This Mom Is Sick & Tired of Gun Violence -- So She's Doing Something About It

[SecularMotion]

On December 14, 2012, stay-at-home mother of five from Zionsville, Indiana, Shannon Watts, took in the news of the shootings at Sandy Hook with horror. Like many mothers, she wondered what it was that she could do and ended up starting a Facebook page -- which within weeks became a movement. A former communications executive for 15 years, prior to becoming a SAHM for five, Shannon became the founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a not-for-profit organization with tens of thousands of members and chapters in every state across the country.

Now, Shannon is at the forefront of the reaction to the latest gut-churning national tragedy: the shootings at the University of Santa Barbara. She's also still grappling with raising her kids -- two step-daughters, 25 and 20; two daughters, 18 and 17; and a 13-year-old son -- in the midst of what's become a civil battle to quash senseless gun violence.

Shannon spoke with The Stir today about what drove her to start Moms Demand Action, what she tells her kids about guns, and how she has hope that the tide is turning slowly but surely ...

How you end up founding Moms Demand Action?

The day after Sandy Hook, I just was so angry and devastated and kept looking online for something like Mothers Against Drunk Driving but for gun reform and couldn't find anything. So I thought, 'What can I do? I'm a stay-at-home mom in the middle of Indiana?' I know how to start a Facebook page. So that's what I did, and one of my Facebook friends said, 'Wow, I saw another mom posted something like that. I should hook you two up.' And that sort of ignited all these other moms around the country, and they just started joining. And what was an online convo quickly became an offline movement. I had met a group of moms who called me from Silicon Valley, and several of them were lawyers, and they said, 'We had the same idea, and we want to help you.' And one of the lawyers said to take donations and move forward as an organization is to be a 501(c)(4). Within a week, we were a [not-for-profit] based in Indiana.

http://thestir.cafemom.com/teen/173080/this_mom_is_sick_tired

[Hoyt]

1. Shannon, please be careful. Too many gun fancier bullies out there that could act on their threats.

Who can forget these sickos piling out of their cars in the parking lot of a restaurant after they heard four unarmed ladies in Moms Demand Action were meeting inside? These are sick people.





Armed bigots at similar "rally."

?w=1000&h=562

[hlthe2b]

2. These cowardly bullies have already threatened her life (and others), spit on them, stuck guns

in their face, threatened to rape and disembowel... Unbelievably ugly (mostly) men in this extremist pro-gun movement.

I will be behind this woman's efforts in every way. When I was a child, I'd never have guessed Mothers Against Drunk Driving could have effecected all the change that they have. My guess (and hope) is that I live long enough for this group to likewise bring some common sense to gun issues.

[friendly_iconoclast]

41. Thing is, MADD doesn't blame sober drivers for the actions of drunk ones...

[hlthe2b]

57. If they are enabling and advocating for the drunk drivers, they surely DO

[friendly_iconoclast]

73. OCT has been pretty thoroughly (and rightfully) slammed by everyone at DU

And MADD has devolved into neo-Prohibitionism

http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/madds-new-focus-prohibition/Content?oid=2128464

MADD’s new focus: Prohibition
By Barbara Hollingsworth

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is suffering from mission creep. A victim of its own success, the non-profit group is now pursuing Prohibitionist anti-alcohol policies – such as calling for alcohol detectors in all cars – instead of focusing on its original goal of reducing drunk driving deaths...

“The biggest problem in reducing drunk driving fatalities now consists of the hard core of alcoholic drivers who repeatedly drive with BAC’s of .15 or higher,” says Dr. David Hanson, professor emeritus at the State University of New York/Potsdam. “But MADD has now decided to go after social drinkers and to eliminate driving after drinking any amount of alcohol beverage. This change appears to reflect the influence of a growing neo-prohibitionist movement within MADD.”

The change in focus has been accompanied by a change in the way MADD spends donor funds. The American Institute of Philanthropy recently downgraded MADD to a “D” in its 2010 Charity Guide and Watchdog Report, citing the group’s diminished focus on education and victim services in favor of fundraising and anti-drinking activism.

According to the AIP, MADD spent nearly double the average amount on fundraising, leaving just a little more than half of its revenue for programs. In 2008, despite declining revenue, two-thirds of its budget – almost $30 million – was spent on staff salaries (which increased 56 percent).

So both of your analogies fail...

[hlthe2b]

79. Keep on enbling and defending. The backlash will only intensify & the NRA knows it.

The majority of Americans have had enough of gun intimidation.


And yes, may this woman and her organization achieve every bit the success of MADD.

[friendly_iconoclast]

83. "...(M)ay this woman and her organization achieve every bit the success of MADD"

For once, I agree with you:

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4129

Financial Performance Metrics
Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity’s budget spent on the programs
and services it delivers) 73.6%
Administrative Expenses 9.5%
Fundraising Expenses 16.7%
Fundraising Efficiency $0.21
Primary Revenue Growth -4.6%
Program Expenses Growth -2.8%
Working Capital Ratio (years) 0.67

And look, they've given out a whopping $168 per year, on average
on campaign contributions since 1989. I doubt that would cover NRA-ILA's
coffee budget for a month:

http://influenceexplorer.com/organization/mothers-against-drunk-driving/3619ccad024445f28cb32a69bcadaed0?cycle=-1

Currently viewing Mothers Against Drunk Driving from All Years (1989-2013)
Campaign Finance
$4,010 Given
Information
covers roughly through Q4 2013

They amount they spend on lobbying is rather more impressive- the last
full year reported (2011-2012) was a whole $104,000

Lobbying $104,000 Spent

So yes, I would very much like to see MDA achive the same success as MADD..

[hlthe2b]

80. Ahem..... **Fearing Rising Backlash, NRA Urges Gun Activists to Stand Down**

Fearing Rising Backlash, NRA Urges Gun Activists to Stand Down

The last couple of months have been rough for proponents of open-carry gun laws. No fewer than seven restaurant chains have taken a stand against firearms being brought to their businesses, after activists in Texas conducted provocative demonstrations in which they toted semi-automatic rifles into various eateries. Texas law allows rifles (though not handguns) to be carried on display in public, but some patrons and employees were unnerved and angered by the demonstrations, and a national group advocating for reforms, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, pressured the companies using social-media campaigns. After Mother Jones published videos of the gun activists in action, Sonic and Chili's Grill & Bar became the latest to officially reject guns on their premises.

There has also been a particularly dark side to the story of the gun activists: As I first reported in mid May, members of Open Carry Texas and their allies have used vicious tactics against people who disagree with them, including bullying and degrading women. Just last week they harassed a Marine veteran, pursuing him through the streets of Fort Worth on Memorial Day.
In an extraordinary statement, the NRA denounced the open-carry demonstrations as "foolishness" and "downright weird."

Evidently the National Rifle Association has come to realize that none of this is good for business. In an extraordinary move on Friday, the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action—the organization's powerful lobbying arm in Washington—issued a lengthy statement seeking to distinguish between "responsible behavior" and "legal mandates." It told the Texas gun activists in no uncertain terms to stand down.

"As gun owners, whether or not our decisions are dictated by the law, we are still accountable for them," the statement began. "If we exercise poor judgment, our decisions will have consequences…such as turning an undecided voter into an antigun voter because of causing that person fear or offense." The NRA praised the "robust gun culture" of Texas—which recently has loosened laws as aggressively as any state—but then laid into those Texans "who have crossed the line from enthusiasm to downright foolishness."

Seems even they are embarrassed (afraid) of the monster THEY created.... Defenders for this crap are dwindling down to...you?

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/06/nra-open-carry-guns-backlash-texas

[friendly_iconoclast]

84. Oopsie, looks like *someone* just posted an untruth- and it ain't me

Defenders for this crap are dwindling down to...you?

Note to admins and potential alerters: My interlocutor knows damn well
I've condemned the actions of the OCT jerks, as I did just that in a
discussion with her two weeks ago:

Response to hack89 (Reply #14)

Thu May 15, 2014, 08:35 PM

hlthe2b (50,505 posts) Thu May 15, 2014, 08:35 PM
16. When one does not speak out against such terroristic tactics promoted by your pro-gun colleagues

your silence is going to be interpreted--and by many in ways you may not like.

Stamp your feet all you like, but these ugly terroristic tactics are tarring the ENTIRE pro-gun movement whether you believe it fair or not. Don't like it? DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT




http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4960357

Response to hlthe2b (Reply #16)

friendly_iconoclast (10,194 posts) Thu May 15, 2014, 09:55 PM
19. I did, last November. We await your apology for the associational fallacy:

In reference to this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1172133670#post4


http://www.democraticunderground.com/1172133670#post17

Star Member friendly_iconoclast (10,097 posts)
17. Assholes meet astroturf...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1172133670#post39

Star Member friendly_iconoclast (10,097 posts)
39. That tells us next to nothing about MDA, which is what the OP is about

More than one poster (as well as yours truly) have already decried OCT's action for being the assholish thing that it was.

HOWEVER

Since real life is not some Manichean game, OCT bringing the stupid does not in any way make MDA authentically grassroots

Not to mention this, five days later:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4980123

Response to AtheistCrusader (Reply #11)

friendly_iconoclast (10,194 posts) Tue May 20, 2014, 11:56 PM
17. No shit. The OC types do for gun owners what PETA does for vegans

[hlthe2b]

85. You have been calling out those praising this woman and her gun control efforts throughout thread

I think the admins are smart enough to see what is happening

I see in your last post you have changed your position. For that I applaud you.

[friendly_iconoclast]

86. "I see in your last post you have changed your position." Wrong again

I've *always* condemned the actions of Open Carry Texas. This isn't
anything new. You lot might achieve more if you were less fond of
faith-promoting rumor...

[Aerows]

87. My Dad

Proudly has a sign in the window of his business that says "NO Firearms Allowed". He also owns guns, but like everyone else with a grain of sense is sick of people that want to waive them around like they are impressive. He owns the place, and has a shotgun there, but it is his right to disallow idiots to come in packing.

[hlthe2b]

88. Always good to hear of those demonstrating...

Good Sense. to your Dad and others like him.

[Aerows]

89. I agree

We are peaceful people and the only people that need to waive firearms around constantly are people that have no respect for peace, decency and community. There is a need for firearms, I absolutely understand that. There ISN'T a need, however, for people to put them in your face constantly as though it is a God-given right to threaten to kill people. When you walk around sporting knives and guns, you are telling those around you that you are threatening to kill them.

[friendly_iconoclast]

40. I must say, you have quite the collection of photos to share

Do you do anything besides post them here and kvetch about gun owners?

[Hoyt]

68. You afraid you might show up in one?

[friendly_iconoclast]

72. Rather unlikely, as I haven't owned a gun since the Eighties

Since we're on the subject, got any old mugshots you'd like to share with us?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1172&pid=45338

As a former robber, I locked the door to keep people out, especially police.

[Hoyt]

74. Read the post in context. The gun fools were trying to rationalize toting and blasting away

where innocents could be hurt by asserting that victims of a robbery have no chance if the robbers lock the door. As usual, they were being stupid. If you are not a gunner despite your hundreds of posts in defense of gun love, I guess I overestimated you as well.

[friendly_iconoclast]

75. Nice of you to vouch for the behavior of your (hopefully former) cohorts

Question is: How many of them got the message?

And why should their victims trust that they have?

[NYC_SKP]

3. "Stop & Frisk" Bloomberg chose a former Monsanto director of public relations....

...who just happens to be a mom.

They're quite a match.

He's a rich authoritarian conservative pig, and she's a successful promoter of whatever happens to pay the bills.

Shannon Watts


Founder at Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

Indianapolis, Indiana Area
Public Relations and Communications

Previous

Fleishman-Hillard,
VoxPop Public Relations,
WellPoint

Education

University of Missouri-Columbia

Background
Summary

Shannon Watts is a 43-year-old mother of five children (two step-daughters, 24 and 20; two daughters, 18 and 17; and a 13-year-old son). For the past five years, Ms. Watts has been a stay-at-home mom in Indianapolis. Prior to that, she had a 15-year career as a communications executive for both public relations agencies and Fortune 500 corporations. Ms. Watts was not an activist or involved in gun reform prior to the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary on Dec. 14, 2012. The day after the tragedy, Ms. Watts started a Facebook page mobilizing American moms to create an organization like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, but for gun reform. Now called Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, the growing grassroots movement has more than 140,000 members and chapters in all 50 states.
Experience
Founder
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
December 2012 – Present (1 year 6 months)Indianapolis, Indiana Area

Monsanto
Director, Global Public and Corporate Affairs
Monsanto
2001 – 2004 (3 years)

Provided corporate communications strategy and support for Fortune 500 life sciences and agricultural company.
Fleishman-Hillard
Freelance Senior Consultant/Counselor
Fleishman-Hillard
November 2010 – June 2012 (1 year 8 months)

Freelance consultant/counselor for clients of Fleishman-Hillard.
Founder and President
VoxPop Public Relations
December 2008 – June 2012 (3 years 7 months)Indianapolis, Indiana Area

Self-employed by start-up strategic public relations agency created to help individuals, companies and organizations accelerate their growth, profitability, reputation and market presence through media relations, product launches, new media, events and promotions, messaging and media training, and issues management.

WellPoint
Vice President, Corporate Communications
WellPoint
December 2005 – December 2008 (3 years 1 month)

Led communications team for the country’s largest health benefits company and provided communications support for the country’s highest ranking female chief executive officer. Responsible for enterprise-wide media relations, including investor relations.

(Open)1 honor or award

GE Healthcare
Director, Global Communications
GE Healthcare
2004 – 2006 (2 years)

Led ten-member communication team for $14 billion healthcare (medical diagnostics and devices) business within General Electric, a Fortune 100 company

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannontroughton

More than a "stay at home mom", I would say.

[Hoyt]

4. So you support gun nuts intimidating her and her organization?

It's not like the gun promotion and proliferation organizations are run by a gun smith. Heck, I'll take Watts over the racist NRA Prez, Big Jim Porter and his right wing lobbyists any day.

[geomon666]

5. Apparently you're not allowed to have a career if you're an activist.

Or does that only apply to gun control activists? Should we add it to the list?

[NYC_SKP]

6. No, obviously, I don't.

I see opportunists and egomaniacs on both sides of the debate.

And, I think painting her as nothing more than a concerned "stay at home mom" is a cheap and sexist trick.

I find the whole thing exploitative and distasteful, and I don't give a fuck for Texas open carry group assholes.

[Hoyt]

8. I suspect a "stay at home mom," without her background, would think going up against

a bunch of right/white wing gun nuts just too daunting. Glad they found someone with the wherewithal to stand up to the right wing gun machine. Hope she is successful and some member of the Bundy Ranch Militia or wannabes doesn't succeed in hurting her or other members.

[DanTex]

11. A "cheap and sexist trick" is insisting that a stay at home mom can't also be a

well educated former executive.

[scarletwoman]

20. Well said.

[Duckhunter935]

27. and if I were her

I would promote that fact to be a good role model for girls. That does not seem to fit the narrative she pushed as she very rarely even mentions she has been a senior PR person in multinational companies. She should be proud of that fact.

[friendly_iconoclast]

30. I suspect her current employer wants to downplay her previous ones

Last edited Sun Jun 1, 2014, 03:54 PM - Edit history (1)

Think about it: It might be tough to sell your "concern" about safety
if it becomes widely known amongst your target demographic that you used
to be head shill for the GM of GMO...

[Duckhunter935]

33. Those billions come in handy

May have been grassroots at one time but kind of hard to pass that off now that a multi-billionaire is in charge and funding the organization and trips to publicized events.

[Packerowner740]

9. Good, it looks like she's well suited for the job

[DanTex]

10. This NRA smear has been posted on DU several times.

It's pretty odd -- using the fact that this woman had a successful career against her -- on a progressive message board. I guess certain conservatives think a stay-at-home parent is supposed to be someone with no education, who has never had a career, and who does whatever her husband says.

[friendly_iconoclast]

71. It's rather more about *who* she worked for during her "succesful career",...

what they did, and are still doing. Considering all the righteous drubbing Mitt
Romney got here at DU for what occurred during his "successful career"
running Bain Capital, I'd say it's only fair that the goose gets the same sauce
the gander got...

[Hoyt]

76. You don't think Romney deserved that criticism here on DU?

[Duckhunter935]

77. maybe both do

[friendly_iconoclast]

78. Of course he did. And I kicked Willard around a few times myself

[scarletwoman]

19. So, what kind of resume would pass the purity test for a gun control advocate?

Or is that you're just against gun control?

[Duckhunter935]

28. She has a great resume

She should be very proud to publicize it.

[friendly_iconoclast]

32. "Former head of PR for Monsanto" wouldn't play too well with her new audience

Hence all the banging on about being a 'stay at home mom'...

[Starry Messenger]

24. Good, she should be very effective.

I'm sure that makes some people nervous.

[friendly_iconoclast]

34. The question is: more or less effective than she was at Monsanto?

Time will tell...

[Starry Messenger]

35. Her appearance on Chris Hayes was very poised.

She was great, and I think her professionalism will be a plus for her when lobbying Congress.

[friendly_iconoclast]

36. "...I think her professionalism will be a plus for her when lobbying Congress."

I suspect Bloomie's millions will count for rather more. Yea Citizens United!

[Starry Messenger]

37. That's true too.

I'm glad the efforts are being well-funded. Unions also took advantage of Citizens United to fight the enemy with their own weapon. It was very effective.

[friendly_iconoclast]

39. Let's see if Bloomie can outspend the NRA and outlawyer the SAF

This will be interesting to watch...

[Starry Messenger]

45. Well, he's the 16th richest guy in the world.

His personal fortune of $33 billion probably won't feel too pinched. $50 million to firearm reform probably sounds like a lot to us, but there's more where that came from.

[Duckhunter935]

48. If he felt that bad about it

he would just buy the NRA, or the firearms manufacturers, or the ammunition makers and close them down.

[Starry Messenger]

49. Who would want to buy the NRA?

I wouldn't want that bowl of nuts in my investment portfolio. Much better to use money to discredit the entire "movement".

[Duckhunter935]

53. yeah he could just shut it down

or put his own people with his viewpoint in charge. No I think he just wants to have a boogie man to fund-raise against.

[Starry Messenger]

54. It will probably work, too.

People hate the status quo and even gun owners support background checks up to about 85%.

By the way, did you know that Wayne LaPierre gets paid $972,000 a year for being CEO of the NRA? http://www.charitywatch.org/hottopics/Top25.html

[Aerows]

90. I don't particularly care

if she was a former advocate for Satan if it keeps more human beings from mass shooting victims. I hate Monsanto, but it isn't an either or for me. You are evaluated on what you ARE doing, not what you did before.

Even the worst person in the universe can decide to do better. Let them.

[Gormy Cuss]

43. The OP clearly states that she had a 15 year career in corporate communications, so what's the beef?

That she may have some expertise useful for developing this organization?

[Duckhunter935]

50. maybe there

but not on their website, seems like she is not proud of her accomplishments or deliberately hiding them.

Who We Are

Moms Demand Action was founded by stay-at-home mom Shannon Watts on December 15, 2012, in response to the devastating shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The organization quickly flourished into a leading force for gun violence prevention, with chapters in all 50 states and a powerful grassroots network of moms that has successfully effected change at the local, state and national level. In December 2013, Moms Demand Action partnered with Mayors Against Illegal Guns to unite a nationwide movement of millions of Americans working together to change the game and end the epidemic of gun violence that affects every community.

https://www.momsdemandaction.org/about/

[Gormy Cuss]

59. Or she wanted the focus to stay on mothers rather than just her, which is what a good corporate

communications consultant would do.

Was her career in communications promoting guns/2A ? No. Now hiding THAT would be worth a controversy. So far the controversy seems to be that she was an executive before she stepped out of the paid workforce.

[Aerows]

92. When my father

who is and still a hunter for most of his life thinks it has gotten so out of hand that he has to post a "NO Firearms Allowed" poster on his business window, you know it has gotten bad.

Concealed Carry is one thing, but this open carry that threatens everyone in the vicinity is nuts. I refuse to apologize for that opinion.

[billh58]

7. K&R

Thanks to people like Shannon Watts the gun control movement is gathering steam at the grass roots level -- where it counts.

[hack89]

12. Meh - until they can mobilize voters they are irrelevant

And it is pretty clear that gun control is not a priority for the voters.

[LanternWaste]

81. Irrelevant enough to comment on numerous times in one thread.

Irrelevant enough to comment on numerous times in one thread. However, I do realize we need to pretend as such to minimize those who disagree with us...

[hack89]

82. Just a statement of fact regarding political reality

for all this excitement about this group they have yet to show that Bloomberg will get his money's worth. There is no indication whatsoever that gun control is high on the priority list of voters. Judging from the lack of response by the president and other Dem leaders after the latest shooting, they have determined that gun control is not a winning issue. They will make the right noises and propose some milquetoast legislation designed to offend the fewest people but that is all.

[Jenoch]

13. "Grass roots?"

How is $50 million from Bloomberg make this organization 'grass roots"?

[Hoyt]

16. It pales compared to the pro-gun organizations like NRA.

[hack89]

17. How much does the NRA spend? Got a number? nt

[Hoyt]

18. Their annual budget is roughly $250 Million and I don't think that includes the PAC.

You probably receive a detailed breakdown in membership mail. Why ask me how much that right wing organization, that promotes guns and other conservative idea including defeat of Democrats, spends?

[hack89]

22. So you don't know how much they spend on politics?

Color me surprised.

Ignorance, even for good cause, is not a winning strategy. Have you ever considered that your unwillingness to learn basic facts has contributed to your 20 years of failure? You are not much of an opponent - certainly not one that would concern the NRA.

[Hoyt]

23. I just told you, $250 Million, plus PAC donations, plus lobbying and swiftboating.

Look it up if you need details

[hack89]

25. No - you gave their total budget ( with no link of course)

How much was spent on politics?

[friendly_iconoclast]

38. NRA says $25 million:

http://www.nraila.org/about-nra-ila/chriscox.aspx

Directing NRA’s nationwide legislative and political efforts, Cox develops and executes independent political campaign and legislative initiatives, coordinates national advertising and direct mail programs, and has administrative responsibility over NRA-ILA’s $25 million budget. He also serves as the Association’s principal contact with the United States Senate and House of Representatives, the White House and federal agencies.

Remember, though: That $25 million (and the NRA's 4 million paid members)
are merely a front for gun manufacturers, who are outnumbered by EFGS/MDA's $50 million
(and 185,000 or so Facebook likes), which is entirely grassroots...

[Jenoch]

65. I was not referring to the NRA.

There are actual grassroots pro-RKBA efforts across the U.S. They call on people who are pro-RKBA to show up at state capitols to show either support or their opposition to proposed legislation affecting RKBA. There is not the same effort on the anti-RKBA side across the country.

[Hoyt]

69. You mean like Open Carry Texas snd such. That's a racist group of gun intimidators, not

a grass roots organization.

[Jenoch]

70. Absolutley not.

If you were an honest man you would not have posted this reply. You know that I am against open carry because you have posted on the same threads (the recent oc thread in Texas) is an example.

[Lizzie Poppet]

14. You go, Astroturf Monsanto Mom!

[scarletwoman]

21. That's right, attack the messenger!

Good job!

[villager]

26. What else have the gun fetishists here ever done beside that? See posts above and below

Sneer, sniping, and snark are all they've ever had.

Or will ever have.

[Duckhunter935]

31. I think she should promote her career

The truth about her resume is which one?

Sneer, sniping, and snark

[villager]

44. Thanks for proving, exactly, my point!

Appreciate your willingness to make it even more plainly obvious!

[Duckhunter935]

46. so you are against her

publicizing her career and being a role model for girls. That is good to know but I do not agree with it. I think she should be proud of all of her accomplishments. Stay at home mom and high paid communications executive for multinational companies.

and you did not answer my question in my earlier post

[villager]

51. "please proceed"

And I realize, in your case, "the boy can't help it!"

[Duckhunter935]

52. still can't answer a simple

question.

Since you will not I have nothing more to add.

[Lizzie Poppet]

55. Well...that and facts.

And apparently the entire concept of irony escapes you...good to know.

[villager]

58. "the entire concept of irony escapes you" -- pot/kettle/black

[Lizzie Poppet]

60. Nice "Pee Wee Herman" comeback there.

[villager]

62. And the projection -- and confirmation! -- continues apace

Though one wonders if you couldn't have selected a better graphic to go with the weak-tea response?

Perhaps something like:



Though I'm guessing you find the lack of a toy gun, among Pee Wee playthings, to be a nearly insurmountable affront.

[Lizzie Poppet]

63. And the bullshit amateur psychoanalysis continues apace!

Keep it up...this is pure comedy gold.

[villager]

64. "And the bullshit amateur psychoanalysis continues apace!"

Absolutely!

[Lizzie Poppet]

66. You should try to expand the items in your auto-response loop.

You're already reverting to Pee Wee "I know you are but what am I" twaddle. But feel free to have the last word...you've committed the ultimate sin: you're boring me.

[villager]

67. "You should try to expand the items in your auto-response loop."

[friendly_iconoclast]

42. Does this mean we're no longer responsible for Lapierre and Nugent?

If so, I'll agree to that...

[Duckhunter935]

47. Nice to know

all things being equal they will find a way to tie all firearms owners in with them. Just a little bit of hypocrisy.

[Lizzie Poppet]

56. Happy to oblige.

When her message actually offers something beneficial and do-able, I'll alter my approach.

[Eleanors38]

15. Gun control: Elites talking to elites. Nothing new.

[Duckhunter935]

29. True nt

[rurallib]

61. mark to return to - we need a singular organization to march the NRA

at least in size. 50 different organizations no matter how well meaning is still badly split.
I need to come back to this tomorrow and take some time to study this.
I think this may be the horse to ride.

[951-Riverside]

91. Sorry lady but calling for "tougher background checks" and talking to kids isnt going to do it.

Its only going to encourage crazy people to panic and stockpile more guns but hey, it brings in a lot of money for the organization.

The only way to end gun violence is by either banning all private gun ownership (hunters can go to the store and buy their food like normal people) or treating gun crimes the same way we treat pedophilia. Right now pedophiles face life in prison but if you leave your gun around kids and they blow their own brains out, you get probation at the most.

All gun crimes should come with a minimum of 25 years in prison with no early release, no time served, no good time/half time, no parole and no probation.

Fire a gun off on New Years day?
BOOM! 25 years.

Use a gun to threaten or coerce someone in any way?
BOOM! 25 years.

Felon in possession of a gun?
BOOM! 25 years.

Leave your gun unsecured around children?
BOOM! 25 years.

And all background checks should cost $5,000 for each weapon every 5 years, all background checks would come with a psych eval too and those who refuse to comply within 2 years of the law passing face 25 years.

[Aerows]

93. Responsible people

aren't going to violate those laws in the first place. I absolutely disagree with a $5,000 cost per gun. Hunters feed their families with guns. That's just nuts.

[alp227]

94. Wait, you disagree with "tougher background checks"

but want them to be more expensive? I don't follow.

[951-Riverside]

95. If people insist on "bearing" guns then background checks shouldn't be free or cheap.

A $5000 non refundable fee per gun every 5 years with a mandatory psych eval is a great start also gun owners who are non compliant within 2 years should be scooped for and sentenced to a mandatory minimum of 25 years.

I personally prefer banning all private ownership of guns and even limiting when police officers can carry them like in Britain.

[Jenoch]

97. What are you doing to achieve your lofty goal,

other than posting on an internet messege board?

[alp227]

98. Seriously? What about people whose livelihoods depend on hunting for food?

And if background checks are that expensive, won't people just bootleg guns instead? I think making background checks prohibitively expensive will make the gun problem WORSE.

[951-Riverside]

100. I'll admit I'm not well versed on hunting...

but isnt most meat farmed raised?

I'm not aware of any mass produced meat that was hunted down and killed by hunters and whats wrong with using a bow?

Its quiet and doesnt contain lead. Our ancestors used bows and spears just fine before firearms came into existence.

[alp227]

101. Seriously? I don't know where to begin.

At least try to look up the basics of any topic, before making a post! It's true that mass-produced meat is farmed. But policy in the US needs to accommodate EVERYONE, not just city folk. People do live in fly-over country.

[friendly_iconoclast]

104. "Our ancestors used bows and spears just fine before firearms came into existence."

They also liked to kill each other in wholesale lots...

[X_Digger]

96. Funny, you lot seem to like those mandatory sentences unless it happens to someone like..

Marissa Alexander.

Funny how that happens, isn't it?

And good luck with the rest of your.. *cough* ideas.

[951-Riverside]

99. About Marissa Alexander...

If she could afford the $5000 background checks and passed the psych eval and if it was clear case of self defense then obviously a mandatory sentence would not apply.

OTOH if she didn't comply and illegally had the gun in her possession then I have no problem sentencing her to 25 years.

Considering that she indiscriminately fired through a wall instead of at her attacker, I think the current sentence was fair in that context. You cannot go blasting away in a neighborhood then claim self defense although in comparison to what George Zimmerman got which was NOTHING it was a huge miscarriage of justice.

As for George Zimmerman, given that he couldn't become a police officer when he applied, I strongly believe if we had expensive background checks in conjunction with psych evaluations Trayvon would still be alive today because even if he could afford the fee, he probably wouldnt pass the evaluation.

[Jenoch]

102. What are you doing to achieve your lofty goal,

other than posting on an internet message board?

[friendly_iconoclast]

103. Will these $5000 checks be as effective as the ban on heroin has been?