Sign of desperation
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence this morning delivered a complaint to the Senate Ethics Committee, arguing that Senator Larry Craig has “impermissibly acted in his capacity as a Senator to further the interests, including the financial interests, of an organization for which he serves as a member of the Board of Directors.”
Senator Craig (R-ID) is the Sponsor and Senate Floor Manager of the bill before the Senate that would provide broad immunity from civil litigation to gun manufacturers, gun dealers and trade associations in the gun industry. As a trade association under the definition of the bill, the National Rifle Association (NRA) would benefit from the legislation. Senator Craig serves on the Board of Directors of the NRA. “Because of this conflict of interest, Senator Craig should immediately recuse himself from any further action on this bill, including any votes,” said Michael Barnes, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united with the Million Mom March.
The complaint states “nothing could present a more obvious and glaring conflict than that presented here, where an agent or representative of the NRA (Senator Craig) is attempting to carve out unique and unprecedented immunity from the civil justice system for the NRA, some of its members, and the rest of the gun industry. What makes the conflict here particularly extraordinary is that Senator Craig is using his legislative position to carve out a narrow, special exemption to the law that only applies to his organization and its gun industry members and allies, in order to further their financial interests.” It is signed by Barnes.
Nevermind that Craig has used, ya know, facts and stuff to support his contentions. It really is a sign of desperation, in my opinion. 36 or so states with concealed weapons permits, gun control is unpopular, the house won’t renew the ban. They’re on the losing side, they know it, and they’re desperate for something.
