Gun control group brings message to NYU

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Gun control group brings message to NYU - Washington Square News NEW YORK -- A national student organization in favor of gun control, First Monday, brought its message to New York University Monday afternoon with a film screening and discussion forum. Billed as an opportunity for student activists to "force the gun industry to take responsibility for its deadly products," the rally was originally scheduled for Oct. 1. While over 100 other First Monday rallies took place as scheduled on campuses across the country, the NYU event was delayed because of "special circumstances in New York," First Monday Director Daniel F. Levin said. Levin said that while there is little that can be done about the anthrax cases in the city and the attacks on Afghanistan, "We can do something positive about an industry that we believe has been getting away with murder." The event featured a screening of the anti-National Rifle Association (NRA) film "Deadly Business," which addresses the NRA's marketing strategies, and a question-and-answer session with Dan Feldman, assistant deputy attorney general for Policy and Program Development for the State of New York. The film, which was shown at all other First Monday events nationwide, featured Democratic New York Representative Carolyn McCarthy and Democratic Illinois Sen. Richard Durbin. The film is peppered with headlines of domestic deaths caused by guns, as well as comparisons between the marketing schemes of gun and tobacco manufacturers. A Colt ad in a women's magazine stated that guns are as important to safety as fire extinguishers, while a Baretta ad, depicting a gun and bullet sitting on a nightstand, referred to "Homeowner's Insurance." Feldman spoke at length about the difficulties associated with gun control, namely the NRA's influence on elected officials. While surveys show that the NRA's membership is generally more reasonable and moderate than its leadership, such as actor Charlton Heston, the association relies heavily on gun industry financing and must apply pressure on politicians in order to keep its industry support, Feldman said. In addition, "kernels of truth," as Feldman called them, have led the far right to believe that the elimination of handguns would result in government oppression. Student support for gun control is critical to breaking down the relationship between the NRA and the gun industry, Feldman said. "A student movement can drive a wedge between NRA membership and the gun industry, but only if [the students] spread this issue to parts outside New York. Here is not where the problem is." This was the first event organized by the First Monday Campaign at NYU. Sponsored nationally by the Alliance for Justice, which produced the film, and Physicians for Social Responsibility, First Monday has garnered support from the National Organization for Women (NOW), Amnesty International, which sponsored the event, the Campus Democrats and the Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life, which provided First Monday with meeting space and financial support. NOW has expressed interest in planning a joint event with First Monday, and the Campus Democrats have already invited First Monday to a debate this Thursday with the College Republicans. Levin said he hopes to receive similar support from other student organizations at NYU. One of his goals this year is to organize a boycott of handgun and ammunition stores. "This is just a kickoff event for the coalition," Levin said. The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have also presented new issues for First Monday, partially because gun sales sky-rocketed since the attacks, Levin said. While Feldman did not cite any statistics, he said that the attacks have only served to "complicate" matters. Stacey Schesser, an Alliance for Justice member, said she was pleased with the event. "It's great that students can get behind such a powerful issue," she said. However Mark Smith, an associate with the law firm of Kasowitz, Benson, Torres and Friedman, said there is another side to the story. Smith, a graduate of the NYU School of Law and a professor of gun law at the University of Kansas, said New Yorkers "don't understand the benefits of having a gun for the protection and safety of your loved ones." Smith, an NRA member, called Levin to ask if he could speak at Monday's event. When told that the event was an anti-gun rally, Smith said he decided it was best for him not to speak. However, Levin invited him to attend and both expressed interest in a future panel debate. Both Levin and Smith said there is no ill will between them. Louis Wein, a graduate of the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, arrived near the end to offer "the alternative opinion." Wein, representing the New York Rifle and Pistol Association, told the crowd, "We have a constitution that gives us the right to bear arms." Until the Second Amendment is changed, Wein said, there can be no gun control litigation. Wein, said he would participate in a panel debate at some point. Even though he disagrees with Smith and Wein, Levin said they should be given a chance to speak. "While we feel strongly about this issue, it's important to note that there's another side to the story," Levin said.