Dems want gun control, but worry it could cost them midterms

[laserhaas]

Source: The HILL

Democrats mulling how to approach gun control on the campaign trail this year are weighing their tough history on the subject against the burning politics of the moment.

The killings of 17 people at a Florida high school has led to an outpouring of student protests and new energy for the gun control movement. Polls show almost unanimous support for an expansion of background checks.

But the issue is a delicate one for party leaders hoping to flip both chambers in this year’s midterms by defeating Republicans in conservative-leaning districts where tougher gun laws can be radioactive.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/374961-dems-want-gun-control-but-worry-it-could-cost-them-midterms?userid=216387

[BumRushDaShow]

1. Fight fire with fire. Get billionaire Bloomberg to cough up as much

as the NRA.

Enough!

[bearsfootball516]

2. 50 state strategy

Push gun control in the states that will listen. For those where the backlash would be too great, find other avenues to success.

[Funtatlaguy]

4. Not just state by state, but House district by district

Urban vs rural areas.

[AtheistCrusader]

17. Many states have pre-emption rules that prevent that.

[beachbum bob]

3. americans want reasonable gun control and the fact is verified all the time but

the real problem is not countering the NRA. It won't be done by "debate" or "discussion", it will be done by attacking NRA history and support of some pretty evil stuff

that can be done by vilifying their policy issues they have held and current ones as well

- copkiller ammunition
- unfettered access to all weapons including machine guns
- selling guns to kids....

of course remind what the NRA was 50 years ago as advocates of the american sports hunter and not the modern day merchant of death.

all so simple to do with 30 second commercial ads run nationally. Tie republicans to NRA 100% and villify the NRA the way they need to be.


time to fight fire with fire

[AtheistCrusader]

20. The NRA doesn't support either of your first two bullet points.

On Machine Guns, the NRA helped write the 1934 National Firearms Act that restricted (and eventually banned) fully automatic weapons.
It also worked on the legislation that banned 'cop killer' bullets in 1986-1994, getting trade-offs where single-metal bullets could be tested and rated as legal, as long as they don't penetrate a IIa vest.

This was important because things like the Talon full-copper bullet were considered unlawful simply because they were made of a single metal; copper through and through. In real world performance testing, they DON'T penetrate a IIa vest, even though the construction, as described in the original proposed laws, made it seem like the Talon was likely to punch through a cop's vest.

Those are both issues the NRA worked with, not against the passage of the law, with input on how the law was worded to cover specific issues.


Your third bullet point, is essentially correct.

[mac56]

5. "Do you want to be in Congress, or do you want to be right?"

[lagomorph777]

6. I think the answer is "If you want to be in Congress, do the right thing."

History, and voters, will reward you.

[keepleft101]

33. you want to flip the house & senate

its more important to take control back with Trump in the White House.

We are set to take control back in both houses and then win a landslide in 2020. We cannot screw that up.

[global1]

7. That's Right Dems - Get Wishy Washy On This Now.....

You got kids around the country now driving this issue - and you want to disappoint them? Come on now - have the courage of your convictions lest you'll be labeled just like the other Party.

[Drahthaardogs]

8. It's not hard.

Be smart. Start with closing the loopholes for background checks and banning high capacity magazines.

Baby steps.

[laserhaas]

10. Exactly!

[bluestarone]

14. this!!!!!!!!!!!

all this THEN work on assault rifle ban!!!!!!!!!!!!! We can win this in the long run!!!!!!!!!!!! We need the kids and the kids NEED US!!!!!!!!! NOW IS THE TIME!!!!!!

[Drahthaardogs]

15. Yep. Make them stand there and explain WHY universal background checks

Are a bad idea. There is no rational argument against it.

[rainin]

9. Dem leaders: Who do you work for?

We elect you to represent us. You work for us. Start doing what we say. I don't even want to hear you say what you "believe"
Who cares? I want you to say "my constituents want" and do it.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

16. The Democratic Party should take a progressive stand for once and stand by it.

It's worked before with civil rights. It took a long time to achieve the goal, but if the party had given in to the GOP we'd still have segregated schools and African Americans couldn't vote. Hell, women wouldn't have the vote if the suffragettes hadn't kept up the pressure.

The vast majority of Americans want common sense gun control. We can win on this one, especially with the students behind the effort.

[hydrolastic]

11. That's Hooey!

In fact just the opposite would happen. People would finally get to see just how manipulated the NRA has made this issue. When the Democrats take the side of rational debate on gun control will be the day the democratic party gets a backbone.

[leftynyc]

12. The MAIN problem is

that while 97% want universal background checks and other forms of control, this isn't the #1 issue for them. When it is the #1 issue, it's the gun nuts that care, not the reasonable people.

[sarisataka]

13. It's fairly simple

Gun control is a very broad term. Certain measures have widespread support, such as ubcs, and will help a candidate gain votes. At the other end, extreme measures, such as melt 'em down, have very little support and will cost a candidate votes.

[ffr]

18. Yep. The sheeple will come out after watch NRA sponsored ads and will flip for R's at the polls.

It's a epidemic in this country that so many watch conservative TV 24/7, nothing will stop them from voting in the next generation of NRA supporting conservative politicians, when they should be voting for their own best interests, and for a better tomorrow, which is to always vote for Democrats.

[pandr32]

19. There's sure to be another huge mass shooting or two

...before midterms. With the new activism starting, thanks to the students in our country who are now joining the parents of the previous mass shootings, any addition gun violence will only elevate their voices. I think we have finally reached the end of "thoughts and prayers" and "it's too early to talk about it" put forward by the NRA funded candidates (GOP). It is time to remember that these asshats (and to remind them that they) get their powers with "the consent of the governed."

It is time to talk common sense gun control and renew the expired assault weapons ban. We need to protect the rights of all citizens to "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness."

Quotes from the Declaration of Independence.

[malthaussen]

21. This does not compute.

Aren't most of the gun-humpers devout Republicans in the first place? They're lost already.

If 2/3 of the voting public support gun control (as per the last Quinnipiac poll), then it is hard to see how supporting gun control would cost the Democratic Party one damned little thing.

-- Mal

[Xipe Totec]

22. Let's do the math

97 percent of Americans want universal background checks for gun buyers.

67 percent want to ban assault weapons.

http://theweek.com/speedreads/756459/97-percent-americans-want-universal-background-checks-gun-buyers-67-percent-want-ban-assault-weapons

Any questions?

[laserhaas]

23. Just a bunch of NRA/ RWNJ Ostriches

with their heads buried in the sand.

Unfortunately, in a sane world, the ostriches are the ones who lose their as s - when, so, doing.

In our nation, RWN/ NRA buried heads lose our children's!

[dembotoz]

24. nra is very big in my district.lots of hunters, lots of rednecks, lots of bigots, lots of tea party

very red area in a pretty red state....

the hunters must feel comfortable that no one is coming after their deer rifle.

it is a tightrope out here.

[rownesheck]

25. I don't understand.

The vast majority of people want stricter gun control laws. 75% of us don't own guns. What are they scared of??? Fight for what you believe in!!!! Go all in! Probably why I'm not leading the party. I don't have the patience.

[Bleacher Creature]

26. I can't believe we're still having this argument.

Old white guts aren't going to suddenly switch over to vote for Democrats. Period. They're Republicans now, and punting on gun control isn't going to change that. We can only win if we motivate the diverse coalitions that make up the Democratic Party, and who support tougher gun laws. As long as the party supports common sense gun laws, like background checks, waiting periods, and a ban on things like assault weapons, the only risk we have is not doing enough.

[BeyondGeography]

27. Dems have been worrying their way into irrelevance around the country for years

Maybe try something new.

[Sgent]

29. Seeing how the Brady bill and the AWB especially

gave us Newt Gingrich and a R controlled house for the firs time in 50 years, I would assume they do have a basis in reality.

[BeyondGeography]

30. That was a mediocre argument ten years ago

[shanny]

28. universal background checks are radioactive?

not with 97% approval they are not. start there.

[samir.g]

31. STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT!

This is a perfect time for a full court press to ban all semi-automatic guns.

[WhoWoodaKnew]

32. If they (or we) start shouting to ban all guns, yeah, they'll lose...

if they (and we) start shouting about sensible measures (registry, mental health screening, etc) then it could actually help to gain seats/save lives.

so, do you want to gain seats or not?

[Jake Stern]

34. Current tally

3 legislators recalled
1 resignation before being recalled
1 good Dem senator replaced with a Teabagger asshole
Republican control of State Senate

Thanks in large part to Dems pushing for gun control

Wish I had a solution to this dilemma but I don't. What is for sure is that Dems need to tread carefully in purple states like Colorado or they risk having a Ken Buck as governor with a red legislature.

[The Wizard]

35. Democrats have to stand for something

Worrying about what bad things Repubics will say about them has failed with regularity. Repubes will disparage all Democrats no matter what. How many Repubic legislators withdrew support for bills they sponsored when Obama agreed with the.
Their anti American positions and tactics are well documented. Go after them with extreme prejudice. When you have them down put your heels on their necks and rotate.

[summer_in_TX]

36. Gerrymandering has given rural voters and outsized influence.

R's have stacked gerrymandered districts with more rural voters , and they vote against gun control. So while there are political concerns, if Dem candidates go step-by-step, one thing at a time, and are very clear on drawing a line beyond which they do not believe in going.

For instance, guarantee that you respect the right of law-abiding citizens whose mental or behavioral health is satisfactory to carry weapons for hunting and self-protection, as long as they cannot shoot more than x number of bullets at a time without reloading. Ensure they feel secure in those basic liberties and only then talk about common sense gun reform such as:

Mandate universal background checks and close the gunshow loopholes.

Allow law enforcement to confiscate guns from the mentally ill when they pose a danger to themselves or others, domestic abusers, criminals, and those on the no-fly list, being careful to include due process in case of errors.

Don't rush the harder things if you are in a district with lots of rural voters. Listen and discuss. Keep coming back to how to protect our children and make sure they are safe.

[demosincebirth]

37. All they have to do is campaign on sensible gun laws.