Lou Dobbs is Lying to America Again!!!

Lou Dobbs is at it again. First he egged on the "Birther" movement, questioning the citizenship status of Barack Obama, even though that issue has been settled. Now he is falsely claiming that Barack Obama wants to take away everyone's guns. Once again Lou, you conveniently ingnore the facts that prove your assertion false to scare people and egg on the lunatic fringe in this country with baseless accusations.

The treaty in question, CIFTA is aimed at stemming the tide of weapons and explosives from reaching the hands of criminals and drug cartels in the Americas. Many of the weapons used to kill judges, policemen and innocent people in battles to control the drug trade are purchased legally and then shipped on and disappear into the black market. In the text of the treaty, there is no mention at all of a database or registry of gun owners. Article VI states that all firearms bear marks to identify the country of origin, place and time of manufacture and a serial number to identify a weapon. Article IX states that each party to the treaty verify that shipments of arms and ammunition are undertaken by dealers, arms makers and intermediaries who are properly accredited and licensed in their country and that said transactions are being made between lawful entities. Finally Article XIII does provide for the exchange of information. The information is limited to, routes used by criminal organizations in the transport of illegal arms, the names of suspected arms traffickers and their methods of concealing arms shipments. The names of persons engaged and liscenced in the manufacture, transport, distrobutions and sales of arms and ammuntion so that each state can perform its due dilligence under its responsibilities under Article IX. No where in the text of this treaty does it state that private gun ownership will be infringed upon in any way.

In the Case styled DC v. Heller, Justice Antonin Scalia stated:

Like most rights, the right secured by the Second
Amendment is not unlimited. From Blackstone through
the 19th-century cases, commentators and courts routinely
explained that the right was not a right to keep and
carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever
and for whatever purpose.

The only effect on our current gun laws that ratification of CIFTA would have would be the closure of the gun show loopholes, requiring all firearms sales to be documented and ensure that applicable background checks are made. I can't think of anyone who would want persons with a history of domestic voilence easily purchase a handgun, unless you happen to be someone who enjoys pistol whipping your spouse/significant other and likes to have the option of showing once and for all if she really steps out of line. Nobody would oppose laws to keep felons from leagally purchasing firearms, unless you are the person who needs a good shotgun and pistol to rob the corner store and you are pressed for time.

The only thing that most gun laws seek to do is say codify responsible gun ownership. I have no problems with concealed carry except that there are a few places that they do not belong, such as taverns, and schools. Guns and alcohol don't mix well. The only caveat I would lobby for is that in addition to a training class for concealed carry that persons be required to obtain and maintain liability insurance so that any damage or injury they inflict on innocents be fairly compensated for.

Lou, the truth is the only gun law that President Obama has really mentioned is the redrafting of the ban on assault weapons. This is a measure of law, that if enacted properly and not allowed to be weakened by NRA is something that is supported by law enforcement organizations, the American people and just makes plain sense. The 1994 ban was allowed to expire despite the protest from those who put thier lives on the line to protect us and our neighbors. There is no sporting purpose for such weapons, since most states ban the large magazines for hunting and there is really no international sport shooting comptition using such weapons.

Lou, just because CNN gives you a time slot does not mean that you can say whatever you want. Your profession calls for integrity in the manner of how things are reported. Edward Murrow famously said, "Just because your voice reaches from coast to coat does not mean that you are any wiser than when your voiced reached the end of the bar."

Lou report the facts for a change, you might see your dismal ratings improve.