Heston Says Famous Line Final Time as NRA President
URL:http://www.townhall.com/news/politics/200304/NAT20030427a.shtml
Orlando, Fla. (CNSNews.com) - Charlton Heston ended his term as president of the National Rifle Association (NRA) Saturday as he began it, declaring his devotion to the Second Amendment and his love for the other freedoms he believes are protected by the right to keep and bear arms.
"Our founders pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor in the name of liberty," he said in a pre-taped address to more than 4,000 NRA members gathered for the group's 132nd annual meeting. "We pledge to preserve it."
NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre then presented Heston with a Winchester 1866 "cowboy rifle" in honor of his service.
"Chuck this is a very valuable rifle," LaPierre said. "But I think it's about to become priceless because I know you have something to say to all of us."
Despite being 78 years old and suffering the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, Heston raised the rifle above his head in a hallmark that has become as recognizable as the Academy Award winning actor's portrayal of Moses in "The Ten Commandments." Then he made the statement - for the last time as NRA president - that rallied defenders of gun ownership for the length of his term:
"From my cold, dead hands."
The audience gathered in the Orange County Convention Center rose to their feet in thunderous applause for Heston, who wasn't finished speaking.
"Thank you, thank you, all. Thank you for everything done for me not only today, but through all the years," he said, fighting back tears. "I'm gonna miss you."
Million Mom March Protests NRA Meeting
Outside the building, approximately two dozen staff members and supporters of the "Million Mom March" anti-gun group gathered to protest against the NRA.
"The moms here have assembled to talk about the extremist agenda of the National Rifle Association," said Rob Wilcox, a staff member.
"The activists that are gathering here aren't interested in banning guns," Wilcox said.
Despite that claim, Wilcox told CNSNews.com that the marchers support the renewal of the so-called "assault weapons" ban in September 2004. The ban actually prohibits the manufacture or importation of hundreds of types of semi-automatic firearms commonly used in sport shooting and hunting in the U.S., not true "assault weapons," which are also referred to as "fully automatic" or "machine guns." It was passed in 1994 when Democrats controlled Congress and President Bill Clinton was in office.
Chris Cox, the chief lobbyist for the NRA, challenged supporters of the ban in his address to the NRA membership.
"You know, the gun ban crowd has had ten long years to produce one single shred of evidence that banning guns has any positive effect on crime, and there's not one," he said.
"Folks, that law is a fraud and Congress will have the chance to do something about it," Cox added. "With your help, Congress will see the light, or they will feel the heat."
After the passage of the ban in 1994, many of the members of Congress who supported the legislation were defeated, returning control of the federal legislature to Republicans for the first time in four decades.
Protesters Oppose Lawsuit Preemption Legislation
Wilcox said the protesters were also present to voice their opposition to the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
"There's a bill in front of the Senate right now that would give sweeping immunity to the gun industry," he said, describing the proposal as "slamming the courthouse door on victims of gun violence."
Passed by the House April 9 on a 285 to 140 vote, the bill specifically prohibits only lawsuits "against manufacturers, distributors, dealers and importers of firearms or ammunition products for the harm caused by the criminal or unlawful misuse of firearm products or ammunition products by others when the product functioned as designed and intended."
The proposal would not affect lawsuits filed against the gun industry for faulty products or services. Victims (or their survivors) of violence committed by a criminal using a gun would still be permitted to sue the criminal for his or her actions, along with any person who negligently or illegally provided the gun to the criminal.
Cox warned NRA members that, while more than 50 senators support the legislation that will not be enough.
""We'll need 60 votes to survive a filibuster because [Sen.] Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) will be standing first in line to block it," he said. "We're going to need the grassroots activism of each and every one of you in this room and gun owners across this country to win this battle in the Senate."
Probable Replacement for Heston: 'You Are on the Side of the Angels'
NRA First Vice President Kayne Robinson, who is expected to be elected president at a meeting of the organization's board of directors Monday, warned those in attendance to continue to defend the Second Amendment from those he called "haters."
"It's our freedom they hate. No, freedom is for the wealthy, the gifted, the popular, the privileged," he said. "But not for average Americans in Orlando or average Iraqis in Baghdad.
"They're the same crowd who would gut the Second Amendment and disarm Americans," he continued. "They've already done it in England. They've done it in Australia. They're doing it now in Canada."
Robinson connected the NRA's support of President George W. Bush, to which former President Clinton has credited Bush's victory, to the liberation of the Iraqi people from Saddam Hussein.
"The reason they are free? President George Bush. The reason he is president? The NRA.
"Everything changed a world a way because of what you did in the ballot box," he concluded. "And that is the ultimate, profound and irrefutable proof that you stand on the side of the angels." |
