There was another mass shooting eight days ago – this time in a country bar in California. It occurred the day after the election and thus was not given the coverage it deserved. However, thanks to the election results and exit polls, it has become increasingly clear that the majority of Americans have turned the corner and are now serious about gun control.
For political messaging, the NRA has used letter grades as a way of registering office holders’ and candidates’ commitment to the anti – gun control position.. An A grade is given to those who have demonstrated with their votes and statements their allegiance to the NRA and the notion of unfettered access to guns. Accordingly, an F grade means the lawmaker wants more gun control laws. The NRA also likes to keep alive the outrageous suggestion that the real intent of gun control advocates is to confiscate guns from all gun owners
Well the NRA and those A grade candidates got a rude awakening on election day. According to this article in the Washington Post 78% of those with premier NRA rankings did not win – with three races still to be called. Gun safety advocates with those F grades next to their names and unabashedly anti -NRA, positions, won their races.
So along with all of the other good news percolating around the country for the Resistance is “these times they are a changin” about gun control.. The NRA’s toxic message of “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people” is not resonating with as many Americans as in the past.. More and more Americans appear to be ready for rational gun safety policy. They have become tired of gun fanatics dominating federal and state law legislation with their anti-gun control propaganda. And they are increasingly sickened by the continued blood bath of mass shootings.
An interesting side note to this phenomena is the story of Lucy McBath in Georgia. Her son was murdered in a parking lot by a gunman who did not like the music he was playing. As a result of his murder, Lucy McBath became ane an ardent gun safety advocate. Next she challenged her district’s House incumbent who was an A list member of the NRA. McBath won that race and now heads to her seat in the House knowing that a majority of her constituents are ready for common sense gun laws to be enacted. . Let’s think of her when we consider making time for gun safety advocacy.
One quick action step is to give our members of Congress a call to say that gun safety measures should be at the top of their legislative priorities. If you are pressed for time, make sure that you reach Jack Bergman’s office so that at least he gets the message. Tell him that his stance on gun laws is now a minority opinion and 2020 is only two years away.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-midterm-results-were-a-mandate-for-congress-to-act-on-guns/2018/11/14/41cf2c28-e79b-11e8-b8dc-66cca409c180_story.html?utm_term=.8886084ea407