AARP AND THE SECOND AMENDMENT - Printable Version +- Fishing Forum (https://bigfishtackle.com/forum) +-- Forum: General Discussion (https://bigfishtackle.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=334) +--- Forum: Hunting (https://bigfishtackle.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=71) +--- Thread: AARP AND THE SECOND AMENDMENT (/showthread.php?tid=19277) |
AARP AND THE SECOND AMENDMENT - twoindyhicks - 10-30-2002 On Tue, 24 Sep 2002 15:20:23 -0400 you wrote: > I recently received an invitation to join aarp and participate in the savings >that would therefor ensue but before I do this I would like to know where you >stand on handguns, rifles, etc. As I have been reading alot of stories as to >how the total confiscation of firearms has endangered the citizens of both >England and Australia to the point that according to law enforcement statistics >they are the number one and two countries in violent crime. Thank You Date: Fri, 25 Oct 02 13:23:36 -0500 From: [url "mailto:member@aarp.org"][#0000ff]member@aarp.org[/#0000ff][/url] [add to address book] [add to protection list] Subject: Re: (No Subject) Thank you for contacting AARP. We appreciate hearing from you and apologize for the delay in response. The AARP policymaking process is a long one, beginning in September and continuing through February annually. AARP's National Legislative Council thoughtfully develops each policy after reviewing the pros and cons and makes recommendations to the Board. Public policies are reconsidered and voted anew each year. Input from members like you, along with other members' suggestions, are carefully reviewed and contribute to establishing AARP priorities. At this time, our policymaking process results indicate that a large majority of our members support careful handgun control measures. Therefore, AARP continues to support measures to control the availability of handguns. Some of the rationale includes the following facts: Handguns continue to present a serious threat to citizens of all ages. Handguns are a leading cause of accidental injury and death, especially for children. Handguns are frequently used to commit violent crimes. U.S. Census Bureau figures show year after year that handguns are responsible for two out of three of murders. In 1999 (the latest figures available), 28,874 deaths were due to firearm injuries. At a time when having enough resources to provide adequate healthcare for older Americans is a special concern, the medical costs of treating gunshot victims exceeds $1 billion a year. The prevalence of random violence featuring handguns in some neighborhoods has resulted in numbers of older people becoming virtual prisoners in their homes. Increasingly, families are suffering the loss of children and grandchildren who are the victims of violent crimes and senseless shootings. AARP policy does not preclude gun ownership for responsible citizens. Our policy states: "The federal government must continue to control the availability of handguns and semiautomatic and automatic weapons. Congress should reinstate the Brady law's five-day waiting period and should leave in place the assault weapons ban. States should enact legislation that prohibits the possession of handguns by juveniles, requires adults who own handguns to keep them away from juveniles, and prohibits the possession of guns by convicted domestic abusers." I hope this information has been helpful. While you may disagree with the Board on this particular policy, we hope that many other issues, objectives, and services of AARP so beneficial to older Americans encourage you to remain a valued member of the association. We appreciate your participation. Thank you again for contacting us. Please accept our apologies for the delay in getting back to you. AARP believes in prompt service to members, and we apologize for any inconvenience this delay may have caused. It has been our pleasure to assist you. Jaimie Member Service [url "mailto:Member@aarp.org"][#0000ff]Member@aarp.org[/#0000ff][/url] </P [signature] |