Where is the NRA on the Burress case?

[Ray Kessler]

There have been thousands of people who have been arrested for illegal
carrying in NYC.  The NRA never showed much interest in those cases.  You
start litigating against the most draconian laws and try to find appealing
plaintiffs.  Handgun bans like DC & Chi are the obvious targets.  Burress is
not an attractive client.  He has a long reputation in the NFL as a
"problem" child.  He shot himself accidentally.  Some innocent person could
also have been injured.   The fact that the NRA has not jumped on the
Burress bandwagon is thus not surprising.  However, those who racism
everywhere will have their own theories.

Ray Kessler

Prof. of Criminal Justice

Sul Ross State University

Alpine, TX 

 

From: conlawprof-bounces at lists.ucla.edu
[mailto:conlawprof-bounces at lists.ucla.edu] On Behalf Of Michael Zimmer
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 10:48 AM
Cc: conlawprof-bounces; conlawprof at lists.ucla.edu
Subject: Where is the NRA on the Burress case?

 


It may just be my lack of attention but I have yet to see anything from the
NRA or the libertarian gun rights advocates coming to the aid of Plaxico
Burress to defend his possession of a revolver, even if he was inept enough
to shoot himself.  If I am right, why is that so?  Reva Siegel does a great
job tracing the guns right movement to the 60's and the Republican efforts
to develop wedge politics around guns, but also in response to the civil
rights movement and the chaos of the period.  Is the failure to come forth
for Burress because he is black?  Otherwise he seems a pretty good candidate
for their cause since professional athletes have been targets of armed
robberies. 

Michael J. Zimmer
Professor of Law Emeritus
Seton Hall Law School

Professor of Law
Loyola University Chicago
25 East Pearson Street
Chicago, IL 60611
312.915.7919

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