As a national organization of law
enforcement professionals we are outraged that they National Rifle Association
(NRA) would use their political clout to influence the United State Congress to
hold the US Attorney General in contempt. This political move by the NRA is a
prime example how money can influence any politicians vote and their agenda.
American gun rights and a failed gun trafficking operation are like comparing apples to oranges. Since the NRA and Rep. Darrell Issa (R) of California, chairman of the House Government Oversight Committee, both believe the government has tried to use the Fast and Furious scandal to support arguments for more gun control. It should be fair to look at the effect guns have on children in the U.S., especially, children in poor and black communities.
According to the recent report by the
Children Defense Fund, guns are causing the deaths of thousands and
thousands of children each year. In 2008 and 2009, gun homicide was the leading cause
of death among black teens.American gun rights and a failed gun trafficking operation are like comparing apples to oranges. Since the NRA and Rep. Darrell Issa (R) of California, chairman of the House Government Oversight Committee, both believe the government has tried to use the Fast and Furious scandal to support arguments for more gun control. It should be fair to look at the effect guns have on children in the U.S., especially, children in poor and black communities.
According to the report, in 2008, 2,947 children and teens died from guns in the United States and 2,793 died in 2009 for a total of 5,740—one child or teen every three hours, eight every day, 55 every week for two years. Six times as many children and teens—34,387—suffered nonfatal gun injuries as gun deaths in 2008 and 2009. This is equal to one child or teen every 31 minutes, 47 every day, and 331 children and teens every week.
Why haven’t our Republican leadership, Representative Issa or the NRA question how many youth in the poor and black communities across the nation are able to buy Uzi sub-machine guns, AK-47 rifles, and other assault weapons that would fuel deadly gang turf wars, drive-by shootings, murders and robberies? Obviously African American males don’t have planes and boats to move the guns into the Black community. The amount of guns that flow in the poor and black communities across the nation far out way the estimated two thousand that was lost across the border and have killed mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and even law enforcement. The NRA and Representative Issa should be embarrassed to know that it is easier for a youth in urban cities in the United States to get an illegal gun faster than they can get a job.
The NRA should support proper investigations into individuals that abuse their gun rights, privileges and licensing that allow millions of illegal guns on the black market. The NRA and Representative Issa should be embarrassed to know that it is easier for a youth in urban cities in the United States to get an illegal gun faster than they can get a job.
Blacks In Law Enforcement of America is a national organization of Black Law enforcement Professionals. Our principal concerns are the promotion of justice, fairness, and effectiveness in law enforcement issues and the effect of those issues upon the total community.
