Oh wow.

[luzribeiro]

If you think that mansplaining about "not assault weapons" and "assault weapons" in light of today's events in Las Vegas is going to be helpful in discussing the huge gun violence problem the USA has, you are the problem.

50+ dead, 400+ taken to hospitals.

Save us all the wisdom you need to share about the bullshit you believe.

This is how these guys handle everything - by dragging us out into the weeds of the mansplains rather than actually addressing the issues.

Don't be a dick.

Comments

[policraticus]

How is the NRA's influence "immense?" As a matter of spending, the NRA's budget is a rounding error for lobbyists for things like the pharmaceutical industry or the banks. The NRA spends a little over $3.3M. Total spending on gun rights by all lobbyists is less than $6M. The US Chamber of Commerce, in contrast, spent $39.9M. So, what qualifies as "immense" seems fairly elastic.

What the NRA's membership does do is vote. They are motivated voters who will come out and support candidates who support gun rights and they will vote against those who do not. If that gives them "immense" power, well that is what voting is supposed to do for citizens. Removing the right of NRA members to vote might prove problematical.

[luzribeiro]

Dude, the entire GOP is in the NRA's pocket. When NRA speaks, the GOP listens and trembles. The NRA may not be giving the biggest share of the party donations, but they sure are the most vocal group. Same with wingnuts like Rush Limbaugh (the GOP even apologized for slighting him). Some groups and some people have ridiculously disproportionate influence over US politics, because they hold key segments in control, segments of the electorate that can decide votes and elections. So will you stop bullshitting me already?

Removing voting rights!? What the fuck are you talking about?

[policraticus]

The GOP listens to the NRA because its members vote.

They vote.

That gives them influence.

Does that seem unfair or illegal to you?

[luzribeiro]

The NRA's influence over the GOP is disproportionate to the number of NRA's membership. That's what I'm saying. If only a fraction of the GOP base are NRA supporters, then why is NRA such a decisive factor for GOP's policies?

Or are you saying the majority of the GOP base are gun nuts? Because somehow I can't believe this.

[policraticus]

I get that. The reason it is disproportionate is that the members of the NRA are dedicated voters. They will drive votes to the GOP both by themselves and by motivating others who agree with them but may not be members.

NRA = Gun nuts? Great argument.

[luzribeiro]

The reason is that radicals tend to be more vocal and better organized than moderates. That's the reason for their disproportionate representation in politics. Especially in a cultural environment where arcane practices that are now considered fringe, are being maintained as the norm, and the mainstream, whereas in any other modern and developed society they are an anachronism. Just look at the comments above. "My dad likes guns, and his dad before him liked guns too". What sort of argument is that!?

These people are making money out of people's dangerous obsessions. Lots of money. And there are plenty of useful idiots who fight their fights for them.

It's not so difficult to have a meaningful and comprehensive gun legislation. Just look around. But of course Americans like to boast in their uniqueness, they think no one can teach them anything, so they keep living in the 19th century on this issue.

Like I said, not really my problem. Not until you guys decide to transfer your trigger-happy mentality abroad, and start bombing shit for fun.

I've said my piece.

[garote]

"My dad likes guns, and his dad before him liked guns too"

That's what you got from that, huh?