The NRA broke a fundraising record after Parkland. Will that sway elections?
Younger adults are notoriously unreliable voters . . .
As students marched for gun control after the Parkland shootings, members of the National Rifle Association reached for their checkbooks.
The NRA’s Political Victory Fund recorded its highest monthly contribution total since 2000 after the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, according to an analysis of campaign finance reports by the South Florida Sun Sentinel
The NRA’s campaign fund collected $2.4 million in March, the highest total in 18 years when adjusted for inflation. About 80 percent of the contributions were donations of $200 or less.
Will those surge of contributions bring victory to pro-gun candidates in the fall midterm elections? Campaign finance experts say that haul in and of itself won’t sway elections. The bigger question could be whether younger voters inspired by March for Our Lives demonstrations show up at the polls.
Where the Sierra Club Stands on Gun Control
Right about where we expected they would . . .
Sierra recently published an article about the Pittman-Robertson Act, an 80-year-old piece of legislation that directs funds from an tax on the sale of guns and ammunition to state wildlife conservation programs. Pittman-Robertson dollars fund 75 to 80 percent of state conservation programs for both game and nongame species; $1.1 billion was distributed this year alone for wildlife protection in Pittman-Robertson funds.
Especially in the wake of shootings like the Parkland, Florida massacre, gun ownership is an emotional issue, and it’s important to make clear where the Sierra Club stands on gun control.
The Sierra Club supports an assault weapons ban, stricter gun control laws including background checks, and banning lead in ammunition.
Watch: Burglary suspects crash pickup truck into Osceola County gun store
Bollards. Big bollards . . .
Newly released surveillance footage showed the moment a pickup truck slammed into an Osceola County gun store during a burglary.
Deputies have arrested three suspects, but three others remain at large.
Deputies are concerned that the guns stolen from that store could be used in crimes, so they released surveillance footage in hopes it will help them capture the remaining suspects.
New York Politicians Want to Suppress Free Assembly Rights for Gun Rights Supporters
Only certain views and opinions can be openly expressed in Brooklyn . . .
The Brooklyn Daily Eaglereports that the pro-NRA group drew about 100 people, while there were only around a dozen protesters. There were also pro-gun-rights demonstrators protesting the protest. “Brooklynite Joe Abruzzo brought his Don’t Tread On Me flag to support the NRA group’s right to meet. ‘People have someone break into their home, they’re gonna call for help or hope their neighbor’s armed,’ he said.”
The Brooklyn Reporternotes that many were especially upset that the “event was originally billed to include a raffle and auction which, organizers once boasted would include exclusive NRA gear and guns, such as the John Wayne ‘Lil’ Duke’ BB Rifle; a .410.-gauge shotgun; a Colt Cobra revolver; and a 7mm-08 ‘women’s rifle.” The paper quotes Andrew Gounardes, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for State Senate:
The NRA has absolutely no place in Brooklyn. They do not believe in common-sense gun laws. They do not believe in keeping our neighborhood safe and the fact that they have to sneak around our community just to hold a fundraiser shows how wrong they know they are and how unwelcome they are in our community.
Why it is supposed to be a black mark against free citizens trying to peacefully assemble to possibly exchange or gift legal items and organize politically that local politicians show so little respect for free assembly that they openly cheer the citizens being shut down is insufficiently explained. But the NRA’s views on the Second Amendment apparently make it a “disgraceful organization,” according to another Democratic state Senate candidate, Ross Barkan.
Florida teen nails NRA for banning guns during Pence speech
As if the NRA has any say in the matter . . .
A teenage survivor of the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, slammed the hypocrisy of the NRA after the pro-gun group banned guns from Mike Pence’s speech at its annual meeting.
Pence is scheduled to deliver an address at the NRA’s annual leadership forum in Dallas, Texas. On the site advertising his appearance, the NRA notes that “the U.S. Secret Service will be responsible for event security” at the forum.
“As a result, firearms and firearm accessories, knives or weapons of any kind will be prohibited in the forum prior to and during his attendance.”
Cameron Kasky, who was at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the massacre, highlighted the prohibitions — and the absurdity. “The NRA has evolved into such a hilarious parody of itself,” he wrote.
Gun buyback targets semi-automatics
Have you had an unfortunate boating accident lately? . . .
The anonymous nature of the event means that any resident can drop off any firearm, no questions asked. Deputies will not check identifications of those who participate in the buyback program.
The Walmart and gas gift cards are funded by the Commissioner’s Betterment Grant money.
Those who wish to turn in firearms should place the weapons in a plastic bag, unloaded and safely secured in the trunk of the vehicle. As drivers enter the drop off location, they are asked to remain in their vehicles until deputies remove the guns from the trunk.
Isn’t that special.
You can show me all the individuals you want. I’m sure they are wonderful people. The NRA’s agenda is to sell more guns and stop any meaningful gun safety measures. You are a danger to America. You are a danger to law enforcement. https://t.co/yIAbotNU8i
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 28, 2018