The National Rifle Association is urging the Bush administration to withdraw its support of a bill that would prohibit suspected terrorists from buying firearms.

NRA: Don’t ban gun sales to terror suspects – U.S. Security – MSNBC.com

This could be my favorite news story of the week. It makes me wonder why the NRA is still so influential. How can a group with this little political savvy continue to wield so much power?

I’m loath to admit it, but their argument does make a bit of logical sense. Suspects are just that: suspects. By definition, they are people who’s guilt is not proven. If you believe the second amendment grants an individual right to bear arms (rather than a group right, related to repelling the tyranny of unjust rule or invasion), then it’s a logical extension to uphold such rights to legal residents whose presumption of innocence remains unchallenged.

Personally, I think this is all the more reason to repeal the second amendment. In my humble opinion, placing an individual right to bear arms in the same league with the freedoms of religion, speech, association, et al – is ludicrous. I’m all for upholding basic rights to individuals SUSPECTED of committing crimes. The irony here is that there are undoubtedly numerous members among the NRA ranks who have no problem with the suspension of other basic legal rights to terror suspects (like habeas corpus) – but taking away their guns… well that’s going too far!

Let us eat lead.