TTAG Daily Digest: The Scotts’ Consequences, Bloomberg’s Lament and a Matter of Commitment

The ground is shifting on gun control. Vermont is a sign.

The Scotts will need to be taught an electoral lesson . . .

That Mr. Scott is facing reelection in November makes his swivel in support of these gun-control measures all the more noteworthy. He, like Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R), who is making a bid for the Senate, seems to have made the political calculation that crossing the national gun lobby runs less risk than opposing laws supported by the public on gun violence prevention.

There is movement in other states to enact gun violence prevention bills; seven states now ban bump stocks, and Maryland is on track to become the eighth state with a red-flag law. So it’s about time for Congress and the White House to ask the question posed by Mr. Scott: Are they doing everything they can to protect our kids?

Now Marion Hammer’s set her sights on YETI

There’s always RTIC and ORCA, Pelican, Grizzly . . .

The National Rifle Association is targeting YETI after the Texas-based maker of high-dollar cups and coolers dropped its sponsorship of the Friends of NRA Foundation Banquet and Auction events around the country, according to an alert issued by NRA Florida lobbyist Marion Hammer.

The YETI coolers “have been a hot item for sportsmen” at the events for years, according to Hammer’s alert.

“Suddenly, without prior notice, YETI has declined to do business with The NRA Foundation saying they no longer wish to be an NRA vendor, and refused to say why. They will only say they will no longer sell products to The NRA Foundation. That certainly isn’t sportsmanlike. In fact, YETI should be ashamed. They have declined to continue helping America’s young people enjoy outdoor recreational activities. These activities enable them to appreciate America and enjoy our natural resources with wholesome and healthy outdoor recreational and educational programs,” the alert reads. “In this day and age, information is power. We thought you needed this information.”

DOE: Students will be penalized for taking part in half-day gun protest

Actions have consequences . . .

The DOE offered a reprieve to kids who took part in a brief national walkout on the issue in March after the Feb. 14 high-school massacre in Parkland, Fla., with Mayor Bill de Blasio voicing his support for the 17-minute protest.

But DOE spokesperson Miranda Barbot said Thursday that kids who take part in Friday’s walkout, which is being supported through a grant by the American Federation of Teachers, will not get any special pardon.

“We support student participation in civic engagement and advocacy, and encourage schools to facilitate opportunities for respectful discussions on current events,” Barbot said. “We are aware of the planned full-day walkout and schools will follow standard attendance policies.”

Joe Biden honors student who was shot twice while stopping a rape

There came a point where he saw his best friend and high school teammate trying to open a door because he heard a girl scream behind it.

After a fight against the door, it finally opened. The two men saw a frightened woman and a man who appeared to be trying to assault her. Richard helped scare the perpetrator away, but it wasn’t over. Richard, a linebacker and captain of his university’s football team, chased the man to the front yard where an altercation began. Aina was alongside him.

The man was carrying a gun. And even though the man was slowly backing away, Richard and police say the man pulled his gun and fired three rounds.

“I knew right then and there,” Richard said. “Once he reached for his waist I kind of figured.”

Two of those three bullets struck Richard, one in each leg. Both bullets missed major arteries and bones by millimeters, according to a SUNY Cortland press release.

‘There’s no leadership’ on gun reform, says Michael Bloomberg

Mayor Mike isn’t happy, and that makes us happy . . .

“I think there’s no leadership on keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, minors, and people with psychiatric problems, which this country should be ashamed that we’re not doing,” Bloomberg told “Face the Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan.

For years, since his tenure as New York’s mayor, Bloomberg has been outspoken in calling for legislation to combat gun violence. He has backed Everytown for Gun Safety, which has pushed for changes to background checks and limits on gun sales. …

“I think all of us have a responsibility between now and then, call your congressman, call your senator, and say we want you to do something about this. I don’t want to have my child at risk. I don’t want to personally be at risk from crazy people with — should, who shouldn’t have guns,” Bloomberg said.

Has Parkland changed Americans’ views on guns?

As always, it comes down to who’s more motivated. And that’s a battle the pro-gun side has always won . . .

There are mixed signs that gun-control supporters will have more sway at the ballot box. Support for new gun laws has grown among Democratic-leaning groups as well as swing-voting demographics. But at the same time, people who strongly prioritize new gun laws are no more likely to say they’re certain to vote in this November’s elections than the public overall (58 percent each).

In addition, while 41 percent of those who strongly prioritize new gun laws say agreeing with a congressional candidate on gun policy is “extremely important,” a larger 50 percent of those who strongly prioritize gun rights say the same.