Gun Politics New York

The NRA is blowing off Obama’s request to work together for more gun control:

“… “Why should I or the NRA go sit down with a group of people that have spent a lifetime trying to destroy the Second Amendment in the United States?” said Wayne LaPierre …”

True, it’s not likely anything positive would come out of such a meeting.  USA Today also notes:

“… Given its political and financial strength, the NRA is probably in a position to block any new gun legislation, especially in the Republican-run House …”

Yes, but it goes deeper than that according to the latest polling:

“… Overall, 43% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the president’s performance. Fifty-seven percent (57%) disapprove …”

Obama isn’t acting from a position of strength either in Congress or with the public which doesn’t want more gun control either:

“… Voters were asked: “Please tell us if gun laws in America are adequate, too harsh, or too lenient for law-abiding citizens.”   An overwhelming 75% of voters think that gun laws are either adequate or too harsh for law-abiding citizens (33% think gun laws are too harsh). Also, 57% of Democratic voters consider gun laws to be adequate or too harsh, and only 36% think they’re too lenient …”

He doesn’t even have the support of his Democrat base on the issue.

Bottom line: gun control is going nowhere in this Congress.

Obama penned an op-ed at the Arizona Daily Star over the weekend regarding gun control where he calls for improving NICS and enforcing existing laws.

Some thoughts on this:

1. There’s no way the antis can be happy with this.  Brady, NYAGV, etc. were clearly going for magazine prohibition via H.R. 308.
2. He didn’t say he was endorsing Schumer’s bill S-436, which curtains but does not outright prohibit private firearms transfers.  MAIG wants this and despite their press release I would guess they’re not very happy either.
3. Obama goes out of his way not to offend gunnies: “… in fact, my administration has not curtailed the rights of gun owners – it has expanded them, including allowing people to carry their guns in national parks and wildlife refuges …”
4. I don’t think Obama wants to deal with this issue and doesn’t plan to spend much political capital on it.  The op-ed comes across as a half-hearted effort designed more to silence his critics than make substantive policy.

Fresh off the effort to try and intimidate Nan Hayworth, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence is trying the same thing with Michael Grimm:

“… In response to Tucson, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-Garden City) introduced legislation (H.R. 308) that would ban the manufacture, importation and transfer of large-capacity ammunition magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds … a group of concerned citizens (including the writers), clergy and victims of gun violence met with Congressman Michael Grimm to request his support of H.R. 308. While the meeting was cordial and much common ground was established his support for this vital legislation is still pending “further review.” …”

He’s blowing them off.  The bill is only about a page long.  It doesn’t take long to read it.

“… Among his concerns were the real world outcomes of implementing such a ban …”

Meaning the political consequences for him.

The last time I recall NYAGV trying to pressure Grimm’s predecessor Vito Fossella, they had less than a dozen people (which included NYAGV staff and opposition party functionaries) show up to protest outside his district office.  From a political standpoint, these people have nothing.  They don’t have money, they don’t have much of a constituency and they don’t have a voting block to help or hinder his re-election plans.  Grimm ought to continue ignoring them.