How will the upcoming elections affect gun rights?

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A quick look at who the "People of the Jackass" have stated will be chairing any of several critical commitees, along with the ones who'd be Speaker and Majority Leader ought to give you some idea.

All we can do is our utmost best to get enough rational folks to actually go to the polls Tuesday to keep it from happening. Or at least limit the damage.
 
I think the immediate effect concerning guns from the elections if the Democrats win a controlling majority in either or both the House and Senate will be ZIP. But, you will see bills not reaching the floor that might concern less restrictions on firearm sales and ownership. You will see more anti-gun bills going to a vote. You will see a much tougher road for conservative nominees for the Federal Court system being "acceptable" to the Democrats who will then control that committee. In the long run, it will not be good for 2A folks regarding firearms as once these folks are elected, they are usually re-elected.
 
We're screwed.
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Pretty much.

The Democrats are angry at the people for DARING to keep them out of their God given place of power and will be in the mood to punish the "Republican Faithful" ... so expect full frontal assaults on gun rights as part of that (right after they set out to destroy the economy and tax us into submission).
 
John Conyers Jr will chair the US House Judiciary Committee.

Now that is bad. :eek:
 
A telling quote from the article.


In Congress, changes in party control would have a significant effect on gun rights. Senate-Majority-Leader-in-waiting Harry Reid has a good record on gun issues, and played a major role in the passage of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Firearms Act. Yet although a Democratic Senate would contain more pro-gun rights Democrats than the chamber has seen for over 15 years, Reid would still be beholden to a caucus in which anti-gun senators would be a very large majority, and in which all presidential contenders would have a poor (Feingold, Bayh) to terrible (Clinton, Gore, Kerry, Obama) record on gun issues.



Again, the salient point is that while there may be individual Dems who are good for gun rights, the party, as a whole, is directed by anti-gun forces.

And in Congress, any pro-Dem would have to kow-tow and pay homage to powerful anti-Dems who have seniority and who will chair committees.

hillbilly
 
The Democrats are angry at the people for DARING to keep them out of their God given place of power and will be in the mood to punish the "Republican Faithful" ... so expect full frontal assaults on gun rights as part of that (right after they set out to destroy the economy and tax us into submission).
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We've been told over and over how the Dems remember that gun control cost them their majority. This is absolutely true. What isn't true is the follow on statement that they will stay away from guns as a result. This was just wishful thinking. The Dems have for years attacked gun ownership at every opportunity. Now, they will be in position to eliminate the chance that 1994 will happen to them again.
 
Well, if the Republicans lose the House you get the following:

Nancy Pelosi becomes Speaker of the House. She sets the agenda for the House and is third in line to become President if either the President or Vice President should be unable to continue in that office (impeachment anyone?)

John Conyers becomes Chairman of the House Judiciary committee. He will have near total control on all gun legislation and nothing positive can leave the committee without his stamp of approval or a serious procedural screwup on his part. Conyers is the only remaining House member to have voted for the original 1968 Gun Control Act and is F-rated by GOA.

If the Republicans lose the Senate:

Either Pat Leahy or (God forbid) Ted Kennedy become Chairman of the Senate Judiciary committee. They have less power than the House chairman; but they still set the Senate agenda for gun legislation.

I don't think you have to be brilliant to realize that even with Leahy in charge, the agenda for gun legislation is going to be an ugly one. With Kennedy "Let's ban .30-30 and all centerfire rifle ammo" in charge I can't even imagine how bad it could be.

Finally, I would just point out that the President has said he will sign an AWB renewal if it reaches his desk. If the Democrats regain control of Congress, they will have an excellent chance to put that statement to the test.
 
We've been told over and over how the Dems remember that gun control cost them their majority.
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Right. Thats why they are mad at the people and intend to punish us for not welcoming their gun grabbing ways.



There is a classism among the elites on the left that just cannot stand the thought of people running their own lives.

It just showed itself recently with Kerry's "soldier = stupid" comments ... because in reality its from the same place as "common man = idiot I was created to control".


There is a classism among the elites on the left that just cannot stand the thought of people running their own lives.
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In Bush's defense (and lately thats become dangerous in these forums):
1) I don't believe Bush wanted to sign an AWB renewal, he knew he wouldn't see one and said he'd sign one as a means of pandering to the left.
2) He said he would sign a renewal of the 94 AWB. A new AWB bill would not be a renewal of the 94 AWB.
 
There are no pro-gun Democrats. There are just liars who will vote Democrat party line under all circumstances.

G
 
There are no pro-gun Democrats. There are just liars who will vote Democrat party line under all circumstances.
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Thats not 100% true.

There are also deluded Democrats that truly are pro-gun that honestly think that their party will let them get anywhere with their pro-gun views.
 
There are no pro-gun Democrats. There are just liars who will vote Democrat party line under all circumstances.
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There are Dems who believe in the 2nd Amendment, and have broken with their party to support the RKBA. The problem is that with a Dem majority and Speaker Pelosi in charge, those Dems will have no political cover. The bills they introduce will likely not get any attention, they will not get committee assignments, and thus won't be able to achieve much for their constituencies. Ultimately, they'll face the choice of going home or towing the party line.

Historically, the Dems tolerated pro-gun Dems because it wasn't that big of an issue to them. 1994 changed that.
 
What buzz_knox says is true under normal conditions, but it will be even worse under the conditions that will exist in Washington for the next two years.

Democrats are going to want revenge ... they are going to be out for blood and there WILL be a body count (just look at the crap they are trying to pull with Ann Coulter's "voting irregularities").

Every prominent Republican and conservative will find themselves under the microscope ... many will be charged with crimes they didn't commit (doesn't matter if there's a conviction or even an arrest, since the DNC controls the MSM they think they can just destroy Republicans and conservatives at their own whim).

The primary function of the DNC for the next two years will be the absolute destruction of their opponents so that they are NEVER left out of the power loop AGAIN. If this means lying about people, they'll do it. If this means doing serious damage to the country, they'll do it. If it means throwing a war, they'll do it. I wouldn't even put murder of political opponents past them (Rush REALLY needs to get that FLA CCW).

For the DNC it will be a gloves off, no quarter, to the death WAR with anyone who dares oppose them (including people in their own party who don't toe the line 110%).
 
Every prominent Republican and conservative will find themselves under the microscope ... many will be charged with crimes they didn't commit (doesn't matter if there's a conviction or even an arrest, since the DNC controls the MSM they think they can just destroy Republicans and conservatives at their own whim).
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They don't have to charge someone with a crime to do this. All they have to do is tailor their investigations and leaks to suggest crimes. Harry Reid will get a pass for his influence peddling while anyone who ever rode the same bus as Abramoff or Foley will get subpoened. Our one hope is that the Dems will overreach; that they will see themselves as having such a mandate that they act with such disregard in terms of their investigations and legislation that people get disgusted with them. Unfortunately, this is a very thin hope.
 
Let's try a contrarian view. Acknowledge that if Democrats take control it will be because they did so for a number of reasons, one of which was NOT gun control. Those same Democrats also have convinced themselves in the past that they lost elections because of their stance on gun control. That said, one could see Democrats simply behaving themselves WRT to gun control knowing they will want to run the table in 08. You do that by shutting up and ignoring an issue that had nothing to do with being elected in 06 and can be the cause of defeat in 08. In other words, gun controls remains a head--republicans win, tails--Democrats lose issue. Best play is to just ignore it and not stir up opposition which they believe sank their ship in the past.

WRT to other issues: republicans are in the mess they are in because of their actions (or lack thereof). Due to Bush's mismanagement of the agenda republicans are in a knife fight. There is no way out without getting hurt.
 
That said, one could see Democrats simply behaving themselves WRT to gun control knowing they will want to run the table in 08. You do that by shutting up and ignoring an issue that had nothing to do with being elected in 06 and can be the cause of defeat in 08. In other words, gun controls remains a head--republicans win, tails--Democrats lose issue. Best play is to just ignore it and not stir up opposition which they believe sank their ship in the past.
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Well, there are three points arguing against that:

1. This assumes a degree of rationality not present in the party leadership. Howard Dean as party chair, Kerry's statement and Liebermann's being forced to run as an Independent are sufficient proof of this.

2. Pelosi has already promised gun control like the US hasn't seen if she becomes Speaker. I don't see her backing down, but, instead, following through on that.

3. There will be many surveys conducted in the next few months. Two questions certain to be on there will be if the person is a gunowner, and who they voted for. If the answer is yes and anything other than Republican, the Dems and the Reps will see this as one of the core Rep values becoming less important. Pelosi (and her fellow travelers) will see this as a sign that, in her words, "the time is ripe" for gun control.

By the way, one of the shining lights in the Dem Party is Obama. He's already called for a ban on all semi-automatic weapons. So no, they aren't willing to leave the issue alone. They and their top candidates are already broadcasting their stances on it.
 
I truly and honestly hope the Democrats will prove all you tinfoil hatters wrong.

Unfortunately, just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not after you. :mad:

I hold hope that the Democrats learned a good lesson from the AWB. I consider myself a liberal, and the Democrats' actions over the next few years will lead me to believe if I can still vote and support Democrats, or if I have to completely give up and vote libertarian. I'm 2/3 there already, i'm just hoping against hope, ere.
 
Point 1--rationality is an issue. That said, Democrats do have hard-nosed political pro's who for the time being are not being heeded. The moonbat wing of the party controls the money. When it is demonstrated European Marxism won't flush in the US, I think control of the party will eventually return to the more rational (note the qualifier). It may take a serious thumping at the polls to get the Democrat power structure to do some self-analysis.

Point 2--Pelosi is a problem for Democrats. Why has the lady been hidden for the last two weeks? She does indeed have extreme gun views as does she have extreme lifestyle views. I am seeing reports which indicate her elevation to Speaker's Chair not a dundeal. Why? Because the rational wing of the party knows her agenda will be difficult to sell to the great unwashed.

Point 3--If the objective of politics is the exercise of power, the rational wing of the party will prevail. I strongly suspect the existence of Democrats who cringe at the thought of opening up an anti-gun agenda knowing its high price and low value. My memory reminds me Bill Clinton is the pol who thinks gun control cost them an election or two. IIRC Algore is of the same opinion. Now how that mixes with Soros and his millions is up for debate. That is also the nature of the upcoming civil war Democrats will face. Is the party to be control by European Marxists or American socialists and which agenda sells best in the US.
 
I'm not going to try to predict how the elections around the country will affect gun rights . But , in my state { wich already has some of the worst and most rediculous gun laws in the country } we are electing a new governor and attorney general . So far it doesn't look good . The anti gun Democrat candidate running for governor is ahead in the polls by 20% . :banghead: All we can do is get out and vote and hope for the best .
 
I hold hope that the Democrats learned a good lesson from the AWB.
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They did ... they learned that if you're going to ban something, don't do it halfassed, don't give your enemies even the slightest bit of hope it'll go away (the "sunset provision") and completely and utterly destroy any opponent ... then salt the earth he stood on to make sure nothing ever comes back up there again.


Many of y'all think us pro gun people hate Democrats ... but my hate is a mere glowing ember compared to the raging inferno of hatred the Democrat leadership has for the NRA and us gun owners.
 
They did ... they learned that if you're going to ban something, don't do it halfassed, don't give your enemies even the slightest bit of hope it'll go away (the "sunset provision") and completely and utterly destroy any opponent
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I find it interesting that I see the fallout of the AWB in a completely different light. You suggest the lesson that they learned is to be more ruthess and attack with increased ferocity. On the other hand, I see their approach to gun control much like the proverbial "boiling frog." I think they got their hand slapped when they tried to turn up the heat too much, trying to cook that frog a little faster. I expect them to try a few of their old tricks, but at a much more measured pace, tucking measures away here and there and slowly turning up the heat.

As I've said before, I sincerely doubt we will see any sweeping legislation as others have suggested. We won't see "AWB II: This Time It's Personal" the very second everyone is sworn in. However, I do think the water might just a tad warmer.
 
Committee heads or not, you still need votes to get bills passed. The anti gun forces (be the Dem or Repub) aren't going to have enough votes to make a majority in the Senate, let alone break a filibuster. Of the seats that the RNC is going to lose in the Senate that I can see happening (Ford has a shot at beating Corker, Webb will probably win, and Casey is all but certain to knock off Santorum's desperation tactics campaign), they're largely pro gunners as well. Even if Brown knocks of DeWine, they're both anti gunners so no loss there.

The House is a tougher nut to crack because there are too many races up in the air to really be able to see what'll happen.

But putting all that aside, I think A) the Dems will have some institutional memory and not want to push another AWB and B) they're going to spend the next few years going after the GOP and Bush over Iraq-gate, Foley-gate, Plame-gate, Halliburton-gate, FISA-gate, etc.

Gun control is just really far down their agenda. Sarah Brady held a press conference early in September here in gun controller friendly Maryland...and the only people who showed up were me and the NRA reporter.

In short...I think it'll be bad, but I think the hyperbole about how bad it'll be is way, way, WAY exaggerated here.
 
I expect them to try a few of their old tricks, but at a much more measured pace, tucking measures away here and there and slowly turning up the heat.
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I'm not sure they can't get the very most controversial stuff passed because it won't fly with the mainstream. What they'll do is pack SCOTUS and mandate unpopular changes.

Once they get the court packed with wacko liberals, then we're screwed. No way to get rid of 'em. The Dems don't have to take the "whack" for passing unpopular legislation. Blame is shuffled off to a Justice that's got a gig for life.
They did ... they learned that if you're going to ban something, don't do it halfassed, don't give your enemies even the slightest bit of hope it'll go away (the "sunset provision") and completely and utterly destroy any opponent ... then salt the earth he stood on to make sure nothing ever comes back up there again.
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Remember, McCain-Feingold is totally unconstitutional. Never hold up in court.

Eminent domain for tax purposes is unconstitutional. Never hold up in court.

If you can't legislate, mandate. Once the Supreme Court rules, the earth is salted

Our biggest problem right now is Pelosi. She's not only ultra liberal, but she's smart, power hungry, and totally ruthless. Nut jobs like Kerry and Kennedy are too busy basking in their own glory. Durbin is just a doof. She has an agenda and power. House majority leader is argueably one of the very most important positions in government. She'd control ALL spending bills, committee assignments, etc.
 
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