Larry Ward...... Is This a Joke?

Ever since the Newton, Connecticut and the shooting in Aurora, Colorado last summer the government has made plans to pass legislation on "Gun Control" and the NRA, many gun activist are speaking their minds. In a nutshell they are pissed. Did you see that guy snap on the Piers Morgan Show?








I just learned something new, there is a " National Gun Appreciation Day" anyway Larry Ward,chairman of National Gun Appreciation Day made an appearance on CNN to defend the nationwide gun rally, which is scheduled for Jan. 19 just two days before Martin Luther King Jr,. Talking Points.






Ward believes that if African Americans had been given "the right to bear arms" slavery would have never existed. African Americans were taken from their homeland and held captive they were stripped of the culture, history, religion, and basic human rights so with that being said there is no way in the world they have been able to own a gun at this time. Slave owners did not want their slaves to become educated it was against the law for them to read and write.





Ward insists that Gun Appreciation Day, which calls on gun activists across the nation to rally in support of the right to bear arms and against President Barack Obama's “post-Sandy Hook assault on gun rights," actually "honors the legacy of Dr. King."





We are looking for a peaceful protest," Ward said. Continuing, "I think Martin Luther King, Jr. would agree with me if he were alive today that if African Americans had been given the right to keep and bear arms from day one of the country’s founding, perhaps slavery might not have been a chapter in our history."





Maria Roach, founder of United for Change USA, an organization dedicated to prison reform and gun violence prevention, called Ward's comments simply "ridiculous."
"Slavery means that you are a possession," she said on CNN. "Slaves were a possession, just like a gun." She continued to criticize Ward for celebrating weapons just two days before celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., who was assassinated in 1968 by a single shot.






Maria Roach made a historical connection to Ward's comment: Ward also neglects to mention that in fact there were many armed uprisings by slaves, as early as 1526. Armed revolts almost always failed, and often led to retribution by the slave owners, who had the justice system on their side. Most famously, Nat Turner led a rebellion that resulted in 60 white deaths and 100 black deaths. The state later executed 56 blacks accused of being involved in the insurrection, and white mobs beat and killed at least 200 others in revenge.



Things to Keep in Mind: Gun Appreciation Day, backed by a coalition of conservative groups, not only coincides with MLK Day, but also President Obama's Second Inauguration. Maria Roach's organization United for Change has launched a petition to stop Gun Appreciation Day, according to ABC News. "Gun groups are planning to have a National Gun Appreciation Day on January 19th, the same weekend that Americans celebrate the life and service of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an American leader who was assassinated by a rifle's bullet," reads the petition. "This is an outrage and a slap in the face to Americans who value life and freedom!"




As of Friday, the petition had garnered more than 26,000 of the 30,000 signatures needed on SignOn.org.


Toni's Thoughts: I do not appreciate Ward's comments they  simply sound foolish but the sick part he feels justified in what he is saying and promoting. If you want to keep guns that is fine although I do not agree with how simple it is to obtain an assault rifle I also feel as though it is disrespectful to hold this Gun Appreciation Day celebration during the Inauguration and the King holiday but clearly these people are doing on purpose so the attention can be focused on them. Here is something to think about.  In Wal Mart they will not sell rap albums with lyrics that mention the word "gun" but you can purchase guns in the store. This comment is foolish leave African Americans and slavery out of your propaganda most people believe "we" African Americans are the reason behind violence in this country especially "gun violence." If you have a gun in your home to protect you family from an intruder trust me I'm okay with that. Although I will say it is scary to know that assault rifle weapons like the ones in the Newton  and Aurora shootings were so easy to purchase there is no way a police officer could have stopped them.