Reader CTSheepdog writes:
In Connecticut yesterday, John McKinney, state Senate Minority Leader, lost his bid for the GOP candidacy to face Governor Dan Malloy in November. McKinney, one of the architects of Connecticut’s restrictive 2013 gun laws, was beaten by 11 percent by businessman Tom Foley. Tens of thousands of CT gun owners turned out in a low turnout primary to lift Foley to victory in all but one CT county . . .
McKinney, whose district includes Newtown, worked with the Democrat leadership to craft CT’s more restrictive ban on black rifles and standard capacity magazines of more than 10 rounds. Law-abiding gun owners have challenged McKinney since then, but the Leader has remained adamant in his views that the gun law will make citizens safer.
Foley, while not a gun owner himself and having to navigate the difficult Connecticut ideological landscape, has publicly supported citizens’ rights to bear arms. Most recently, Foley has pointed out the role defective mental health plays in rampage killings and has opined that the 2013 law will do little to nothing to prevent a future rampage.
The November election pitting Foley against Malloy will bring out both sides of the gun rights/control issue. Next month the major gun control advocacy groups will be holding a seminar on political activism and how the true believers can help support gun control supporting politicians in the coming election.
It is an uphill fight and gun control is not the top priority for a majority of CT voters. The weak economy, state-wide job losses, rising taxes, unfunded liabilities and other more mainstream concerns might be enough to unseat Malloy. However, in 2010, Foley lost to Malloy by less than 7,000 votes so a strong turnout by gun owners could represent a decisive margin in another close election.
One down, one to go.