Does Bernie Sanders Understand How Big Of A Deal Guns Are Right Now?

[Godhumor]

During this weekend’s debate, Bernie Sanders got hammered by Hillary Clinton over gun control. And, in truth, Sanders has some fairly serious questions to answer on the topic. But the fundamental question really comes down to whether or not Sanders really gets why gun rights are such a central concern in America right now.

Bernie Sanders’ record on guns is outright baffling. Sanders has publicly stated himself to be a moderate, but in 1993, he voted against the Brady Bill. In 2005, he voted for the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, a law that prevents those shot by firearms from suing gun manufacturers. The latter vote Sanders insisted was a state’s rights issue over federally mandated waiting periods, but it’s difficult to see how that might have much of an impact on Vermont.

...

Vermont is often stereotyped as a hippie enclave, but its gun laws contradict that. There’s no state with fewer gun laws, and Vermont doesn’t even have a permit system for carrying firearms. In fact, for the longest time, Vermont only had two gun laws: You couldn’t shoot anybody, and you couldn’t have a silencer on your gun. That changed last year: The state legalized silencers.

...

I’ve voted for Bernie, twice, back in the early 2000s and honestly, I’ve struggled with his votes on guns. The conclusion I’ve come to, after years of thinking about it, is that Bernie just does not get it when it comes to guns. His great virtue as a Vermont politician is that nobody works harder for the state that elected him, but that means his vision can be limited to the inside of Vermont’s borders. Whether he can make that next step, whether he can grasp that there’s more to this country than the Green Mountains, is a question Democratic primary voters need answered, quickly.

http://uproxx.com/news/bernie-sanders-gun-control/2/

[bkkyosemite]

1. Bernie is for background checks,

closing loopholes, and doing more for mental health. I think that pretty much what everyone in this fight is for.

[wendylaroux]

2. correct nt

[pandr32]

3. Thanks for this

It is an important consideration.

[cali]

4. In the general, it will be a big deal- and one.that doesn't favor dems

And all that palaver about Vermont is all wrong .

[earthside]

5. Bernie is very smart.

Strictly politically speaking, the gun issue is a loser for a Democrat in a general election.

Mrs. Clinton can already write-off Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada if Democrats are unwise enough to have her as the presidential nominee. Her crusade for gun control has probably put winning Ohio, Pennsylvania, and possibly Florida in jeopardy.

I don't care what the polls show about the seeming popularity of some gun safety measures -- Democrats don't vote on guns, they vote on economic issues. On the other hand, 'gun nuts' vote, volunteer and contribute with a white hot fervor on this issue.

The sooner Hillary is out of the nomination race and Sen. Sanders can get this gun issue in proper political perspective and concentrate on economic issues, the better for him and for the Democrats chances in November.

"It's the economy, stupid" ... famously a motto from Mrs. Clinton's husband's successful race for the White House in 1992 is still the winning theme. Ironically, it is Sen. Sanders who is adhering to this strategy, not Mrs. Clinton.