Politics is full of irony.

On the one hand, it looks like some folks in the nation’s capital are finally starting to realize that banning guns is political suicide. On the other hand, those who have benefited most from “gun politics” are about to shoot themselves in the foot.

Several media reports within the past few weeks have reported that Democratic presidential candidates are running to the center, trying their best to distance themselves from the Brady Bunch.

The Washington Post reported in October that “the gun issue contributed to Gore’s defeat” in 2000 and could “backfire on the party again next year” if Democrats do not quickly lose their anti-gun image.

For this reason, Democratic presidential candidates are “distancing themselves from tough gun control,” the article said, “reversing a decade of rhetoric and advocacy by the Democratic Party in favor of federal regulation of firearms.”

To be sure, many top-level Democrats have finally realized that support for gun control cost them control of the House, the Senate and the White House.

Thus, given the politics of the issue, it is surprising that the only legislation likely to pass on firearms issues, as this session of Congress comes to an end, are anti-gun bills.

And Republicans are leading the charge! Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) are the chief sponsors of legislation extending the ban on non-existent “plastic guns.”

This legislation is expected to be rushed to the Senate floor shortly. While such a ban may seem harmless, it sets a dangerous precedent. If non-existent guns can be banned as a means of preventing danger, certainly real guns, which stand ready to defend millions of homes, can be seen as a greater danger.

While the ban on non-existent guns is on the fast track, consider the pro-gun bills that are still languishing in Congress:

The Republican leadership suspended the rules in the House and passed the plastic gun ban on a voice vote. Why not employ the same determination and pass any of the above-mentioned bills that would advance Second Amendment rights?

Why not force the Transportation Security Administration to REALLY start arming pilots, rather than letting them proceed at their current snail’s pace? (At the agency’s current rate of arming pilots, it will take 15 years to arm all the pilots who wish to defend their passengers and crew.)

ACTION: Please urge your Senators to oppose ALL versions of the gun ban that is being rushed to the President’s desk. The three versions currently floating around Capitol Hill are bills introduced by Hatch (S. 1835), Kennedy (S. 1774) and Sensenbrenner (H.R. 3348).

Instead, ask your Senators to pass S. 659 (the gun industry protection act) without ANY anti-gun amendments attached to it. This bill is vitally important, as the gun industry could be crippled if the anti-gun lawsuits that have been launched by the Brady Bunch crowd are not brought to an end.

TOOLS FOR ACTION:

Please visit the Gun Owners Legislative Action Center at http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm to send the pre-written message below to your Senators.

You can also call your Senators toll free at 1-800-648-3516.

—– Pre-written message —–

Dear Senator:

The Washington Post reported in October that “the gun issue contributed to Gore’s defeat” in 2000 and could “backfire on the party again next year” if Democrats do not quickly lose their anti-gun image.

For this reason, Democratic presidential candidates are “distancing themselves from tough gun control,” the article said, “reversing a decade of rhetoric and advocacy by the Democratic Party in favor of federal regulation of firearms.”

To be sure, many top-level Democrats have finally realized that support for gun control cost them control of the House, the Senate and the White House.

Thus, given the politics of the issue, it is surprising that the only legislation likely to pass on firearms issues, as this session of Congress comes to an end, is an anti-gun bill.

Instead of passing a ban on non-existent “plastic guns,” please push for S. 659 — a bill that will protect the firearms industry from frivolous lawsuits. This bill has been awaiting action in the Senate for several months now and has 54 Senate cosponsors.

Again, please vote AGAINST any gun ban, whether it is offered by Sen. Hatch (S. 1835) or Sen. Kennedy (S. 1774). I would also urge you to oppose the plastic gun ban which passed in the House (H.R. 3348).

Instead, I would urge you to vote for S. 659, without ANY anti-gun amendments being attached to it. Thank you.

Sincerely,

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“Live Fire” radio with Larry Pratt is now broadcast by the Information Radio Network on Saturdays at 12:00 Noon Eastern. “Live Fire” is simulcast on the web at http://inforadionet.com and previous episodes are archived at http://www.soundwaves2000.com/livefire/ in RealAudio. Recent episodes have included: