By Ashley Young
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has been formally named as a “domestic terrorist organisation” by San Francisco in a reckless move.
The city government’s approval of the declaration put forward by Supervisor Catherine Stefani is a blow to the organisation, but misses the point on what a terrorist organisation really is. A terrorist organisation uses violence and intimidation to achieve their objectives, which are generally political in nature. The declaration which states that the lobby group has an intention to mislead members of public about the dangers of gun violence is not in line with the activities of a terrorist organisation.
Terrorism is defined in Title 22 chapter 38 of the U.S code as “premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents”. It is more generally understood as being the use of violence or of the threat of violence in the pursuit of political, religious, ideological or social objectives.
The declaration accusation of the association of being terrorists because some terrorists have benefited from its existence and influence in being armed is reckless and unfair. It does not make the organisation a terrorist one unless its goal was to achieve terrorism or its effects. The declaration reads:
“The National Rifle Association through its advocacy has armed those individuals who would and have committed acts of terrorism.”
“All countries have violent and hateful people, but only in America do we give them ready access to assault weapons and large-capacity magazines thanks, in large part, to the National Rifle Association’s influence.”
Her bill also said that the city should take reasonable steps to limit those who do business “with the City and County of San Francisco from doing business with this domestic terrorist organisation”.
The gun lobby has been quick to respond, calling the move “reckless”.
“We remain undeterred,” the NRA tweeted, “guided by our values and belief in those who want to find real solutions to violence.”
The declaration was introduced in response to the recent mass shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, an hour from the city. Gun violence in America has long been out of control and in need of government intervention.