Interview With Larry Pratt, Blaine Rummel
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Even before Heston, the NRA was one of the most powerful lobbies in Washington. So where does the debate on guns in America now stand and where does it go? For a status report, we're joined by two guests: Larry Pratt, executive director of Gun Owners of America, and Blaine Rummel is with the Coalition to stop Gun Violence. They both just us from Washington. Thanks for being with us. Larry, actually Blaine let me start off with you. Charlton Heston was a very effective president of the NRA. Are you glad he's gone?</s>BLAINE RUMMEL, COALITION TO STOP GUN VIOLENCE: Well no doubt he was an effective president. I don't think anybody would argue with that. Are we glad that he's gone? I guess so, we'd have to admit that we are. I mean, you know, he was very effective. But more importantly, this is a chance for the NRA to now change, change internally, contribute more positively to the public debate on guns. You know, we're in an age of terrorism right now. And mainstream Americans and even mainstream NRA members don't understand why the NRA has for years opposed background checks on every gun sale, why they oppose renewing the federal ban on assault weapons that expires next year, and why they want to shield gun makers and gun dealers from legal action, even when they behave irresponsibly. So...</s>COOPER: Well, Larry, let me bring you in here. I guess mentioned terrorism. Do you think 9/11 has actually helped groups like the NRA and your own group? Do you think it sort of brought the idea of gun ownership more into people's lives?</s>LARRY PRATT, GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA: Following 9/11 and also following the Beltway sniper, a lot of people came to the conclusion correctly that the government cannot protect us. And they've acted on that belief. They've gone out and bought firearms. And that is going to contribute some to the edge that we're going to be able to bring. We've already been able to see some success in arming pilots. We're looking for more. We're seeing success in the -- limiting those frivolous lawsuits against gun makers, designed to put them out of business. And...</s>COOPER: So where are you drawing the battle lines right now? I mean, what's the top issue as far as you're concerned?</s>PRATT: Well, I think the lawsuit issue still has to clear the Senate. And then next year, we have to make sure that the ban on semi-automatic firearms is not renewed. It will take positive enactment of a new piece of legislation to do that. And even though the president says he supports that gun ban, Lord willing, we're going to be able to stop that.</s>COOPER: And Blaine, let me just bring in Blaine, Blaine, as far as you see it, where are the battle lines drawn? What are your top issues?</s>RUMMEL: I would agree with Mr. Pratt here. The top issue is this ridiculous special interest giveaway that is going to shield gun makers and dealers from legal action, even when they behave irresponsibly. You know, just a couple weeks ago, a fellow by the name by Bob Ricker (ph), who is a high ranking NRA official, blew the whistle on the gun industry's practices, and said yes, we knew for years that our distribution and marketing practices aided criminal access to guns. And what the NRA is now trying to do is shield any kind of legal action that's going to hold these dealers accountable. Now it seems to me that for an organization that prides itself on rights and on accountability, it seems very strange to me that this is their top priority, that they want to shield these kinds of people when they're actions aid gun -- aid criminal access to guns.</s>COOPER: All right, Larry, I'm going to give you the final thought tonight?</s>PRATT: Well, Mr. Ricker's (ph) been on both sides of the issue. His credibility in court is probably close to zero. And in the meantime, I think we're going to be actively engaged in pushing to make it so that if you have a concealed carry permit in one state, it will be recognized in another state. And I think that's going to contribute to increasing the comfort level for a lot of citizens. And we're going to see the continued the decline in the crime rates in our country because more and more of us are going to be able to resist criminal attack.</s>COOPER: All right, we've got...</s>RUMMEL: Anderson?</s>COOPER: ...to -- I'm sorry, we're going to leave it there.</s>RUMMEL: If more guns meant -- all right, thank you.</s>COOPER: I'm sorry. You know how it goes. Appreciate it. Charlton Heston may be gone, the debate certainly continues. We'd love to have you both on at another time. Larry Pratt and Blaine Rummel.</s>PRATT: Would love to.</s>RUMMEL: Thank you. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com