INDIANAPOLIS--Protesters were few and far between Friday morning during the NRA Convention, but one of the groups upset with the NRA was actually another gun group—the American Firearms Coalition (AFC).
“The American Firearms Coalition was started because the NRA is caving on so many fronts when it comes to gun rights. They are pushing red flag gun control,” said Chris Dorr, Director of the Ohio Gun Owners. He was in Indianapolis on behalf of the (AFC).
A red flag law is a gun violence prevention law that permits police or family members to petition a state court to order the temporary removal of guns from a person who may present a danger to others or themselves.
You may be wondering what the difference is between the NRA and the AFC.
“The difference is they’re swamp monsters and we’re grassroots people from across the country,” said Patrick Parsons, Executive Director of the Georgia Gun Owners. He was also in Indianapolis on behalf of the AFC.
Parsons says he was inspired to join the coalition because of the red flag legislation.
“Red flags are the elimination of due process when dealing with your second amendment rights. No trial. No jury. No conviction. No charges. They just knock on the door and say, ‘Sir or M’am hand over your firearms.’ That’s not the American way. That’s what we’re opposing,” Parsons said.
Dorr agreed.
“Gun owners all know that about red flags. They know that it will be used against them in divorce court, child custody court, and it’s being used against our veterans right now,” Dorr said.
The coalition says over 265,000 veterans have already lost their gun rights because of it.
Parsons and other members of the coalition specifically named Wayne LaPierre, CEO of the NRA, and Chris Cox. Cox is the chief lobbyist and principal political strategist for the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA), the lobbying arm of the NRA. They say Cox and LaPierre are pushing red flag gun control.
“Wayne LaPierre has been doing this since 1991. Somewhere along the way, his paycheck became too important to him and he sold out. Instead of representing his membership to the political class in D.C., he ended up representing the D.C. class back to his membership. Now here we are, grassroots gun owners, being forced to choke on these gun control bills. We think it’s absolutely ludicrous,” Dorr said.
What They’d Like to See Happen Next
Ryan Marlow is another member of the coalition. He said he would like to see lawmakers lift any infringements that threaten people’s second amendment rights.
With an increase of school shootings in America, Marlow was asked about concerned parents wanting to see gun control. For that, he blames the NRA.
“The idea of gun free zones was pushed by the NRA. So it’s now a policy in our schools, which has opened up a shooting gallery across the nation,” Marlow said.
He also says teachers need to be armed.
“Seconds count. So I believe in arming teachers and staff that are qualified to be on point and to defend our children,” Marlow said.
(PHOTO: John Herrick/WIBC)
Audio titled Interviews With The American Firearms Coalition by 93WIBC
