Well it seems apparent that the NRA represents the gun lobby and guns rights in general. I am not a member of the NRA and all my guns are papered with me as the owner. I have never been to a gun show and I am not too interested in that sort of thing. Seems to me that the no paper trail "loop hole" is a good way to get around certain laws. Basically my view of the NRA is that it is like an "open shop" union. All gun owners to some extent are effected by its policies and agendas. I am not a big fan, but the way I see it they ARE the only group with any sway on capital hill lobbying for our gun rights. Even though they seem tainted with power at least they are standing up for something. They seem to be the only representation up there for us. Its a double edged sword. Unfortunately the NRA seems like a necessary evil for now.

On another note I am deeply concerned over one thing that this proposed package deal is not getting a lot of attention comparatively speaking. That is the matter of banning all "armor piecing" ammo. By Mr. Kennedy's definition that that includes even hunting ammo like 30-06. Anything that could potentially penetrate body armor is fare game to be banned. Not just the FMJ military surplus ammo. This is a just another excuse to limit our ability to use high powered rifle ammo. Basically we could get regulated out of shooting or priced out of the market. Military surplus ammo is cheap and an economical practice ammo. When was the last time this type of ammo was used to shoot through body armor in the US outside of testing? Where are the numbers justifying banning this ammo? This smells foul.

The real problem I see is we need change, but we cannot trust that the folks on the hill are going to do this in an honest manner.