How Guns Were Really Used in the Aftermath of Katrina

The Nation magazine has just published a groundbreaking and important investigation documenting how in the wake of Hurricane Katrina white vigilantes stockpiled handguns, assault weapons, and other firearms and used them to terrorize and even kill African American residents of New Orleans.

This reality stands in stark contrast to the claims of the National Rifle Association and other representatives of the gun lobby who portrayed guns themselves and gun rights as the true victims of Katrina. In the hurricane�s wake, the NRA launched a major offensive with the slogan �Remember New Orleans.� The NRA pressured public officials to sign a pledge that �you will never forcibly confiscate firearms from law abiding citizens� and coerced Congress to pass a restriction on the expenditure of any federal funds by law enforcement to confiscate firearms during natural disasters. The January 2009 issue of the NRA�s America�s 1st Freedom magazine reports the settlement of the NRA�s lawsuit against New Orleans� mayor and police chief to force the return of guns confiscated by city officials in response to Katrina.

All contents � 2006 Violence Policy Center