by If you saw the movie Full Metal Jacket, you know that R. Lee Ermey played drill instructor GySgt Hartman and that Vincent D’Onofrio played Pvt. Pyle. Unlike Mr. D’Onofrio, R. Lee Ermey actually served in the Marine Corps and was a real-life drill instructor. The Gunny is also pro-gun rights.
The Citizens Crime Commission of New York City bills itself as “an independent nonprofit organization working to make criminal justice and public safety policies and practices more effective through innovation, research, and education.” It is also self-described as non-partisan.
To which I say bullshit.
Richard M. Aborn who appears at the end of this little lesson in propaganda is not just some civic minded do-gooder. Read what an organization for whom served as President from 1992 until 1996 says about him:
Mr. Aborn was President of Handgun Control, Inc and the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence from 1992 to 1996.
Richard was one of the principal strategists behind the passage of the landmark Brady Bill and the federal assault weapons and large capacity clips ban. He has testified on Capitol Hill and in numerous state and local legislatures and worked closely with the White House, the Justice Department and the Treasury Department. As one of the chief spokespersons for Handgun Control, Mr. Aborn appeared on numerous national and local television and radio shows.
Currently, Richard is a partner of Constantine Cannon and has over two decades of experience in litigation, public and government affairs, program analysis, management, issue advocacy, and social sector enterprises.
That organization is, of course, the Brady Campaign which was formerly know as Handgun Control, Inc. and the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence. Mr. Aborn is also on the Board of Directors of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence which is actively promoting the video above.
Mr. D’Onofrio is just another actor who has willingly let himself be used by an anti-gun organization.
If you watched the interview on CNN with Vincent D'Onofrio and Susan Candiotti on February 5th, you would have heard Vincent express he is not against people owning guns. He went on to say that it is their "freedom". The purpose of his involvement was mainly in reference to police officers being gunned down by a perpetrator using a gun with a large capacity magazine. As he is actively involved with first responders causes such as Meth Cops Project, Heroes Health Project and the New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project, the appeal to do this ad was based on police officer safety. The only thing he "willingly let himself by used" for was his name and it got even you to post the video.
@Nantz: If you get in bed with someone the likes of Richard Aborn, you deserve to be called out on it.
Restricting the size of a magazine will not make life safer for cops in NYC. As it is, NY State has restrictions on the size of magazines and life as a cop is still tough. Better training and better tactics would do more.
I was just trying to point out that his mission has been more about the safety and welfare of police officers. Is the ban the ultimate solution? No. Look, I also agree that people should have the right to own a gun. I grew up in a home with hunters that were responsible. But, I still think that a step forward is better than a step backward in trying to deter things. You're right about the training…I understand the "miss rate" for NYC cops is a whooping 78%. I just think that one of the victims who died in the Arizona shooting…the 9 year old that was born on the 9/11 tragedy…death should have some purpose. This is at the very least some type of action and not merely a reaction by talking and not doing anything.
@Nantz – What "step forward" do you refer to?
Banning ordinary magazines? Sorry – they're useful. That's why the police use them.
@Nantz: You said – "This is at the very least some type of action and not merely a reaction by talking and not doing anything. "
In a course on public policy I took many years ago, I learned that often the best policy is to do nothing. And so it is with this issue.
As Stephen Hunter wrote the other day – Is it worth it if it costs just one life (by banning larger capacity magazines)?
@jdberger High capacity magazines…did you read the post?