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GUNS AND POLITICS
point of being ineffectual, or arguing that more guns may be needed
to protect us from certain types of
violence. But as Christina Wilkie
reports, the gun rights movement
is hardly a harmonious bunch.
Groups have bickered over legislative and judicial strategies, with
different visions over how best to
advance their agendas. Even NRA
members are broadly supportive
of reforms like background checks.
Yes, lawmakers are afraid to
cast tough votes that place them in
the political crosshairs. After all,
the historic losses suffered by the
Democratic Party during the 1994
elections are blamed, in part, on
the passage of the assault weapons
ban prior to then. But many who
lived through ’94 say that narrative
is largely folklore, designed to enhance the NRA’s image. Even those
HUFFINGTON
04.07.13
whose congressional careers were
upended urge today’s lawmakers
not to be afraid of pursuing reform.
There certainly is enough data
to encourage that pursuit. A recent HuffPost/YouGov poll shows
that Democrats face little-tono harm from backing the three
major gun policy proposals in
President Barack Obama’s reform
agenda. In fact, the data suggest
that opposing background checks,
outlawing the sale of high-capacity magazines and banning assault
weapons might hurt them.
The politics of guns have always been sensitive to touch. As
Congress continues to debate the
proper legislative response to one
of the most horrific episodes of
gun violence in modern memory,
real gun reform no longer
seems like a winning bet.
Candles and
mementos
are laid out
at a memorial
for victims
of the mass
shooting at
Sandy Hook
Elementary
School, on
Dec. 17, 2012,
in Newtown,
Conn.