It’s way too early to declare Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America’s TOD. But we’ve noticed a marked diminution of the gun control group’s media footprint. Oh sure, whenever there’s a firearms-related committee hearing, a disarmament Mom gets some obligatory airtime. But I reckon that’s less because they’re considered a force to be reckoned with and more that they’re the only organized group opposing “common sense” gun rights bills in pro-gun states (e.g., campus carry in Texas). But how organized is Moms Demand Action for Guns Sense in America (MDA), really? Here’s their caption for the photo above . . .
Moms Demand Action members in North Carolina joined the HKonJ march yesterday in the name of #gunsense and to honor of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students who were tragically shot and killed last week. Thank you, Moms…
I count four Moms. Note that they’re carrying a pre-printed banner and pre-printed signs. So there’s a central organizing force supporting these MDA members. And when I say members, remember that they don’t pay dues, like NRA members. MDA is cagey (to put it kindly) about their “membership” totals. Here’s the relevant bit attached to their press releases:
Since its inception after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 2.5 million members and more than 40,000 donors.
There’s no definition of an MDA chapter. No “barrier to entry.” Aside from the hoplophobic zealots assuming the mantle of chapter heads, MDA is comprised of armchair activists. People whose protests take the form of hysterical, irrational and bilious comments on the Moms’ Facebook page. These “members” don’t pay for their participation with cash money or their presence. Muster on a blustery February? No thanks!
That said, MDA is still the big Kahuna of civilian disarmament. Former Mayor and bilious billionaire Michael Bloomberg provides virtually unlimited financial backing, and they’re still media darlings. But without a solid base, with gun rights ascendant in the courts and pro-gun state legislatures, their days are numbered – even if their supporters are not.