Dorner’s other high-value target: The NRA

ONE OF the so-far under-examined aspects of the Christopher Dorner manifesto and the killings it rationalizes will shortly give the current gun-law reform debate a whole new twist. Among the hundred rhetorical targets of opportunity Dorner exploits in his letter of intent, there’s also a shot at an unlikely high-value target: The National Rifle Association.

In the scattershot statement he released online, Dorner calls for a new assault weapons ban (acronymed as “AWB”) and explodes the organization’s laissez-faire reasoning in ways that NRA director Wayne LaPierre and his supporters should find concerning. Excerpts follow:

“If you had a well regulated AWB, this would not happen. The time is now to reinstitute a ban that will save lives. Why does any sportsman need a 30 round magazine for hunting? Why does anyone need a suppressor? Why does anyone need a AR-15 rifle? This is the same small arms weapons system utilized in eradicating Al Qaeda, Taliban, and every enemy combatant since the Vietnam war.

“Don't give me that crap that its not a select fire or full auto rifle like the DoD uses. That's bullshit because troops who carry the M-4/M-16 weapon system for combat ops outside the wire rarely utilize the select fire function when in contact with enemy combatants. The use of select fire probably isn't even 1% in combat. So in essence, the AR-15 semiautomatic rifle is the same as the M-4/M-16.

“These do not need to be purchased as easily as walking to your local Walmart or striking the enter key on your keyboard to ‘add to cart.’ All the firearms utilized in my activities are registered to me and were legally purchased at gun stores and private party transfers. All concealable weapons (pistols) were also legally register[ed] in my name at police stations or FFL's [federal firearms license].

“Unfortunately, are you aware that I obtained class III weapons (suppressors) without a background check thru NICS or DROS completely LEGALLY several times? I was able to use a trust account that I created on quicken will maker and a $10 notary charge at a mailbox etc. to obtain them legally. ... I can buy any firearm I want, but should I be able to purchase these class III weapons (SBR's and suppressors) without a background check and just a $10 notary signature on a quicken will maker program? The answer is NO. I'm not even a resident of the state I purchased them in.”

Dorner calls out a particular Las Vegas gun store: “Lock n Load just wanted money so they allow you to purchase class III weapons with just a notarized trust, military ID. Shame on you, Lock n Load. NFA and ATF need new laws and policies that do not allow loopholes such as this.

“In the end, I hope that you will realize that the small arms I utilize should not be accessed with the ease that I obtained them. Who in there right mind needs a fucking silencer!!! who needs a freaking SBR AR-15? No one.

“No more Virginia Tech, Columbine HS, Wisconsin temple, Aurora theatre, Portland malls, Tucson rally, Newtown Sandy Hook. Whether by executive order or thru a bi-partisan congress an assault weapons ban needs to be re-instituted. Period!!!”

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Image credits: NRA logo: © 2013 National Rifle Association. Dorner: LAPD. Lock N Load logo: © 2013 Lock N Load Gun Store.