Mayors group wants to make it harder for criminals to get guns
Here’s a simple idea: You can be for the rights of law-abiding gun owners but also for common-sense policies to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.
That idea has brought together a bipartisan group of more than 400 mayors from all over the country as the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition. I’m a veteran, a gun owner, a hunter and a member of the National Rifle Association — and I’m the mayor of Hurst and a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns.
Unfortunately, the NRA has spent the past month attempting to bully mayors, including me, to drop out of this effort to have a consensus discussion about guns. They have sent hundreds of thousands of misleading postcards stating this coalition is “anti-gun” and is seeking to “regulate gun shows out of existence,” along with several other untruths and misleading statements.
It’s time to set the record straight.
Full Story Here:
Mayors group wants to make it harder for criminals to get guns
You are correct Dick, it IS time to set the record straight. And we’re going to do a line by line analysis on your Op/Ed piece. Ummm-Kay??
I have not received a request directly from the NRA asking me to resign from MAIG. I have heard from many NRA members.
I fully support the rights of law-abiding citizens under the Second Amendment. What I don’t support is criminals getting their hands on guns. The coalition is for enforcing existing gun laws, increasing penalties for gun criminals and closing gaps in the gun background check system.
You are the ONLY Mayor in the entire state of Texas that has signed on to this back door, veiled attempt to regulate, and most likely remove guns from the hands of ALL honest gun owners everywhere. And I have to ask, did those NRA members get the same response from you that I got when I contacted you? I got an attack on me personally? Did you do that to them too Dick, or was Monday just a bad day for you?
And how can you “fully support the rights of law-abiding citizens under the Second Amendment” and align yourself with people like Michael Bloomberg? Bloomberg, an avowed anti-gun person that would have every gun in the USA destroyed if it were in his power? How is that Dick?
Increased penalties for criminals with guns? That sounds great, but gun control isn’t the answer Dick. The bad guys don’t BUY their guns, and they damn sure don’t register them. How are you going to close the gaps on that one there Dick?
We are for providing police officers with access to the data they need to prevent the flow of illegal guns into our communities. None of these efforts have posed any threat to the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
There is nothing “anti-gun” about this agenda. The only people who should be worried about the coalition are the criminals.
Well Dick, legal gun sales are the only ones that will be affected by this. You sir, are just another one of the anti-gun people. No matter what you say, there IS an anti-gun agenda at work here and if you had a lick of sense you would know, criminals are only stopped one way. That is through good police work and by home and business owners exercising their LEGAL rights under the Castle Doctrine when the goblins come in trying to steal our LEGAL and REGISTERED guns.
For example, our coalition of mayors supports requiring background checks for all gun sales at gun shows. Allowing unlicensed sellers to skip background checks creates an easy way for criminals to buy guns. Some states have closed this “gun show loophole,” and gun shows continue to be held in those states.
I have no problem with background checks for gun buyers at gun shows, but again Dick, that’s NOT where the bad guys are getting their weapons. You’re just not grasping that for some reason.
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The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has cited gun shows as a top source of illegal guns being trafficked into Mexico, fueling the crisis in border violence. We have supported an increase in the ATF budget so that they can have more funds to fight the unlawful transfer of guns across borders.
I know there are some unscrupulous gun dealers and gun buyers, they have always been around, but if I am not mistaken, most of that BATF report about the origin of the guns used in Mexico was debunked.
In the days of the old west there were unscrupulous gun dealers that sold repeating rifles to the hostile Indians. These are NOT those days of old.
There are people that buy guns, LEGALLY, and they DO buy them for the cartels, they do it right here in Texas. But if the gun dealer that sells them these weapons has done his job and checked them out regarding their criminal background, then HE has done his job. If the buyer takes these guns to the cartels that BUYER is the one that needs to be strung up by his Achilles tendons and left to rot!
Leave the LEGAL and RESPONSIBLE gun owners and licensed gun dealers alone. Go after the real *bad guys*, those that manipulate the system in order to supply drug dealers with weapons. Go after ANY dealer that skirts the law to make these sales. Go after ANY buyer that supplies the cartels. We don’t need any more gun laws, we need to enforce the laws we have and engage in the most strict punishment imaginable against those that bring peril to this nation and to those that endanger our 2nd Amendment rights with their behavior!
Who else supports closing the gun show loophole? According to a bipartisan poll done in 2008, 87 percent of Americans and 83 percent of gun owners support this move.
Without a link to these figures, a reputable source, your story just doesn’t hold water. You see Dick, citation is everything for the writer of a reputable blog, you’d think an OLD guy like you would know that. I mean, if a dumb and ugly guy like me knows, a really smart guy like you should too. With no citation, it may very well be a statistic that you made up.
I joined the coalition because my highest responsibility is to protect the public safety of Hurst residents. I would never be part of an organization that aims to take away my Second Amendment rights, nor the rights of anyone in Texas.
Well Dick, you may not have intended to sign on with one, but you did. All ANY gun owner in the USA needs to see is the name of Michael Bloomberg and warning bells go off, you are guilty by association there Dick.
I have worked hard to do a good job as mayor for the last five years. The coalition to which I belong is not going to take any law-abiding person’s guns. Why would anyone believe the negative statements that have been made about their mayor when he has worked so long and hard and has kept the best interest of Hurst residents at heart?
Well Dick, just guessing here, since I am so dumb and all, I’m thinking that the management of the city is one thing, but when a small town Mayor starts talking about guns and registration, loopholes, gun shows and the likes, well doggone it Dick, those pesky alarm bells just start up again, and it’s hard for LEGAL and LAW ABIDING citizens to buy into this little Bloomberg plan.
I have no hidden agenda.
You sure do like to say that Dick. “No hidden agenda”. For a guy with NO hidden agenda, you sure do defend that position. A lot like someone that DOES have a hidden agenda. Those damned warning bells are going off again Dick. Read MY lips…
I’ve talked with many gun owners who agree that supporting gun rights and fighting gun crime are consistent goals. The NRA ought to listen to them. The NRA ought to be applauding mayors for trying to build consensus on the gun issue — and the NRA should join us in our efforts.
Tell me Dick, does it get lonely up there in that Ivory Tower? And all of these gun owners that you have talked to, how many of them told you to take your damned hands OFF of their guns?
Look Dick, you can’t convince ANYONE that this little farce is about criminals only. We ALL know where the bad guys get their guns. We all know about the miserable SOBs that buy legally and sell to the Mexican cartels. But we also know that the Central and South American black markets are where most of the guns in Mexico are coming from. I have NEVER seen live grenades or C-4 sold at ANY gun show. Have you Dick?
The NRA isn’t joining your effort simply because the NRA knows, as well as I, or any other legal gun owner, you’re a gun grabber Dick, and that hidden agenda you deny so vehemently is really there, buried deeply Dick, and waiting to spring on ALL guns and gun owners.
And Dick ol’ boy, you have got to get a better plan of attack going man. I know a gentleman of your very advanced age should have learned by now, email attacks and name calling are quite childish. That stuff just doesn’t look too good to the media or the voters. And I am going to send that last email to The Dallas Morning News and Ft. Worth Star Telegram too. The voters of the fine City of Hurst need to know what kind of childish person you really are.
from: Richard Ward [email protected]
to: [email protected]
date: Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 9:17 PM
subject: Signing off
mailed - by charter.net
hide details 9:17 PM (46 minutes ago)The below is a direct quote from your web site. It is okay for you to be highly opinionated and state what is exactly on your mind, but let anyone else speak their mind and all hell breaks loose. Well, I am the same way. You are still ugly and you are still dumb. You know Fred, you can play your little game all day, but I do not have time for your drivel and I assure you, your readers will forget this by this time next week. Signing off!!!
Richard Ward
MayorI’m a highly opinionated blogger, if you ask for my opinion I’ll let you know exactly what’s on my mind. I don’t play the PC game, so, be very careful what you ask for.
You are just too much Dick, really, I am laughing my ass off here. I am ugly and dumb? That’s it? That’s all you have? The only thing you left out was the part about my Mom dressing me funny… 
And thank you for reminding me of my own quote, that keeps slipping my mind, what with me being so dumb and all.
Dick, you are entitled to your opinion, that is not the issue. I am entitled to challenge you, a public official, ON those opinions. I asked a question, I stated an opinion and you launched a name calling tirade that my 5 year old grand son knows not to do.
It wasn’t too terrible Dick, but it’s enough, it shows EVERYONE exactly what you’re made of. And it sure does have a really strong smell of BS. Sort of like you have no real and valid argument. You can’t debate the facts, you can’t take even the least criticism, so YOU call names.
I’m NOT one of those *all hat and no cattle* kind of guys Dick, I know what BS smells like, and that’s exactly what the citizens of Hurst fell for when they elected you! A big old bag of wind and a load of BS.
I really don’t think my readers will forget this either Dick. I may make you a regular part of my blog. Let’s face it Dick, we need some entertainment, and the voters of Hurst need to see how you responded to an email that in no way called you ugly or dumb. I said, “You are a disgrace!” and for that I am told that I am ugly and dumb?
Your political opinion was criticized Dick, not you, not your morals, your family, your religious beliefs, your appearance or anything else. I criticized your political stand Dick, and you launched the insults, YOU, the Mayor of Hurst, Texas, calling names like a little kid on the school yard.
Bad form there Ol’ boy…
Geez, Fred, what is it with you and guys named Dick?
Well, he goes by Richard, but since I addressed him by name so many times, I went ahead and used the shorter form of Richard, Dick…
And it seems to be a rather appropriate fit too!
I kind of think the name fits! LOL!!! I just love the first and last option of a liberal in a debate…. Your ugly and dumb, and oh, Dick forgot the big one… RACIST!!!!
Good post Fred!!!
WOW talk about epic ownage….Ol Dick is in big trouble come next election I’m sure…BTW there appears to be 2 Mayors in TX that signed on to Bloombergs coat tails…
Mayor Bill White
Houston, TX
Mayor Richard Ward
Hurst, TX
BUT either way only two in your entire state is a real compliment to your brethren longhorns. Here’s what I have to deal with in the peoples republic of Kalifornia:
California:Mayor Todd Campbell
Burbank, CA
Mayor Daniel E. Furtado
Campbell, CA
Mayor Cheryl Cox
Chula Vista, CA
Mayor Kris Wang
Cupertino, CA
Mayor Robert Wasserman
Fremont, CA
Mayor Gary Plass
Healdsburg, CA
Mayor Beth Krom
Irvine, CA
Mayor H. Manuel Ortiz
Irwindale, CA
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Los Angeles, CA
Mayor Rob Schroder
Martinez, CA
Mayor Steve Cottrell
Nevada City, CA
Mayor Ron Dellums
Oakland, CA
Mayor Steven Glazer
Orinda, CA
Mayor Pamela Torliatt
Petaluma, CA
Mayor David Durant
Pleasant Hill , CA
Mayor Jennifer Hosterman
Pleasanton, CA
Mayor Thomas D. Long
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Mayor Gayle McLaughlin
Richmond, CA
Mayor Heather Fargo
Sacramento, CA
Mayor Patrick J. Morris
San Bernardino, CA
Mayor Jerry Sanders
San Diego, CA
Mayor Gavin Newsom
San Francisco, CA
Mayor Chuck Reed
San Jose, CA
Mayor Miguel Pulido
Santa Ana, CA
Mayor Marty Blum
Santa Barbara, CA
Mayor Joseph D. Serrano, Sr.
Santa Fe Springs, CA
Mayor Bob Blanchard
Santa Rosa, CA
Mayor Paul Miller
Simi Valley, CA
Mayor Edward Chavez
Stockton, CA
Mayor Otto O. Lee
Sunnyvale, CA
Mayor Anthony Intintoli
Vallejo, CA
Mayor Morris Vance
Vista, CA
Mayor Antonio “Tony” Cartegena
Walnut, CA
Mayor Christopher Cabaldon
West Sacramento, CA
I don’t see my city’s mayor listed…He must have been on vacation when the petition came around…Sigh.
White was not listed yesterday, and I checked all 3 pages, no pin for Houston that I see…
DICK is the only Texas Mayor they have listed..
Mayors Against Illegal Guns - Coalition Members
Mayor Ward:
I am a woman who takes my Constitutional Rights seriously. NOTHING you said in your op-ed piece makes sense given the factual data that is available. If you think the readers of this blog and many others will forget the offensive way you handle opposition to your point of view, you are only kidding yourself. Many who comment here are bloggers themselves and believe in the principals this country was founded on. You have dumped all over that in my opinion and your continued ranting using insults, without facts to support your view only tightens our resolve to see to it you are exposed. We will not forget this insult to freedom and average Americans. If you think we will, dream on!
Fred why not launch a full attack and in addition to the Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star Telegram, send copies of the good Mayor’s letters to all of the local television stations.
Perhaps channel 4, 5, 8 or 11 might be interested in doing a story.
JDP
Dudley, it HAS been sent to The Dallas Morning News and the Star-Telegram, and to FOX News too… It appears that they don’t give a damn, maybe they too know what a moonbat Dick Ward is, maybe he attacked there too, who knows, but the damned MSM is passing on this attack from a loon…
When Rowlett was holding the last TEA Party on 9-12, I notified ALL of them, no one showed up…
The MSM in Dallas is as apathetic as the national media I think…
When the liberal loons go on the attack and call someone names, they are “progressive heroes”. But if any conservative ever utters one wrong word in a sentence (e.g. Don Imus, Kramer, Joe Wilson) they are dragged through the coals for months, forced to apologize profusely, and then dragged through the coals again. And again. And again.
I look at it this way – if some liberal lunatic takes exception to what I say, I must have said exactly the right thing!
Tailgunner
I wouldn’t want to ever be associated with any group that refers to the American Hunters and Shooters Association as friends. That Bloomberg heads the group only continues to make matters worse.
Something our dear friend Richard here does not seem to understand is that unlike many of the voting public, most of the readership of this blog do not have a short term memory.
The last time I visited Hurst, I was not impressed. It, like many other areas of the metroplex, are crime-ridden and filthy, and really are a smear of the face of Texas.
Calling anyone childish names simply for disagreeing is pretty low. Dear Leader has yet to actually prove that his involvement in MAIG has DONE anything, other than piss off his constituents and a number of other locals.
The mayor should, with all due respect, drop the games and explain why he should not be judged by the company he keeps.
Dear Mayor Ward:
As a long time reader of Texas Fred, I have watched (and participated) as Fred first opens a conversation with someone and then ends up defending himself from unfounded personal attacks. Time after time, the person making the personal attacks on Fred ends up looking quite the fool, as his readership is pretty wide spread, diverse, and usually very supportive of Fred’s position.
It is my understanding that when Fred asked you why you were supporting the Mayors Against Illegal Guns movement, your reply was a personal attack on Fred, his appearance, and even slanders and slurs against his background, his family, and his readers. I take offense at your unfounded attack.
I ask you, Mayor Ward, why you would belong to a group that, on the surface, would appear to be unnecessary. The only group of people I can think of that would be in SUPPORT of illegal guns would be criminals themselves. Perhaps, instead of increasing the level of legislation and adding more rules and regulations to an industry that is already heavily regulated, the politicians and law makers should encourage the law enforcement branches of the various levels of government to enforce the rules and regulations already in effect. Perhaps those in charge of enforcing laws (which, in most cases, includes the mayor) should be concentrating on detaining, prosecuting, and incarcerating those most likely to be involved with illegal weapons - that is, the criminal element present in each and every town in the US. Once the criminals figure out that they are going to be held accountable for their actions, their criminal actions will stop, one way or the other.
Personally attacking someone who asks you to explain your stance is not a very wise action, sir. Especially not for a politician. Claiming that the person asking you the question is only motivated by a third party is disingenuous at best. Assuming that Fred is incapable or unwilling to research items of interest before asking those involved why they are involved.
At the very least, I believe that you owe Texas Fred, his family, his readers, and his associates an intense, public, heartfelt, sincere and contrite apology for the juvenile response to his question.
Sincerely,
Cary Cartter
In GOD We Trust
http://cartter.net
Texas Gun Nut, about 20 years ago, we lived in Hurst, it was nothing to brag on even then…
Looks like it may have gone even further down hill given they have a gun grabbing libber of a Mayor…
Hunting and shooting have nothing to do with the Second Amendment of the Constitution. What does have to do with the Second Amendment is the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. This was to allow the people to defend themselves from evildoers, protect their states, and defend against a Federal Government which grew too powerful and started trampling the states and people. When someone says, “I’m a hunter and sportsman”, you’ve got to watch for their intentions.
If you ever perchased a firearm at a gun show in Texas you would know that you fill out the same form and the same background checks apply as when the purchase is made at a gun shop or sporting goods store. Suggest Mayor Ward actually attend a gun show and see for himself. Would still like to know how many illegals reside in Hurst?
His cronies traveled across the country making or attempting to make straw purchases. There is even a youtube online about that now. Go figure!
Great bunch of people you hang out with Mister Mayor…
Patrick, I saw some of that video on FOX News a while ago…
I have to say, anyone doing what some of those gun sellers did needs to be shot… But, I STILL insist, gun shows, MAIG’s biggest point, is NOT where the bad guys get their guns…
On Wed, Oct 7, 2009 at 14:42, Richard Ward wrote:
Where are you from, Gary?
Dick
—- Original Message —-
From: Cary Cartter
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 12:03 PM
Subject: MAIG
Dear Mayor Ward:
(original e-mail is above; truncated here to pass on my reply to his “answer”)
Mayor Ward:
Where I am from is not germane to this conversation; however, suffice it to say that I am a very proud American citizen and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Your inability to give a straight answer is troubling.
And my name is Cary, not Gary.
One more time, Mayor Ward - why do you feel it is necessary to belong to an organization that is illogical in it’s foundation? If you feel it is not illogical, please tell me how many people YOU know who are FOR illegal guns.
Thank you.
Cary Cartter
In GOD We Trust
http://cartter.net
Where are we ALL from?
Sounds like a Carl Sagan or an OLD hippie thing…
All one has to do is open their heart and ears to the testimony of Suzanna Gratia-Hupp about losing her parents at Luby’s Cafeteria and listening to how she ends her testimony to fully understand the importance of our 2nd Amendment rights. This woman gave me chills and tears at the same time and I salute her.
[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=-4069761537893819675&hl]
I really don’t think my readers will forget this either Dick. I may make you a regular part of my blog.
LOL!
And good.
This so-called public servant has forgotten his oath of office.