Seattlepi
“The NRA was started, 1871, right here in New York state. It was started by some Yankee generals who didn’t like the way my southern boys had the ability to shoot in what we call the ‘War of Northern Aggression.’ Now y’all call it the Civil War, but we call it the War of Northern Aggression down South.
“But that was the very reason that they started the National Rifle Association — it was to teach and train the civilian in the use of the standard military firearm. And I am one who still feels very strongly that that is one of our most greatest charges that we can have today, is to train the civilian in the use of the standard military firearm, so that when they have to fight for their country they’re read to do it.
“Also, when they’re ready to fight tyranny, they’re ready to do it. Also, when they’re ready to fight tyranny, they have the wherewithal and the weapons to do it.”
It's laughable that the self-aggrandizing huckster thinks his "southern boys" were so much better marksmen than their northern counterparts that the NRA was formed as a result. According to the NRA themselves, the reason was slightly different.
Dismayed by the lack of marksmanship shown by their troops, Union veterans Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate formed the National Rifle Association in 1871.
No mention of the superior Rebel marksmanship. I would imagine the disheartened troops on both side of the Civil War were equally poor marksmen.
Then, somehow, the concern for military troops' ability to shoot became a civilian endeavor. How did that happen? And as if that's not enough, it then became all about tyranny.
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
