John Glenn

[Blaine]

RIP
“I guess the question I'm asked the most often is: "When you were sitting in that capsule listening to the count-down, how did you feel?" Well, the answer to that one is easy. I felt exactly how you would feel if you were getting ready to launch and knew you were sitting on top of two million parts -- all built by the lowest bidder on a government contract.”
― John Glenn

I was 12 when he made history. God Bless him....It was a wonderful time to be American. I'm completely shocked, and embarrassed that we have to bum rides to space. Thanks, Barry.

[Pitchy]

He loved life, RIP too the old sky pilot.

[Griff]

He loved life, RIP too the old sky pilot.

+1.

[6pt-sika]

RIP !

[stretch]

Yep - rest in peace, John Glenn!

A great American.

-Stretch

[jdad]

A lot of you guys are older than I am, but seem to forget he was one of the major parties involved in the 1968 GCA.

A true hero in space and RIP, but he wanted to take your 2A rights away.

In the period immediately following the assassination of Senator Robert Kennedy a special national committee was established for the purpose of stampeding gun registration through the Congress. The special group was the action-arm of the National Council for a Responsible Firearms Policy, previously mentioned. It was headed by former astronaut John Glenn, who claimed to have been a personal friend of Senator Robert Kennedy. The Chicago's American of June 20, 1968, reported on the meeting which had been held in the office of the U.S. Attorney General resulting in the formation of the group:

"Officials of the N.C.R.F.P. and representatives of 38 organizations met this week with United States Atty. Gen. Ramsey Clark in Washington to discuss firearms control. After the meeting, Clark announced that a committee of the council had been formed to enlist support from the public and organizations thruout the country. The committee is known as the emergency committee for gun control of the National Council for a Responsible Firearms Policy."

Moving rapidly, John Glenn, Chairman of the Emergency Committee for Gun Control of the National Council for a Responsible Firearms Policy, called a press conference at which he demanded registration of all guns and the licensing of all those who owned or used guns, in addition to a complete ban on the interstate sale and shipment of firearms to private citizens.

Before long the John Glenn Emergency Committee for Gun Control was generating advertisements promoting gun registration, issuing press releases designed to enlist public support for the proposals of the Emergency Committee, soliciting broadcasting stations around the country to make spot announcements and editorials favoring gun registration, and arranging for speeches and public appearances on behalf of gun prohibition—deceptively called gun control.

Another product of the Emergency Committee for Gun Control was a full page magazine ad which included a convenient clip-out coupon to be mailed by readers to their Senators or Congressman, plus a solicitation of cash contributions to help the program. The ad opened in this compelling manner:

"You're a good citizen. You don't break laws. You're responsible about guns. You like to hunt. To target shoot. No one has the right to take your gun away. We agree. And no one wants to. What we do want to do is take guns away from convicted murderers, thieves, psychopaths, delinquents, alcoholics and drug addicts." (New Chronicle Pub. Co., Los Angeles, Cal.)

In the meanwhile, the House voted down gun registration on July 19, 1968, and on July 23, 1968, it rejected by a vote of 179 to 84 an amendment which would have required licensing of gun owners. The next day, July 24, 1968, the House passed the bill prohibiting interstate mail order sales of rifles and shotguns by a vote of 304 to 118. This last bill was also accompanied by three very important amendments. One amendment which passed by 218 votes to 205 exempted rifle and shotgun ammunition from the bill, thus making its ban applicable only to pistol and revolver ammunition. Another amendment provided for a special license for gun collectors so that they might have access to out of state sources and markets for collector-type firearms. The preceding amendment was affirmed by a 225 to 198 vote and it exempted shipments of firearms and ammunition by the Secretary of the Army to organizations, institutions, or individuals qualified to receive them pursuant to the various programs of the Civilian Marksmanship Program of the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice.

Immediately the amendment exempting the Civilian Marksmanship Program was attacked. John Glenn issued a statement on behalf of the Emergency Committee for Gun Control demanding the elimination of the amendment, reportedly asserting:

"It is a curious result of congressional inadvertance and the National Rifle Association contempt for our process of government." (Pensacola, Fla., News: July 29, 1968)

[Chuck 100 yd]

A hero in space, a dud in Congress. But I do wish him happy trails.