and to favor, publicize and patronize those that stand with American gun owners.
About David Codrea:
David Codrea is the winner of multiple journalist awards for investigating / defending the RKBA and a long-time gun owner rights advocate who defiantly challenges the folly of citizen disarmament.
In addition to being a field editor/columnist at GUNS Magazine and associate editor for Oath Keepers, he blogs at “The War on Guns: Notes from the Resistance,” and posts on Twitter: @dcodrea and Facebook.
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SEE ALSO:
https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/constitution/item/28939-banks-credit-card-companies-attack-second-amendment
SEE ALSO:
https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/constitution/item/28939-banks-credit-card-companies-attack-second-amendment
