NRA: Gun laws ring hollow with voters

Wayne LaPierre | USATODAY

What does USA TODAY's Editorial Board have in common with the majority of Americans?

Not much, apparently, when it comes to effective public policy and sound politics.

This newspaper bemoans a lack of debate over firearms ownership in this election, ignoring a fact that even most politicians now recognize. The vast majority of Americans treasure their constitutional freedom, and they don't trust politicians who meddle with it.

Most candidates at the national, state and local levels have declined to propose new anti-gun laws for one simple reason: They ring hollow with the American voter.

Americans love their Second Amendment freedom! In our country today, more people own more firearms and shoot more than ever before. They have no interest in more political schemes that limit their access to that freedom while doing nothing to affect violent criminals.

According to researchers at Syracuse University, federal prosecutions of gun crimes have dropped to their lowest level since 2001. Out of 90 federal jurisdictions, President Obama's home district of Chicago ranks 89th in federal firearms prosecutions, almost dead last in the nation.

And USA TODAY wants to debate another law?

The American people know the difference between good crime policies … and failed, bad politics.

Most politicians have learned that difference, too. They know that if they stick their necks out to attack Second Amendment freedom, it can cost them dearly at the polls … and they know that the old, failed anti-freedom policies of the past just don't work.

America's 100 million gun owners stand for what works: tough prosecution against violent criminals and unfettered freedom for law-abiding Americans. Anything less falls flat with the American people.

Wayne LaPierre is executive vice president and chief executive officer of the National Rifle Association of America.