Gun Laws & Legislation

Eric Holder Calls For Police To Support Stricter Gun Control

Guns and Gear Contributor
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By Larry Keane, National Shooting Sports Foundation

In response to the recent tragedies in Dallas and Baton Rouge, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder called on law enforcement officers to join in advocating for stricter gun control laws.

“It is far past time for those of you in law enforcement to join with other responsible Americans and take on the mindless, industry-driven gun lobby that values an illogical individual ability to possess military-grade weapons more than the lives of the American people, in general, and our law enforcement personnel, in particular. Speak up,”said Holder.

This comes as no surprise from Holder, whose resume includes anti-gun speeches going back to 1995, when he called for “brainwashing” American youth against gun ownership.  

So all that’s old is new again.  The political rhetoric continues, and anti-gun Democratic politicians once again miss the mark, calling on law enforcement to join a stricter gun control movement without understanding the facts. A recent survey by the National Association of Chiefs of Police shows that 87.9 percent of police officers nationwide answered “Yes” when asked “Should any vetted citizen be able to purchase a firearm for sport or self-defense?” Another 76% answered “Yes” when given the question, “Can qualified, law-abiding armed citizens help law enforcement reduce violent criminal activity?”

In response to the same tragedies, local law enforcement offered far greater insight than Holder.  East Baton Rouge’s Sherriff Gautreaux said it best, “To me this is not so much about gun control as it is about what’s in men’s hearts. And until we come together as a nation, as a people, to heal as a people, if we don’t do that and this madness continues, we will surely perish as a people.”

Holder’s call for stricter gun laws is not the answer and law enforcement agrees. Holder and other anti-gun politicians should drop their political act and join forces with law enforcement and the gun industry to make a collective effort in working towards keeping guns out of the hands of criminals.