Nine Senators

[derby378]

Max Baucus (MT)
Mark Begich (AK)
Bob Casey (PA)
Russ Feingold (WI)
Mary Landrieu (LA)
Ben Nelson (NE)
Harry Reid (NV)
Jon Tester (MT)
Jim Webb (VA)

As long as these nine Senators stand their ground, even if Al Franken wins in MN against Norm Coleman, a new semi-auto ban is going to be a very hard sell, indeed.

There is still hope that we can finally put this Luddite approach to public safety behind us and work on something real.

Discuss!

[jody]

1. IMO some of the new Dem congresspersons will become members of Blue Dog Democrats.

http://www.house.gov/ross/BlueDogs/Member%20Page.html

I believe many Blue Dogs are rated A by pro RKBA organizations.

[FLAprogressive]

4. It really sucks that RKBA is really the only issue the Blue Dogs are good about

They are all corporate shills otherwise.

[rangersmith82]

7. If They would stand up and fight for gun owners rights

They would be necessary.

I can't believe we have become the anti gun party....

Why can't we leave the Constitution alone and work on real issues????

[hoplophile]

2. I hope you are correct. It bothers me though that the both the DNC and P.E. Obama's

web site state that they wish to re-enact the AWB.

[derby378]

3. This might cheer you up a bit

Here's a blast from the past, courtesy of the Brady Campaign:

In statewide and local races in Illinois yesterday, Brady-backed candidates won targeted races for Governor, Attorney General and key state legislative races.

In another sign of power for the gun violence prevention movement in Illinois, voters in Cook County sent a strong message to the legislature when they passed Referendum Number One by what appears to be more than an 80 percent margin. The referendum urges the legislature to ban deadly military-style assault weapons in Illinois.

Brady-endorsed candidate Rod Blagojevich was re-elected Governor, with his defeat of NRA-endorsed Judy Baar Topinka. In the wake of the expiration of the federal assault weapons ban, Gov. Blagojevich pushed for a statewide ban on deadly assault weapons like UZIs and AK-47s.

http://www.bradycampaign.org/media/release.php?release=858

This was back in November 2006. So far, no statewide ban in IL. You know they've been frustrated by this for the past two years.

But wait, there's more:

In key races throughout the nation, more and more supporters of sensible gun laws are winning as an apparent historical wave election takes shape...

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle twice vetoed the NRA's top legislative priority there, was targeted with almost $300,000 in NRA independent expenditure funding, and won reelection. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was a nemesis to the NRA, won easy reelection. And Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, both of whom stood up to the gun lobby, were reelected.

"We are watching what appears to be a very good night for all of us who want to do something to reduce gun violence in America," said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

http://www.bradycampaign.org/media/release.php?release=850

Also issued in November 2006. And where, pray tell, is HR 1022 at this moment? Stalled in committee. And what did Gov. Sebelius do earlier this year? She repealed the KS law that outlawed civilian posession of full-auto even with NFA clearance. You think she'll be touted by the Brady Campaign anymore after that?

There is hope, despite all their talk, that the Bradys will be sitting on their hands for the next two years as well, watching all their pet bills go nowhere on the Senate floor.

[Howzit]

5. "put this Luddite approach to public safety behind us"

The AWB is not about public safety - it has no logical foundation in that context. The question then is why do certain politicians not trust the public to own these guns? My gut instinct is that a person who is affraid of me without any reason may be up to no good themselves.

[derby378]

6. I know, but that's how the concept is usually marketed

There's definitely a trust issue here.

[rangersmith82]

8. Yep

Why am i not trusted as a gun owner???

[Howzit]

9. Would the question be clearer if you said

What evidence do you have that I am not trusted to own guns?

Is that what you meant?