If this is not a lawsuit in the making, I am not sure what is. The Los Angeles City Council recently passed a motion forcing city contractors to disclose any ties or support with the National Rifle Association (NRA).
While the new ordinance was approved by a 10-0 vote, it will not (formally) ban NRA-linked contractors from doing business with the city. However, it is hard to imagine any legitimate use or reason to require contractors to disclose any contracts or sponsorships they have with the NRA. However, it is easy to imagine how such knowledge could be used to discriminate about political beliefs or support of the Second Amendment.
The motion was written by Councilman Mitch O’Farrell. The new motion directs the city attorney to draft an ordinance outlining the new disclosure rules, which will need to be voted on by the City Council.
“For the sake of transparency, the city’s residents and stakeholders deserve to know how the city’s public funds are being spent, and whether taxpayer funds are being spent on contractors that have contractual or sponsorship ties with the NRA,” the motion states. What about the Antifa, Black Lives Matter, the Green Party, Tea Party, or dozens of other groups? Why does the LA City Council not seem concerned with whether city contractors donated to the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, or the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence?
Los Angeles has doubled down on a record that has shown an anti-Second Amendment bias for years. In August, Councilman Mitch Englander introduced a motion with would make possessing, downloading, or distributing a blueprint for 3D firearm a misdemeanor in the city of L.A. Does anyone else see a free speech issue here?
Last year, the council was forced to repeal a longtime ban on the sale of “ultracompact” handguns. The ban, which was enacted in 2001, prevented the sale of firearms with a length less that 6.75 inches or a height less than 4.5 inches within city limits. It would seem Los Angeles has never heard of the Heller Decision’s “in common use” clause.
The NRA and California Rifle & Pistol Association had long been opposed to the ban, and threatening legal action if it was not overturned, arguing that state law allowed the sale of some of the weapons and preempted the local ordinance. In 2015, the council approved a ban on high-capacity gun magazines with more than 10 rounds. While all of these laws or attempted laws dealt with firearms directly, that latest action was first to target the NRA and de facto threaten anyone wishing to support the NRA.
Do you think the City of Los Angeles will be successful in implementing this new law? How do you think the information will be used? Share your answers and analysis in the comment section.
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I am a multi-gun owner and I want the right to own and bear arms. What I do not want is the Russia Backed NRA any longer. The NRA is now a fascist anti-American organization that has turned it’s back on US citizens in support of a fascist regime. no one should be supporting the NRA right now
I’m a proud Patriot Life member of the NRA. I’m also an NRA Instructor and CRSO. I spent this summer shooting with many NRA member’s like myself, and I can assure you none of us are in any way associated with Russia. Just common patriots, like myself from the rurals of America. That said, the NRA is a member voting organization and every year or so I submit various ballots. I do not personally fear Russia’s influence over America: what I fear is decision making void of knowledge and logic. Making decisions based on fear and emotion is a mostly Leftist phenomenon in America. I do not fear Russia any more than I fear those mostly (Leftists) who are quick to jump to conclusions out of fear and emotion, striking the gas lights which spill onto the streets of America. America is a nation where the rule of law must rule the day, or we will be no better off than any turbulent and corrupt autocracy in the peripheral world. I have served in the streets of socialist nations, seen the hard faces of those living under tyrants, seen the lifeless bodies of those who are subjects to an agenda not their own. My advice to you is to be weary of anyone who offers you something when they have the power to take it all away. And never give up a single freedom for convenience. The NRA has done more to support your constitutional rights than any other organization, President, or leader period. You should get to know the NRA before you are quick to condemn it.
From what I have seen on the Russia/ NRA subject, it seems to be something that was hot in the left wing news back in June. You have to know that Mueller is all over this. And if he had anything, he would be ringing the bell and making arrests. Do I have a problem if Russia gave money to the NRA. Not any more than I have a problem with thousands of foreign governments and investors spreading millions of dollars to influence their interests. If Russia’s NRA money was spent to lobby for the lifting of Russian gun bans and the sale of their gun products, I’m ok with that. But if the NRA used that money to influence an election, now that is a problem. Also illegal. So where are the arrest warrants if that is so. And if you are calling the current Republican administration a fascist regime, well I think that tells us that you are a little left of center on the issues. But still glad that you support the right to bare arms. As for me, I’ll stand with the NRA and try to preserve your 2nd amendment rights.
P.S. did the NRA not send you the free gift when you joined?
If they are going to ask about NRA connections, then all political connections should be disclosed to make the public expenditures truly transparent. I’ll bet some interesting ties to elected officials will be exposed. I’ve been involved in construction contracting all my life and there is always something fishy when it comes to government contracts.