Three Madison Award Winners
The Second Amendment Foundation is proud to announce three Madison Award winners for pro-gun owner commentaries and editorials on the positives of concealed carry laws and the shamelessness of the Mayors’ lawsuit against gun manufacturers. Madison Awards are given in the spirit of James Madison, Fourth U.S. President and author of the Second Amendment.
Our first recipient of the Madison Award goes to Jill "J.R." Labbe, the senior editorial writer and columnist for the Forth Worth Star-Telegram of Texas. Her December 31st column, "When the bad aren’t preying on the good," highlights why concealed carry laws help reduce crime.
Labbe begins by noting all the good news associated with America’s drop in violent crime. However, she points out that while everyone focuses on things like tougher penalties, community policing, aging population, etc., there is something missing.
"Conspicuously absent, however, from the tune being sung by officials trumpeting the good news is the increase in the number of states that allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed guns," writes Labbe. "It makes perfect sense that people bent on doing harm will think twice before attacking others who might be able to efficiently and effectively defend themselves."
Mrs. Labbe contrasts this phenomenon with Australia where, "The removal of personal firearms was sure-as-shooting part of the reason why the crime rate in Australia is on the rise…. In an Oct. 28th story in the ‘Sydney Morning Herald,’ it was reported that homicides were up 3.2 percent, assaults were up 8.6 percent and armed robberies were up a whopping 44 percent."
After making several more excellent points, including a reference to how founding father Thomas Jefferson believed in self-protection through firearms, Mrs. Labbe concludes by stating what many gun owners feel, "The next time a government report is issued citing reasons for a downturn in crime, remember this basic, ages-old reality: Bad people are reluctant to prey on good people who are likely to strike back."
The Reporter has received no less than three pro-gun editorials from Jill "J.R." Labbe over the past year. It was tough to award a particular column. Mrs. Labbe uses common sense, the constitution, and her experiences as a police officer’s spouse to support our rights many times a year.
Our second Madison Award goes to The Wall Street Journal, for their November 16th editorial entitled, "Courtroom Cowboys," which attacks the frivolous lawsuits filed by several cities against gun makers.
The editorial begins by bashing the ambulance-chasing style of the lawsuits. "Lawyers and politicians are launching their next money grab masquerading as the solution to a ‘social problem.’"
The Journal then points out that the case is rather weak and is not about claiming that the guns are not well made. "In essence, the city blames 15 gunmakers and distributors for failing to make guns ‘smarter.’…Never mind that effective versions of safe-gun technology have yet to come off the drawing board."
Point after point, the paper properly attacks both the reasons for the lawsuits and its likelihood for success. And even better, the paper hopes that the lawsuit backfires on the politicians, as it did for several politicians championing the tobacco lawsuits.
The Wall Street Journal concludes with a great parting shot, "Trying to sidestep the democratic process and manipulate the courts to fleece an unpopular constituency is no solution to the crime and poverty problems of cities like New Orleans. The mayors may be surprised to discover their lawsuits aren’t much of a political winner either."Our third and final Madison Award goes to the Orange County Register for their November 13th editorial entitled, "Chicago fires an assault weapon: The cities lawsuit against gun manufacturers takes dead aim at constitutional processes." This is another excellent editorial blasting the mayors for their lawsuits against gun makers. What makes this editorial unusual is that it interviews and quotes many experts in the piece instead of just rehashing their words.
The editorial begins by stating, "We knew it wouldn’t be long before politicians, smelling victory in state and federal lawsuits against tobacco manufacturers, would target other legal products." The Register knows that it is money that is driving the attempt to turn gun makers into the "nation’s next villain du jour."
A detailed account of the Chicago lawsuit is disclosed, including the absurd amount demanded, $433 million in U.S. currency. The whole industry is accused of deliberately creating too many guns in order to give them criminals.
Renowned pro-gun author David Kopel is quoted as calling the lawsuit "tremendously malicious" and for describing all the gun laws already in place in Illinois to prevent selling to criminals. And if any gun stores sold to criminals, then hold them accountable, not haul an entire lawful industry to court for legal commerce.
Northwestern University Law School Professor Daniel Polsby, a member of SAF’s steering committee against the city suits, states that "Mayor Daley is in cahoots with other cities, many of which are planning similar lawsuits, and gun-control groups to drive many gun manufacturers and distributors out of business."
The editorial continues by allowing University of Chicago Professor John Lott to contrast tobacco and guns. "As troubling as government lawsuits against tobacco companies may be, these legal attacks on the firearms industry are even worse. That’s because tobacco has few positive attributes, whereas firearms have many important benefits."
The ending of the editorial is troubling for both manufacturers and consumers of other legal products such as cars, beef, beer, etc. "The Chicago lawsuit is a cynical attempt to achieve through the tort system what gun-control advocates could not achieve through state legislatures. We’re left to wonder what industry will be targeted next."
If you locate an editorial or opinion article worthy of a Madison Award, please submit it to: Dave LaCourse · James Madison Awards Chairman · Second Amendment Foundation · 12500 NE 10th Place · Bellevue, WA 98005 or FAX it to his attention at (425) 451-3959.