Monday, September 21, 2015

The GOA Denies Being Controversial

GOA-cover
Larry Pratt


Guns dot com

Lobbyist group Gun Owners of America raised issues with a recent article by Guns.com that discussed a shift in mainstream gun politics when presidential hopeful Ted Cruz said he was “honored” to be endorsed by the group.


The specific issues raised by GOA was our reference calling the group “controversial” because of connections and alleged connections to hate groups. The group penned an open letter to Guns.com — but never actually sent it to Guns.com — claiming inaccuracies.


To be clear, the article did not explicitly state that GOA was a hate group nor its executive director, Larry Pratt, a racist. However, because of accusations brought about by the lobbyist group and its members, we reviewed key details in the report that supported calling it “controversial,” particularly when compared to the much larger National Rifle Association.


Last September, GOA made headlines when it submitted an amicus brief challenging mandatory sentencing under the Armed Career Criminal Act. This was controversial because the defendant in the case was Samuel Johnson, a convicted felon, repeat violent offender, and known neo-Nazi who had been accused of plotting terrorist attacks.

13 comments:


  1. Well, there seems to be at least one other organization that might be considered controversial then,

    "NEW YORK--In the United States Supreme Court over the past few years, the American Civil Liberties Union has taken the side of a fundamentalist Christian church, a Santerian church, and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. In celebrated cases, the ACLU has stood up for everyone from Oliver North to the National Socialist Party. In spite of all that, the ACLU has never advocated Christianity, ritual animal sacrifice, trading arms for hostages or genocide. In representing NAMBLA today, our Massachusetts affiliate does not advocate sexual relationships between adults and children."

    "It is easy to defend freedom of speech when the message is something many people find at least reasonable. But the defense of freedom of speech is most critical when the message is one most people find repulsive. That was true when the Nazis marched in Skokie. It remains true today."

    https://www.aclu.org/news/aclu-statement-defending-free-speech-unpopular-organizations?redirect=free-speech/aclu-statement-defending-free-speech-unpopular-organizations

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    Replies
    1. Typical dishonest tactic, talk about anything except the group/person this article is about. Is Larry Pratt a child molester?

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    2. Well Anon, I was just mentioning an organization that seems to share the same style of being controversial. Perhaps you can give an opinion on why you believe one's actions is worse than the other's?

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    3. Anonymous is right. You're obfuscating the argument. Do you agree that the GOA is controversial or not?

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    4. Do you agree that the GOA is controversial or not?

      Can you name one group dedicated to advocacy on a social or political issue and who is not controversial?

      Furthermore, could you show me where GOA denies being controversial? In their open letter, the word "controversial" is mentioned one time:

      Gun Owners of America would like to respond to Jared Morgan’s article entitled, “Ted Cruz endorsement of controversial gun group signals shift in GOP.”

      If that sentence means that they're denying being controversial, would it not also mean that they're denying being endorsed by Cruz?

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    5. "Do you agree that the GOA is controversial or not?"

      I agree Mike, they are just as controversial as the ACLU.

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    6. Another non-comparison from the dishonest SS. He simply can not answer a simple question without distorting it.

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    7. Ha! Says the pot calling the kettel black!

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    8. That's funny BIG coming from a guy who refuses to answer any questions, or even look up the numbers he claims to know. What BS.

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    9. Again, pot calling the kettle black.

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    10. Just the truth proven by your own words

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    11. Yep, just the truth PROVEN by MY OWN WORDS anon. You are completely correct, for once.

      Again, pot calling the kettle black.

      I am glad you admit it. Thank you.

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    12. These proven liars can put out all the childish insults they want, it only proves what I say about them, is correct. Why do gun loons have to lie?

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