5/09/02 Bush Administration’s Timely Second Amendment Announcement

Bush Administration’s Announcement Very Timely
— Chicago woman dead because she was denied her individual gun rights

For Immediate Release
May 09 2002
Contact: Andrew Said
703-321-8585

(Springfield, VA) — Gun Owners of America today hailed the Bush Administration’s recent declaration stating that the Second Amendment protects an individual right, as a good first step.

“This announcement couldn’t be more timely,” said Erich Pratt, GOA Director of Communications. “Gun bans in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and other cities are leaving victims defenseless, and innocent people are dying as a result.”

The Chicago Sun-Times reported this week on another 911 caller (a woman) who died when police could not arrive in time to protect her. Despite the fact that Ronyale White called 911 three times, Chicago police did not arrive until 17 minutes later. By then, her estranged husband had shot her. Chicago has effectively implemented a total ban on handguns.

“Notice that a total gun ban disarmed the victim, but not the perpetrator,” Pratt said. “This is why the individual right to own guns is essential. Women such as Ronyale White of Chicago are especially at risk when they are prevented from defending their lives with firearms.”

By contrast, the Brady Center declared on its website that the Bush doctrine will work “to the benefit of the criminal[s].” GOA cited the Brady Center statement as the latest example showing how the organization truly does want to disarm the citizenry.

“The Brady Center’s position shows they really don’t like good people owning firearms. The reality is that the right to bear arms is a criminal’s worst nightmare. Thugs hate it when their victims are armed,” Pratt said.

“On the day Ronyale White was slain by her husband, there were almost 7,000 people who successfully defended their lives with a firearm. We can only hope that the Bush administration’s position on gun rights will result in the repeal of gun control laws, so that good people can protect themselves,” Pratt said.

FAST FACT: Ronyale White’s unfortunate situation was no aberration. To the contrary, the statistics are startling. According to the Department of Justice, in one year, police response times for almost 200,000 crimes of violence exceeded one hour.

Erich Pratt is the Director of Communications for Gun Owners of America, a national gun lobby with over 300,000 members located at 8001 Forbes Place, Springfield, VA 22151.

Erich Pratt is available for press interviews.

— GOA —