sigh, remember when "gun control" was the new third rail of politics?

[Ron]

Ahh, the good ol days when the Dems saw the light and had no interest in disarming the public.

[Fly320s]

Must have been a long time ago.

[SADShooter]

But that was before the elephant in the room grew to 16 trillion. The third rail can eventually become a necessary diversion when it's less dangerous than another rail, i.e. deficit, debt, and the attendant decisions no one wants to deal with..

[grampster]

It still is.

[Monkeyleg]

Grampster's right. It's still the third rail, and they're making it dangerously hotter. They may think they're diverting attention, but the acts of sheriffs and legislatures nationwide show that the public is watching.

[MechAg94]

It seems to me that they are increasing support for gun rights rather.  Putting the arguments in front of people who normally would ignore it. 

The question to me is whether the idiot republicans will back down despite decreasing support for compromise.

[Cliffh]

You're asking about the national debt?  Oooh, look at the shiny thing over there!  

[AJ Dual]

Grampster's right. It's still the third rail, and they're making it dangerously hotter. They may think they're diverting attention, but the acts of sheriffs and legislatures nationwide show that the public is watching.

Yep. 2014 will remind them.

[grampster]

If only the Stupid Party was not so stupid.

[Ron]

This spotlight on firearms should be the perfect opportunity to illustrate where the preponderance of gun violence takes place, who is committing the gun violence and what policies have failed allowing these islands of violence to exist.


Most D's, the media and a large faction of the R's aren't interested in saving the lives or alleviating the inner city poverty where the lawlessness reigns. As long as the violence stays contained to the bad neighborhoods and rarely bleeds out into society at large they are content.

That poverty and lawlessness is the perfect excuse for all their anti liberty power grab policies.

[lee n. field]

If only the Stupid Party was not so stupid.

The Fall Guy Party?

[Battle Monkey of Zardoz]

The question to me is whether the idiot republicans will back down despite decreasing support for compromise.

Not a question of if. It's a question of when. I have no faith in the republicans. None. They will cave.  Then try to window dress is as "we did this because if not, the laws would have been much more restricting. See we helps you".

[T.O.M.]

A question that has crossed my mind is this...with Joe pushing everyone to buy a double barrelled shotgun, and Feinstein and company foaming at the mouth again, how far will they really try to push things?  Go after the EBR's and mags first.  Then handguns.  Then repeating rifles and shotguns.  And, if this is just the first act of this play, and they get things pushed through, how will the courts and SCOTUS rule after setting the bar in Heller?  Will "reasonable restriction" come into play, as I fear it might.  or will they throw it all out.  And if they do throw it out, will we see the Obama admin try to take action, either by executive order as we've seen him do (and which I'd love to see challenged through SCOTUS if he tried to use it as an end-around on one of their rulings), or would he go so far as to go back to the ideas of FDR and try packing the court with his people, even if it means expanding the number of sitting justices?

[Balog]

I think they'll push all kinds of crap, then "compromise" with universal NICS checks and no private sales. And after a few years where they have a solid registery, then things will go rodeo.

[Tallpine]

alleviating the inner city poverty

We're already spending trillions in welfare. 

[Ron]

We're already spending trillions in welfare.  

I didn't say I wanted even more or even any wealth transfer payments.

The failed policies that created the mess need to be addressed. That includes the fostering of a dependency class that stays penned up in urban slums or the "wrong side of the tracks" in rural small town America.

[Monkeyleg]

I think they'll push all kinds of crap, then "compromise" with universal NICS checks and no private sales. And after a few years where they have a solid registery, then things will go rodeo.

I think that's their plan, precisely. They know they can't get an AW ban through, so they'll push for as much as they can, and the Republicans will give a little, and give them "universal checks". Just one more chip from a much-chipped 2nd Amendment.

[Regolith]

The thing with the third rail is that it takes some moron occasionally touching it to remind everyone why it's so dangerous.

[Strings]

Sorry folks, but we're getting what we asked for now...

For as long as I can remember, the Republicans have been able to skate on lip service to gun rights. And we've let them. Now, we get to reap the harvest of doing so...

[seeker_two]

Sorry folks, but we're getting what we asked for now...

For as long as I can remember, the Republicans have been able to skate on lip service to gun rights. And we've let them. Now, we get to reap the harvest of doing so...

This....I find it hard to stifle a derisive laugh when anyone mentions how great Reagan or GWB were on gun rights.....

[Monkeyleg]

Can anyone point to a federal gun law passed under GW?

[seeker_two]

Can anyone point to a federal gun law passed repealed under GW?

FIFY.....

[DustinD]

The undetectable (plastic) weapon ban. 2003 Set to expire again later this year.

Several politicians want to add on to it now, possibly to ban home made plastic gun parts. We would be better off now had we won that fight then. Now with 3D printers it matters more and we won't win.

GW also could have done much better concerning executive orders.

[Strings]

>Can anyone point to a federal gun law passed under GW? <

I'm gonna turn this one around a bit, and go back to a conversation I had with an ex coworker.

Said personage is gay, and VERY staunchly Democrat. When I asked him why (it being VERY slow at work that day), he started going on about how "Democrats support gay rights!". My response was simple: "But what have they actually done, other than talk?"

We (gun owners) have been giving Republicans a pass. Yeah, they MIGHT fight a gun control bill, kinda... until it becomes politically expedient to "compromise", giving the antis some of what they want (while we get nothing in return). And we're supposed to support them for this?

I'm sorry Dick. But if a Democrat started introducing progun bills (national reciprocity, opening the MG registry, repealing all or part of NFA), they would have my vote and support instantly. Until that time, I can't bring myself to support the Republican party at the national level. Between that and their abysmal choices in who goes for the presidency the last two elections, I just can't do it

[Fjolnirsson]

^^^^This. Strings nailed it. Republicans, Democrats...a pox on BOTH their houses. They both lie to their constituents, and say anything we want to hear to get elected, then they follow the money and the power until the next election. Tar and feathers should come back into style.