NRA steps up lobbying efforts against Connecticut gun proposals
SUSAN HAIGH reports that
The National Rifle Association helped bus hundreds of supporters to the Connecticut Capitol on Monday, the latest sign of its stepped-up presence in a state that hasn't typically posed a challenge to the gun rights organization's mission.
Since the shooting, which left 20 first-graders and six educators dead, the NRA had not been particularly visible in Connecticut until Monday. Hohenwarter said the group has hired two lobbyists for this year's legislative session but has followed the debate from behind the scenes, working with lawmakers and keeping a low public profile.
Monday's "lobby day" was co-sponsored the Connecticut Coalition of Sportsmen, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Connecticut Citizens Defense League.
The NRA helped fund buses to transport gun rights activists from Cabela's to the State Capitol.
Dailycaller.com helped recruit attendees.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) senior vice president Larry Keane told the Daily Caller that he
does not expect too much resistance to his group’s efforts, but conceded, “I’m sure there will be legislators who are hardcore anti-gun who will not be receptive to this information we’re giving them.”
The NSSF is claiming that an assault-weapons ban would cause approximately 1,700 job losses in Connecticut alone. Connecticut gun manufacturers are Colt’s Manufacturing Company, Stag Arms, and O.F. Mossberg & Sons. The NSSF rolled out a $50,000 ad buy for tv commercials in targeted Connecticut areas, including the cities of New Britain and Bristol, in opposition to the ban.
My blood is boiling. Of course, the gun rights coalition is threatening lawmakers with firing workers if they can't continue to manufacture and sell military weapons and ammunition. Don't worry about any innocent people being wounded or killed in the future. The right of wealthy people to make more money is always more important than human life. The rights of gun owners to own anything they desire is more important than the rights of others to live. What kind of country do we live in?
Meanwhile:
According to Marty Issac, President of CT Association Against Gun Violence:
The Public Safety and Security Committee has decided to hold a Public Hearing this Thursday, March 14, at 10:00 am in Room 2C of the Legislative Office Building.
A number of gun bills will be heard. All of the proposals fall short of what we want. But this gives us the opportunity to testify in favor of a comprehensive bill that is based on our agenda as well as the Governor’s proposal and the Task Force Democratic subcommittee report.
If you live in CT and can make the hearing, please testify. If you can't attend, call AND e-mail members of the Public Safety and Security Committee. Tell them you want nothing less than a strong ban on assault weapons and you want magazines of more than ten rounds removed from the state.
The agenda of bills to be discussed at the hearing is broad – but the bills themselves are inadequate. Our message is simple. We want comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation and we want it now!
The "Connecticut Effect" needs to be strong and comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation. Connecticut has Democratic majorities in the General Assembly and the Governor's office. They need to do the right thing.