{"id":7897,"date":"2013-03-28T12:16:56","date_gmt":"2013-03-28T16:16:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gunpoliticsny.com\/?p=7897"},"modified":"2013-03-28T12:16:56","modified_gmt":"2013-03-28T16:16:56","slug":"new-yorkers-for-gun-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gunpoliticsny.com\/?p=7897","title":{"rendered":"New Yorkers for Gun Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

Looks like Governor Cuomo<\/a> is going to try some astroturfing<\/a> to promote gun control:<\/p>\n

“Yesterday, I noted the creation of\u00a0two new campaign committees, registered with the state Board of Elections: New Yorkers for Gun Safety<\/a> and New Yorkers for Creating Jobs & Cutting Taxes<\/a>. \u00a0It turns out both will be run by people associated with the New York State Democratic Party<\/a> and, according to a person with first-hand knowledge of the groups, are part of a plan by Governor Andrew Cuomo to strengthen the party apparatus … “It’s going to be issue-focused, issue-based,” my source said, and the groups will be “something to organize around …” … The groups will only operate locally and, unlike Cuomo, will only support Democrats … Another person directly familiar with the plans said the groups will push issues, not specific policies …”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is essentially what Mayor Mike<\/a>\u00a0has been trying with\u00a0MAIG<\/a> and Obama’s<\/a> people are trying now with Americans for Responsible Solutions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What antigun politicans simply refuse to accept is that there has been a national discussion on gun control<\/a><\/em> and their side lost<\/span> the debate. \u00a0Being totally unwilling to accept this they keep creating various front groups to promote the agenda.<\/p>\n

The problem with astroturf, though, is that they are unable to sustain themselves. \u00a0They get some attention early on until their story gets old and the media moves on to something else. \u00a0At this point they either try re-organizing and re-branding themselves like the\u00a0Bradys<\/a> (National Council to Control Handguns -> Handgun Control, Inc. -> Brady Campaign) or they fade away like the Million Mom March<\/a>, American Hunters & Shooters Association<\/a> and Americans for Gun Safety<\/a> have. \u00a0I’m thinking NYGS will go the later route.<\/p>\n