Reader CTSheepdog writes:
As you all know, the post-Sandy Hook era has not been a happy one for Constitution State gun owners. Irrespective of the federal and Connecticut state Constitution’s protection of gun ownership rights, the Hartford Legislature passed one of the most invasive gun laws in 2013 in the form of PA13-3. A primary proponent of that gun law was Connecticut Against Gun Violence known locally as CAGV. In the days prior to Sandy Hook, CAGV was likely on its last legs, running out of money and support (it failed to get a stand-alone magazine capacity law passed the prior year). But Adam Lanza’s rampage changed the landscape . .
and allowed CAGV to rise, form new alliances and fill the vacuum caused by Lanza’s depravity. But now, those in Connecticut are wondering if CAGV’s ability to use that tragedy has reached its expiration date . . .
Exhibit 1 would be the failure earlier this year of SB-650, An Act Concerning Temporary Restraining Orders (and the similar HB6848). This CAGV-supported domestic violence bill that would have impeded the rights of gun owners who were simply accused of domestic discord. While that bill was proposed by Governor Malloy, had the support of many violence prevention organizations and seemed destined to pass in Democrat-controlled Hartford, the bill failed to come to a vote.
While it is possible the politics of the bill became untenable, it was also likely that opponents made a strong case that all the “protections” sought in the bill were already available through existing legislation. Hmmmm.
As Exhibit 2, I bring you news that CAGV has just announced the cancellation of the organization’s third annual conference on gun control dubbed Meet the Leaders. Here is CAGV’s explanation on Facebook:
“We regret to inform you that we have cancelled the CAGV Conference that was scheduled for October 3rd at Yale University. Unfortunately there are circumstances beyond our control that made this difficult decision necessary. By registering for our conference you demonstrated just how committed you are to the cause of gun violence prevention. For that we are extremely grateful. The reason we have accomplished so much over the past few years is because you and others like you have committed time, energy and financial support to the cause we all care so deeply about. (The cost of your ticket(s) will be refunded to the form of payment used).”
Circumstances beyond their control? Hmmm. For those of you out there who might say “big deal”, you have to understand that this conference had national scope and would have likely drawn national, if not international, notice. Why?
The most recent invitation, sent with the signature of Mary Himes, CAGV Board member and wife of Congressman Jim Himes of Connecticut, described the event as CAGV’s “opportunity to introduce leaders of all of the major national gun violence prevention groups as speakers”. Himes’ email continued,
“This will be the first time to our knowledge that all of the leaders have appeared together in any one state.”
And who might those leaders be? How’s this for a who’s who of the gun grabber cabal:
Peter Ambler – Americans for Responsible Solutions
Dante Barry – Million Hoodies Movement for Justice
Ladd Everitt – Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
Colin Goddard – Everytown for Gun Safety
Nicole Hockley – Sandy Hook Promise
Brian Malte – The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
Po Murray – Newtown Action Alliance
Josh Sugarmann – Violence Policy Center
Robyn Thomas – Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence
Julia Wyman – States United to Prevent Gun Violence
Why should you care if you don’t live in Connecticut? Because in the opinion of many, this wasn’t just about Connecticut. That is, given the Dems’ triple majority in Connecticut and the Governor’s anti-gun mindset, the state is seen by many as the petri dish for the experimental plans of the rights restriction cabal. As CAGV noted on their web site Meet the Leaders page (before they took it down):
“Remember our pledge: Change the Conversation, Change the Culture, Change the Laws! We are still committed to this goal. Not only in CT, but in the nation.”
So, with so many of the leaders of the civilian disarmament movement invited to be in one place at one time, what could have happened, “outside of CAGV’s control” to cancel the event? If any one of these speakers, even two, had cancelled, the event could still go on. If they lost the Yale University venue, they could likely have found another with a week’s notice. But an outright cancellation? Why?
My guess: registration was so poor at $75 per head that it would have been an embarrassment to hold the event in a barely filled auditorium. What if CAGV had actually brought together the “leaders of all of the major national gun violence prevention groups”, invited the local/national media and no one cared to show up? What would that say to the world?
I will leave it to you to assess what you think is happening in Connecticut, but this seems to me to be something worth noting. Is this another manifestation of the public’s lack of genuine support for gun rights’ restrictions when there are no fresh bloody shirts being waved.