NRA tactics erode post-Newtown support for gun-control measures

[Paul E Ester]

Sen Mark Begich declared a “sea change” in the politics of gun control immediately after the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., telling his local newspaper that he would not hesitate to buck the powerful National Rifle Association.

But in the months since, the gun rights group has made itself impossible for the Alaska Democrat, and many other lawmakers, to resist.

Begich has signed on as a co-sponsor of a bill, drafted in consultation with the NRA, that would change the way mental illness is reported in the background check system — a measure that critics say could make firearms more easily available to the mentally ill.

Over the past two weeks, while Congress has been in recess, Begich said he was approached repeatedly by constituents who echoed NRA views, telling him not to, in his words, “mess with our gun rights” or “ban anything.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/nra-tactics-erode-post-newtown-support-for-gun-control-measures/2013/04/05/fa932046-9d52-11e2-a941-a19bce7af755_story.html

[Robb]

1. But we are winning state by state, just like the fight for marriage equality

NRA knows they can't win on the grass roots level, so they want to make the federal fight the only game in town.

They'll lose, because many who might otherwise support them are in favor of states' rights.

Like most right wing movements, they are their own worst enemy.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. In some states, not so much in others.

Clearly there is an increasing gap between the states. Already NY blames southern states for illegal cigs, guns, large sugared sodas, and anything else they can. Expect to see that go up.

If it were to Federalize (under the commerce clause), Both NY and Wyoming would scream at the changes.

[Lurks Often]

3. You've won legislatively in a couple of very blue states,

and may pick some more legislative victories in very blue states like CA, RI, NJ & MA. Whether those victories will hold up in court remains to be seen.

You have lost in Illinois, which is about to legalize CCW.

When everything shakes out, I expect that the very blue states I mentioned above and maybe a couple of more will have passed restrictions on gun rights. In the meanwhile the majority of the rest of the country will pass legislation that strengthens gun rights.

[applegrove]

4. The NRA made an 'example' of Newtown by going there with their propaganda.