“As the National Rifle Association grows increasingly out of touch with most American gun owners,” Josh Israel at thinkprogress.com writes underneath a grim-faced attendees at the NRA convention, “the organization still claims ‘more than five million members.'” Wait. What? Not the five million members bit. The part about the NRA losing support with “most” American gun owners . . .
Is that true?
“Overall support for stricter laws includes a majority of those who live in gun-owning households (57%)” a recent CNN-commissioned poll reveals. Yes, well, “stricter laws” could mean locking-up gang bangers. Drilling down to specific gun control laws . . .
On the proposals tested in the poll, there are sharp partisan divisions that reflect those in the public conversation around gun laws that has emerged since Parkland, particularly on a ban on semi-automatic weapons such as the AR-15. That proposal has the support of 80% of Democrats and 53% of independents, but just 34% of Republicans.
Likewise, limiting the number of guns an individual can own garners 69% support among Democrats vs. just 23% among Republicans. And while backing for a ban on high-capacity magazines has grown across party lines, there remains a 34-point spread between Democrats (82% support) and Republicans (48% support) on the question.
Is it any wonder the NRA has moved closerthanthis to the Republican Party? In fact, given post-Parkland Republican politicians’ support for new gun control laws, I’m beginning to wonder if the NRA IS the Republican Party.
What Republican is publicly railing against the extreme dangers of socialism? The revolving door justice system that lets dangerous criminals roam free? The mainstream media that distorts facts to push a progressive agenda?
And, most importantly, what Republican’s repelling — in no uncertain terms — the attack on the one civil right that protects them all?
Sure, the NRA capitulated on bump fire stocks. Yes, the NRA supports [unconstitutional] expanded background checks. But when it comes to defending personal liberty and The American Way, when it comes to waving the flag for freedom, isn’t it true that the NRA is freedom’s safest pace?