Download - 9 Reasons Why Progress on Stronger Gun Laws Is Within Reach

7/30/2019 9 Reasons Why Progress on Stronger Gun Laws Is Within Reach

1/12

1 Center or American Progress | 9 Reasons Why Progress on Stronger Gun Laws Is Within Reach

9 Reasons Why Progress on

Stronger Gun Laws Is Within ReachArkadi Gerney and Chelsea Parsons May 7, 2013

In he weeks ha ollowed he ragic shooing a Sandy Hook Elemenary School in

Newown, Connecicu, his pas December, advocaes or sronger gun laws ocused

heir eors on a proposal o require background checks or mos gun sales beween

unlicensed buyers and sellers o preven criminals and oher dangerous people rom eas-

ily buying guns wih no quesions asked. Tree weeks ago, however, he Senae came sixvoes shor o he 60 voes required o advance his legislaion, known as he Manchin-

oomey amendmen, ha would have expanded gun background checks o all gun

shows, online purchases, and adverised sales.1

Some observers were quick o poin o he voe as evidence o he Naion ie

Associaions, or NRs, enduring power, bu here are several reasons o believe ha

he gun lobbys dominance is in jeopardy and ha is vicory in he Senae may have

been a pyrrhic one. Below are nine reasons why progress on sronger gun laws is, in

ac, sill wihin reach.

1. Swing-state momentum

In April 2008 presidenial candidaes Barack Obama and Hillary Clinon, hen

Democraic senaors o Chicago and New York, respecively, were in a monh-long

piched batle o win he Pennsylvania primary. Te cones played ou as Sen. Obamas

remarks a a San Francisco undraising even regarding clinging o guns and religion

became public. Te remarks se o a resorm and sen boh candidaes ino a mode o

proving heir pro-gun bona des in he run-up o he Pennsylvania primary. Te Clinon

campaign even circulaed mail pieces asking, Where does Barack Obama really sand

on guns? and suggesing ha he avored a oal ban on handguns.2 While Pennsylvania

does have he second-larges concenraion o NR members o any sae,3 i was odd o

see candidaes in a Democraic primary going so ar o sress heir pro-gun posiions in a

sae ha suers high raes o gun crime.


2/12


Around he same ime in early 2008, a small group o leading gun-violence-prevenion

advocaes and unders developed a sraegy o ocus resources on a handul o key pur-

ple saes, wih hree saes a he op o he lis: Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Virginia.

Wha ollowed was a concered eor o build coaliions o mayors and law enorcemen,

srenghen he voices o gun-violence survivors, develop in-sae gun-violence-prevenion

organizaions, and cones elecions. Te rui o ha sraegy is eviden oday.

Pennsylvania

Over the past ve years, Mayors Against Illegal Guns has built a coalition

o more than 150 mayors across Pennsylvania,4 and the nations strongest

state-level gun advocacy group, CeaserePA, has built a vast network o

grassroots supporters.5 These eorts helped turn Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA)

and Pat Toomey (R-PA)both o whom received an A rating rom the

NRAinto advocates or tighter gun background checks.6 The eorts also

infuenced two Republicans in the Pennsylvania U.S. House delegationRep. Mike Fitzpatrick and Rep. Pat Meehanto support comprehensive

background checks.7

ColoradoOver the past ve years in Colorado, a small band o survivors o the 1999

Columbine High School mass shooting, along with amily members o

victims, have teamed with local mayors and other advocates, undertaking

a series o campaigns to advance gun-violence-prevention legislation. In

the midst o his re-election campaign in 2010, or example, Sen. Michael

Bennet (D-CO) endorsed background checks on all gun-show sales,

provoking the NRA to double down on its eorts to promote his opponent

Ken Buck.8 But as the campaign played out, Bucks extreme positions on

gunsincluding his misconduct in a case against a corrupt gun dealer9

became a liability.

Sen. Bennet won the support o Colorado sportsmen,10 and even NRA board

member Bob Barr called out Ken Buck on his gun extremism.11 These eorts

helped tilt a tight race in avor o Sen. Bennet and, along with the Aurora ma

shooting in July 2012, they provided an impetus to advance gun-violence-p

vention legislation within the state. Two months ago those years o preparin

the ground in Colorado proved ruitul: The state legislature passed and Gov.

John Hickenlooper (D) signed comprehensive gun reorm legislation which

cluded universal background checks and a ban on high-capacity magazines

VirginiaIn Virginia the gains have been more limited. The Virginia Tech shooting

in 2007 put guns in the spotlight, and survivors o the shooting, as well a

amily members o victims, have developed into the states leading advo

cates or expanded background checks. In the years since the shooting,

however, the state legislature has consistently blocked the background-

check measure and reversed a law passed in the 1990s to limit handgun

sales to one handgun per month.13

But there is evidence o progress. In 2010 a $450,000 independent expe

diture ocused on gun background checks was credited or the deeat o

Republican Keith Fimian by 900 votes in a U.S. House race or the district

where the NRA is headquartered.14 The gun issue will likely be contested

again in Virginias 2013 races.

Te botom line: Wih advocaes or sronger gun laws gaining ground in Pennsylvania,

Colorado, and Virginia, he prospecs naionally are brigh.


3/12


2. Evolving demographics

Our counry is undergoing a culure shi on guns. While he number o guns in circulaion

in he counry has coninued o rise,15 he percenage o households ha own guns has been

seadily declining or he pas hree decades, reaching a low o 34 percen in 2012, down

rom an average o 50 percen in he 1970s.16 Fewer Americans own guns, bu he ones who

do are likely o own more guns han ever. Driving his rend are declining gun-ownershipraes among young people. Daa rom he General Social Survey, a public-opinion survey

conduced every wo years, ound ha household gun-ownership raes among people

under 30 ell o 23 percen in 2012. Tis is down rom a high o 47 percen in he 1970s.17

No only are ewer young people choosing o own guns han in previous generaions,

bu hey are also expressing evolving views on he role o guns in American culure. An

April 2013 poll commissioned by he Cener or American Progress, Campus Progress,

and Mayors Agains Illegal Guns and conduced by Democraic pollser Mike Bocian

and epublican pollser Bob Carpener reveals ha young Americans have increasing

concerns abou he widespread presence o guns in sociey. Seveny percen o respon-dens under he age o 30 agreed ha he gun culure in our sociey has goten ou o

conrol, and 52 percen said ha hey eel saer in communiies wih ewer guns, wih

only 32 percen holding he opposie view.18 Par o his concern abou guns may come

rom personal experience wih gun violence. Tiry percen o people under he age o

30 repored having been personally aeced or knowing someone who has been aeced

by gun violence, and 60 percen expressed concern ha gun violence may aec hem

or heir communiies in he uure.19 Tese numbers were even higher among young

Arican Americans, Lainos, and Asian Americans: Collecively, 73 percen repored

worrying abou being personally aeced by gun violence in he uure.20

Tese views abou, as well as he experience o, he gun culure among younger Americans

appear o ranslae ino higher suppor or specic policies. Te Bocian and Carpener

poll shows ha while background checks or all gun sales are popular among Americans

over he age o 3086 percen said ha hey suppor such a lawi is even more popular

among Americans aged 18 o 29, wih 92 percen saying ha hey suppor he measure.21

3. A new center of gravity

wo weeks ago Mayors Agains Illegal Guns celebraed is sevenh birhday. On April 25,

2006, 15 mayors rom across he counryDemocras, epublicans, and independens

alikegahered o discuss how hey could work ogeher o address he issue o gun vio-

lence in heir communiies. As mayors, hey were he eleced ofcials who he public held

responsible or crime, and as mayors, hey were expeced o solve problems raher han jus

endlessly debae hem. Ta day hose 15 mayors, led by New York Ciy Mayor Michael

Bloombergnow an independen bu hen a epublicanand Boson Mayor om


4/12


Menino (D), ormed a coaliion ocused on sharing bes pracices o comba gun crime

and collecively advocaing or acion in Washingon. Seven years laer Mayors Agains

Illegal Guns has grown o almos 1,000 mayors wih 1.5 million grassroos supporers, and

oday i represens he leading organizaion in he gh or sronger gun laws.22

Likewise, survivors o gun violence have become ar more organized. Former

ep. Gabby Giords (D-AZ) and her husband Mark Kelly ormed Americans oresponsible Soluions o advocae or sronger gun laws and cones he 2014 elecions.

And in he wake o Newown, aeced amilies have organized, come ogeher, and been

among he mos eecive advocaes or sronger gun laws in he las several monhs.

Tis laes wave o organizaional developmen ollows a previous eor launched in

2000 by Americans or Gun Saey and oher groups o gain racion on gun issues by

reraming he issue as one o gun saey raher han gun conrol. Tese eors made

some headway in redening he rheoric o he gun debae, bu he shi in message and

policy objecives was no mached by a massive organizing campaign o orm a new

bulwark o advocaes or sronger gun laws.

Te work o Mayors Agains Illegal Guns, Americans or esponsible Soluions, and

ohers is an atemp o once again redene he issue. Te mayors and oher rising advo-

caes have come o ocus no on banning paricular kinds o guns bu on measures such

as comprehensive background checks, which are designed o keep all guns ou o he

hands o criminals and oher dangerous people. Tis approach, designed o boh respec

he righs o responsible gun owners and crack down on criminal access o rearms, has

ound broad public suppor. Even more imporan han his more ocused se o policy

objecives, he mayors group and he oher new advocaes are bringing organizaion,

sophisicaed advocacy, grassroos aciviy, and nancial backing o he issue.

4. Widening divide between the NRA leadership and public opinion

even among gun owners

I has never been clearer ha he NR leadership does no represen he opinion o

mos Americansor even mos gun owners. While he NR leadership opposes any

expansion in gun background checks,23 polls show ha beween 80 percen and 90

percen o Americans suppor expanded background checks.24 Even gun owners, he

consiuency ha he NR claims o speak or, overwhelmingly suppor expanded

background checks. And remarkably, NR members hemselves suppor expanding

background checks o ensure ha criminals can easily buy guns. A poll by epublican

pollser Frank Lunz las summer ound ha 74 percen o NR members suppor back-

ground checks or all gun sales.25 A similar CBS News/New York Times poll, conduced

in January soon aer he Sandy Hook shooing, ound ha 85 percen o NR house-

holds suppored background checks on all gun sales.26


5/12


Tis disconnec beween he exreme posiions aken by he NR leadership and he

desires o a vas majoriy o Americansincluding gun ownerso enac common-

sense gun-law reorms canno be susained. Te NR leaderships inransigence on

issues such as expanded gun background checks has alienaed i no only rom mos

Americans bu also rom increasing numbers o gun owners. A Gallup poll conduced

in December 2012 bears his ou. Fory-nine percen o gun owners said ha he NR

represened heir views on guns only someimes or never. 27

5. The NRAs path not followed

Once upon a ime he NR was a sporsmens organizaion ha ocused on marks-

manship and huning and had plans o move is headquarers o Colorado Springs o

enhance is ocus on recreaional shooing aciviies.28 Bu an inernal coup a he NRs

annual meeing in Cincinnai in 1977 resuled in he organizaions leadership being

aken over by a group o hardliners ocused on esablishing i as a premier ideological

advocacy group in Washingon.29

Even aer his ransormaion ollowing wha became known as he Cincinnai evol,

he NR would sil l ake an occasional moderae posiion on sensible proposals o keep

guns ou o he hands o criminals. Following he Columbine High School shooing, or

example, he NR suppored requiring background checks a gun shows, going as ar as

o release a media campaign in suppor o he proposal iled Be easonable.30 In he

wake o Columbine, he NR saed is suppor or absoluely gun-ree, zero-olerance,

oally sae schools.31 Bu in he wake o Newown, by conras, a proposal o pu more

guns in schools was he cenerpiece o he NRs response.32

In recen years he NR has aken an increasingly exreme posiion on every gun policy

issue and even on maters ha have only a angenial relaionship o guns. For he rs

ime in is hisory, or example, he NR scored voes on Supreme Cour nominees or

he nominaions o Sonia Soomayor and Elena Kagan.33 Tis acion pu Democraic

senaors in an impossible posiion: mainain a perec record wih he gun lobby or

abandon a Supreme Cour nominee on wha is one o he mos imporan voes a sena-

or ever akes. In scoring he nominees, he NR likely appealed o a base o members

who ideniy wih he ea Pary, bu i alienaed Democras, independens, and some

epublicans who hough ha Soomayor and Kagan were well-qualied nominees.

Scoring he Supreme Cour voes or he rs ime in is hisory also creaed a way or

he NR o avoid endorsing Democras such as Sen. Harry eid (D-NV) in 2010 by

acoring nongun-relaed voes ino NR raings, which had he eec o lowering ra-

ings or many Democras. Sen. eid has a long hisory o supporing gun righs, and

he shepherded gun-lobby prioriy legislaion such as he righ o carry guns in naional

parks hrough a Senae dominaed by Democras. Bu wih he new, more ideologically


6/12


driven NR leadership and is all-or-nohing approach, he NR sa on he sidelines as

Sen. eid aced a igh elecion in 2010 wih epublican Senae nominee Sharron Angle.

While no endorsing Sen. eid may have appealed o a base o NR members who

dislike he senaor or reasons ha have nohing o do wih guns, such as his suppor

or Obamacare, i also sen a message o Democras, independens, and independen-

minded epublicans who had been supporive o gun righs: Te NRs decision mak-ing is now being driven by he prerogaives o a broader ideological agenda ha in some

cases has nohing o do wih guns.

wo weeks ago Sen. eid gave his response o he NR leaders: I is all or nohing,

hen youll ge nohing. Te Senae majoriy leader voed no only or expanded back-

ground checks bu also suppored bans on assaul ries and high-capaciy magazines,

and he reversed his 2009 posiion supporing a measure ha would have guted sae

laws on concealed gun carrying.34 Likewise, seven oher NR A-raed senaorsSens.

Bob Casey (D-PA); Joe Donnelly (D-IN); Marin Heinrich (D-NM); Joe Manchin

(D-WV); John eser (D-M); Pa oomey (-PA); and Mark Warner (D-VA)pared ways wih he NR leadership on he background-check voe.35

6. Democrats and progressives are re-engaged

In 1993 and 1994 Congress passed he Brady Handgun Violence Prevenion Ac and he

assaul-weapons ban. Laer in 1994, however, Democras los boh houses o Congress.

Tis deea, along wih he noion ha i was ighly ied o gun poliics, gave rise o he

myh o he NRs elecoral omnipoence. Tere were some races ha year where guns

plausibly played a role, such as Democraic ep. Jack Brookss loss in exas. Bu herewere many oher races, such as he deea o House Speaker om Foley (D-WA), where

claims abou he impac o he gun issue are demonsrably alse.36 Neverheless, he

myh o Democraic vulnerabiliy on guns ook hold.

In he wake o 1994, a sor o Sockholm syndromehe condiion associaed wih

kidnapping vicims who begin o empahize wih heir kidnappersoverook he

Democraic Pary. For almos wo decades he Washingon orhodoxy, even among

Democras, has been ha i is bes o avoid he gun issue, no mater how grievous he

public policy implicaions o playing poliically dead are or how exreme he NRs posi-

ions are. Te passiviy o he abused has encouraged only abuse rom he abuser.

Ta orhodoxy o avoiding guns has remained remarkably durable among Democraic

leaders in Washingon. In recen years, however, cracks have begun o emerge, and

Newown broke i apar. Wih he leadership o Presiden Obama, Vice Presiden Joe

Biden, Sen. eid, and House Minoriy Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Democras once

again made ghing gun crime and reducing gun violence a cenral ene o he pary.


7/12


Tough our Senae Democras voed agains background checks wo weeks ago, ha

voe will no be wihou consequences. As ormer Whie House Chie o Sa Bill

Daleys Washington Postcolumn several days aer he background-check voe por-

ends,37 here will now be a price or breaking ranks on guns.

7. Recent election results

I he convenional wisdom has been ha he NR is an almighy juggernau ha canno

be deeaed when i decides o spend money on a campaign, ha wisdom ailed specacu-

larly in he 2012 elecionsa campaign season in which he NR spen more han $17

million.38 Te Sunligh Foundaion, an organizaion ha aims o increase ransparency

and accounabiliy in Washingon, looked a he reurn on invesmen o he independen

expendiures o all major ouside groups in he 2012 elecion by evaluaing wha percen-

age o he dollars spen aided he candidaes who won. Te oundaion deermined ha no

group perormed worse han he NR Poliical Vicory Fund, he NRs poliical acion

commitee, which saw a less han 1 percen reurn on invesmen.39

More han 99 perceno he dollars ha he NR spen wen o losing campaigns. Furhermore, is hard o poin

o any clear example o how he NR helped a curren member o Congress win any race

ha was dened by he gun issue in any recen elecion.

In conras, advocaes or sronger gun laws have recenly proven o be exremely eec-

ive a inuencing key congressional races. In 2012 pro-gun ep. Joe Baca (D-CA)

learned he hard way as Keih Fimian learned in Virginia in 2010: aking he exreme

posiions o he NR leadership can have signican consequences or an elecion

in a compeiive disric. More han $3 million in independen expendiures by a

Bloomberg-unded super PAC swung an elecion ha hen-ep. Baca enered heavilyavored o win.40 Likewise, in an Illinois special elecion his February, Democraic can-

didae obin Kelly deeaed he ron runner, ormer ep. Debbie Halvorson (D-IL),

wih he suppor o a variey o groups urging igher gun laws.41

8. Closing the intensity gap

For decades he convenional wisdom has been ha alhough more Americans may sup-

por srenghening gun laws han weakening gun laws, gun-righs advocaes hold heir

views more inensely. For gun-righs advocaes, he hinking holds ha he issue is oen

a basis or making a phone call o heir eleced represenaives, conribuing money o

campaigns, or deciding who o voe or, while hose on he oher side are rarely so moi-

vaed. Tis descripion has perhaps been ap in he pas, bu here is subsanial evidence

ha he inensiy gap has closed.


8/12


A series o polls have measured he publics reacion o he recen background-check

voe. A Fox News poll conduced days aer he voe, or example, showed ha hree

imes as many Americans68 percensaid ha hey were likely o suppor a candi-

dae who voed or expanded background checks, as opposed o he 23 percen who

said ha hey were likely o suppor a candidae who opposed expanded background

checks.42 Polling on specic senaors corroboraes his picure:

In he wake o he background-check voe in New Hampshire, epublican Sen. Kelly

Ayotes approval raing dropped 15 poins below he level i was a las all. Fiy

percen o New Hampshire residens repored ha Sen. Ayotes background-check

posiion made hem less likely o suppor her, and only 23 percen said ha her posi-

ion earned her greaer suppor.43

In Pennsylvania Sen. oomeys approval raing rose o is highes levels ever aer his

leadership on he background-check amendmen. His suppor among Democras and

independens is higher, and his suppor among epublicans is unchanged.44

Oher opponens o background checks, such as Sens. Mark Begich (D-AK), Je Flake

(-AZ), Dean Heller (-NV), Lisa Murkowksi (-AK), and ob Porman (-OH),

have all seen declines in public suppor in he wake o he voe.45

Te polling suggess ha he long-held convenional wisdom abou he inensiy o sup-

por on gun issues is no longer valid.

9. The numbers

Te remarkable disjuncion beween he policiesor lack hereoha we have in

place o keep guns ou o he hands o dangerous people and he scale o gun violence in

he Unied Saes is evidence o he gun lobbys pas success. Bu i is also evidence o is

presen vulnerabiliy.

Te scale o gun violenceno jus mass shooings bu he everyday gun massacres ha

occur across big ciies and small owns all over he counryis no abaing. I is a prob-

lem ha is disinc o he Unied Saes. I is a problem ha is inconroveribly linked

o weak laws ha give criminals and oher dangerous people easy access o guns. I is a

problem ha cries ou or acion.


9/12


Te ollowing numbers ell he ale:

33: Te average number o people murdered wih a gun in he Unied Saes every day.46

283: Te average number o people sho in he Unied Saes every day47

40: Te average number o children and eenagers sho in he Unied Saes every day.48

10 times higher: Te accidenal-rearms deah rae among children in he Unied

Saes compared o oher high-income counries.49 31,000: Te average number o homicides, suicides, and aal accidens involving re-

arms in he Unied Saes every year.50 6.9 times higher: Te homicide rae o he Unied Saes compared o 22 high-income

counries.51

85 percent: Te percenage o atemped suicides wih a gun in he Unied Saes ha

resul in aaliies.52

8 times higher: Te rearm suicide rae among children in he Unied Saes com-

pared o oher high-income counries.53

500 percent: Te percenage ha he risk o homicide increases when a gun is presen

in a domesic-violence siuaion.54

57 percent: Te percenage o mass shooings ha began wih he argeing o a girl-

riend, spouse, or ormer inimae parner.55

63: Te number o U.S. law-enorcemen ofcers killed wih rearms in 2011.56

6.6 million: Te esimaed number o guns sold each year in he Unied Saes wihou

a background check.57

80 percent: Te percenage o conviced criminals who acquired he guns used in heir

crimes hrough a privae ranser.58 90 seconds: Te amoun o ime i akes o complee 91 percen o background checks.59

38 percent lower: Te number o women killed wih a rearm by an inimae parner

in saes ha require background checks or all handgun sales, compared o saes hado no require such background checks.60

2.5 times higher: Te average expor rae o crime guns in saes ha do no require

background checks or all handgun sales a gun shows, compared o saes ha do

require such background checks.61


10/12


Conclusion

Te Senae voe on April 17, 2013, was only he rs round in he newly invigoraed

movemen o enac common-sense legislaion o reduce gun violence in our counry.

And while a moderae biparisan proposal o expand background checks ailed o gain

he 60 voes necessary o overcome a libuser, a majoriy o senaors voed in avor o

his legislaion, which has overwhelming public suppor in all corners o he counry.

As Presiden Obama said in his saemen aer he voe, We can sill bring abou mean-

ingul changes ha reduce gun violence, so long as he American people don give up

on i.62 Tere are many reasons o be hopeul ha wih srong leadership in he Whie

House, courageous lawmakers in Congress, well-organized and passionae grassroos

advocaes, and overwhelming public suppor, we will succeed in enacing measures o

preven gun violence and make all o our communiies saer.

Arkadi Gerney is a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress. Chelsea Parsons is

Associate Director for Crime and Firearms Policy at the Center.


11/12


Endnotes

1 Aaron Blake, Manchin-Toomey gun amendment ails, TheWashington Post, April 17, 2013, available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/04/17/manchin-toomey-gun-amendment-ails/.

2 Ben Smith, Clinton mailing attacks Obama on guns, Politi-co, May 4, 2008, available at http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0508/Clinton_mail_attacks_Obama_on_guns.

html.

3 Kevin Cirilli, Ed Rendel l: Bob McDonn ell coward, wuss, Po-litico, December 19, 2012, available at http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/rendell-mcdonnell-coward-wuss-85333.html.

4 Peter Jackson, Pa. Mayors hit bill to limit local un-controlpower,The Pocono Record, March 27, 2012, avail-able at http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120327/NEWS90/120329725/-1/rss01.

5 CeaseFirePA, available at http://www.ceaserepa.org/ (lastaccessed May 2013).

6 Jennier Steinhauer, A Senators Search or an Ally Keeps aGun Bill Alive, The New York Times, April 10, 2013, availableat http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/11/us/politics/com-promise-on-background-checks.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0; Ivey DeJesus, On Toomey-Manchin gun legislation,

Sen. Bob Casey approves; House Republicans hand mixedreaction, The Patriot News, April 10, 2013, available at http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ss/2013/04/back-ground_checks_toomey_casey.html.

7 Jonathan Tamari, Fitzpatrick, Meehan embrace back-ground checks or gun buyers, Philly.com, January 18,2013, available at http://articles.philly.com/2013-01-18/news/36396546_1_background-checks-weapons-and-high-capacity-clips-background-check-system.

8 OpenSecrets.org, National Rie Assn IndependentExpenditures: Election c ycle: 2010, available at http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/indexpend.php?cmte=C00053553&cycle=2010&txt (last accessed May 2013).

9 Campaign Money Watch, Ken Bucks Unethical BehaviorHelped Gun Dealer; Gun Dealer Later Gave CampaignMoney, Press release, 2010, available at http://www.cam-paignmoneywatch.com/mediacenter/buck-gun-dealer.

10 OpenSecrets.org, Bull Moose Sportsmens Alliance backedSenator Michael Bennet in 2010, available at http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000060465(lastaccessed May 2013).

11 Bob Barr, Bucks reprimand was no youthul indiscretion,The Denver Post, October 18, 2010, available at http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_16350207.

12 Matthew DeLuca, Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper signslandmark gun-control bills, NBC News, March 20,2013, available at http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/20/17387348-colorado-gov-hickenlooper-signs-landmark-gun-control-bills?lite.

13 Laura Vozella, McDonnell signs bill liting one-handgun-per-month limit, Virginia Politics, February 28, 2012,available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virgin-ia-politics/post/mcdonnell-signs-bill-liting-one-handgun-per-month-limit/2012/02/28/gIQAtT0kgR_blog.html.

14 Amanda Turkel, Michael Bloomberg Takes On The NationalRie AssociationAnd Wins, The Hungton Post, No-vember 5, 2010, available at http://www.hungtonpost.com/2010/11/05/michael-bloomberg-nra-wins_n_779468.html; Gerry Connolly, Politicians With Courage Can Win,The New York Times, December 17, 2012, available at http://www.nytimes.com/roomordebate/2012/12/17/is-the-gun-lobby-invincible/politicians-with-courage-can-win.

15 Jonathan Stray, Gun Violence in America: The 13 Key Ques-tions (With 13 Concise Answers),The Atlantic, February 4,2013, available at http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/02/gun-violence-in-america-the-13-key-ques-tions-with-13-concise-answers/272727/#howmanyguns.

16 Sabrina Tavernise and Robert Gebelof, Share o Homeswith Guns Shows 4-Decade Decline, The New YorkTimes, March 9, 2013, available at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/us/rate-o-gun-ownership-is-down-survey-shows.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0.

17 Ibid.

18 GBA Strategies and Chesapeake BeachConsulting,Millennials Say Gun Culture Has Gotten Ou t oControl (2013), available at http://www.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Natlguns13m1-041613.pd.

19 Ibid.

20 Ibid.

21 Ibid.

22 Demand Action to End Gun Violence, About, available athttp://www.demandaction.org/about (last accessed May

2013).

23 National Rie Association-Institute or Legislative Action,Letter rom NRA Institute or Legislative Action Execu-tive Director Chris Cox to the United States Senate OnBackground Checks, April 10, 2013, available at http://www.nraila.org/news-issues/news-rom-nra-ila/2013/4/letter-rom-nra-institute-or-legislative-action-executive-director-chris-cox-to-the-united-states-senate-on-background-checks.aspx.

24 Sarah Dutton and others, 9 in 10 back universal gunbackground checks, CBS News, January 17, 2013,available at http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-34222_162-57564386-10391739/9-in-10-back-universal-gun-back-ground-checks/; Dana Blanton, Fox News poll: Majoritiessupport new gu n measures, Fox News, March 22, 2013,available at http://www.oxnews.com/politics/2013/03/22/ox-news-poll-majorities-support-new-gun-measures/;Jane C. Timm, Americans avor stricter control over gun

rights, MSNBC, April 3, 2013, available at http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/04/03/morning-joe-poll-support-or-gun-con-trol/; Quinnipiac University, Background Checks Could LeadTo Gun Conscation, Many Voters Tell Quinnipiac UniversityNational Poll; But 91 Percent Want Universal Gun Checks,Press release, April 4, 2013, available at http://www.quin-nipiac.edu/institutes--centers/polling-institute/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=1877.

25 Mayors Against Illegal Guns, New Poll o NRA Members byFrank Luntz Shows Strong Support or Common-Sense GunLaws, Exposing Signicant Divide Between Rank-and-FileMembers and NRA Leadership, Press Release, July 24, 2012,available at http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/media-center/pr006-12.shtml.

26 Sarah Dutton and others, 9 in 10 back universal gun back-ground checks.

27 Frank Newport, NRA Has 54% Favorable Image inU.S.,Gallup Politics, December 27, 2012, available at http://

www.gallup.com/poll/159578/nra-avorable-image.aspx.

28 Adam Winkler, NRA took hard right ater leadership coup,San Francisco Chronicle, July 28, 2012, available at http://www.sgate.com/opinion/article/NRA-took-hard-right-ater-leadership-coup-3741640.php.

29 Ibid.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/04/17/manchin-toomey-gun-amendment-fails/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/04/17/manchin-toomey-gun-amendment-fails/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/04/17/manchin-toomey-gun-amendment-fails/http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0508/Clinton_mail_attacks_Obama_on_guns.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0508/Clinton_mail_attacks_Obama_on_guns.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0508/Clinton_mail_attacks_Obama_on_guns.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/rendell-mcdonnell-coward-wuss-85333.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/rendell-mcdonnell-coward-wuss-85333.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/rendell-mcdonnell-coward-wuss-85333.htmlhttp://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120327/NEWS90/120329725/-1/rss01http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120327/NEWS90/120329725/-1/rss01http://www.ceasefirepa.org/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/11/us/politics/compromise-on-background-checks.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/11/us/politics/compromise-on-background-checks.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/11/us/politics/compromise-on-background-checks.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/04/background_checks_toomey_casey.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/04/background_checks_toomey_casey.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/04/background_checks_toomey_casey.htmlhttp://articles.philly.com/2013-01-18/news/36396546_1_background-checks-weapons-and-high-capacity-clips-background-check-systemhttp://articles.philly.com/2013-01-18/news/36396546_1_background-checks-weapons-and-high-capacity-clips-background-check-systemhttp://articles.philly.com/2013-01-18/news/36396546_1_background-checks-weapons-and-high-capacity-clips-background-check-systemhttp://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/indexpend.php?cmte=C00053553&cycle=2010&txthttp://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/indexpend.php?cmte=C00053553&cycle=2010&txthttp://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/indexpend.php?cmte=C00053553&cycle=2010&txthttp://www.campaignmoneywatch.com/mediacenter/buck-gun-dealerhttp://www.campaignmoneywatch.com/mediacenter/buck-gun-dealerhttp://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000060465http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000060465http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_16350207http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_16350207http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/20/17387348-colorado-gov-hickenlooper-signs-landmark-gun-control-bills?litehttp://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/20/17387348-colorado-gov-hickenlooper-signs-landmark-gun-control-bills?litehttp://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/20/17387348-colorado-gov-hickenlooper-signs-landmark-gun-control-bills?litehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/mcdonnell-signs-bill-lifting-one-handgun-per-month-limit/2012/02/28/gIQAtT0kgR_blog.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/mcdonnell-signs-bill-lifting-one-handgun-per-month-limit/2012/02/28/gIQAtT0kgR_blog.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/mcdonnell-signs-bill-lifting-one-handgun-per-month-limit/2012/02/28/gIQAtT0kgR_blog.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/05/michael-bloomberg-nra-wins_n_779468.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/05/michael-bloomberg-nra-wins_n_779468.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/05/michael-bloomberg-nra-wins_n_779468.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/17/is-the-gun-lobby-invincible/politicians-with-courage-can-winhttp://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/17/is-the-gun-lobby-invincible/politicians-with-courage-can-winhttp://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/17/is-the-gun-lobby-invincible/politicians-with-courage-can-winhttp://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/us/rate-of-gun-ownership-is-down-survey-shows.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/us/rate-of-gun-ownership-is-down-survey-shows.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/us/rate-of-gun-ownership-is-down-survey-shows.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0http://www.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Natlguns13m1-041613.pdfhttp://www.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Natlguns13m1-041613.pdfhttp://www.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Natlguns13m1-041613.pdfhttp://www.demandaction.org/abouthttp://www.nraila.org/news-issues/news-from-nra-ila/2013/4/letter-from-nra-institute-for-legislative-action-executive-director-chris-cox-to-the-united-states-senate-on-background-checks.aspxhttp://www.nraila.org/news-issues/news-from-nra-ila/2013/4/letter-from-nra-institute-for-legislative-action-executive-director-chris-cox-to-the-united-states-senate-on-background-checks.aspxhttp://www.nraila.org/news-issues/news-from-nra-ila/2013/4/letter-from-nra-institute-for-legislative-action-executive-director-chris-cox-to-the-united-states-senate-on-background-checks.aspxhttp://www.nraila.org/news-issues/news-from-nra-ila/2013/4/letter-from-nra-institute-for-legislative-action-executive-director-chris-cox-to-the-united-states-senate-on-background-checks.aspxhttp://www.nraila.org/news-issues/news-from-nra-ila/2013/4/letter-from-nra-institute-for-legislative-action-executive-director-chris-cox-to-the-united-states-senate-on-background-checks.aspxhttp://www.cbsnews.com/8301-34222_162-57564386-10391739/9-in-10-back-universal-gun-background-checks/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-34222_162-57564386-10391739/9-in-10-back-universal-gun-background-checks/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-34222_162-57564386-10391739/9-in-10-back-universal-gun-background-checks/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/03/22/fox-news-poll-majorities-support-new-gun-measures/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/03/22/fox-news-poll-majorities-support-new-gun-measures/http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/04/03/morning-joe-poll-support-for-gun-control/http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/04/03/morning-joe-poll-support-for-gun-control/http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/04/03/morning-joe-poll-support-for-gun-control/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes--centers/polling-institute/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=1877http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes--centers/polling-institute/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=1877http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes--centers/polling-institute/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=1877http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/media-center/pr006-12.shtmlhttp://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/media-center/pr006-12.shtmlhttp://www.gallup.com/poll/159578/nra-favorable-image.aspxhttp://www.gallup.com/poll/159578/nra-favorable-image.aspxhttp://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/NRA-took-hard-right-after-leadership-coup-3741640.phphttp://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/NRA-took-hard-right-after-leadership-coup-3741640.phphttp://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/NRA-took-hard-right-after-leadership-coup-3741640.phphttp://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/NRA-took-hard-right-after-leadership-coup-3741640.phphttp://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/NRA-took-hard-right-after-leadership-coup-3741640.phphttp://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/NRA-took-hard-right-after-leadership-coup-3741640.phphttp://www.gallup.com/poll/159578/nra-favorable-image.aspxhttp://www.gallup.com/poll/159578/nra-favorable-image.aspxhttp://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/media-center/pr006-12.shtmlhttp://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/media-center/pr006-12.shtmlhttp://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes--centers/polling-institute/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=1877http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes--centers/polling-institute/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=1877http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes--centers/polling-institute/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=1877http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/04/03/morning-joe-poll-support-for-gun-control/http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/04/03/morning-joe-poll-support-for-gun-control/http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/04/03/morning-joe-poll-support-for-gun-control/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/03/22/fox-news-poll-majorities-support-new-gun-measures/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/03/22/fox-news-poll-majorities-support-new-gun-measures/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-34222_162-57564386-10391739/9-in-10-back-universal-gun-background-checks/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-34222_162-57564386-10391739/9-in-10-back-universal-gun-background-checks/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-34222_162-57564386-10391739/9-in-10-back-universal-gun-background-checks/http://www.nraila.org/news-issues/news-from-nra-ila/2013/4/letter-from-nra-institute-for-legislative-action-executive-director-chris-cox-to-the-united-states-senate-on-background-checks.aspxhttp://www.nraila.org/news-issues/news-from-nra-ila/2013/4/letter-from-nra-institute-for-legislative-action-executive-director-chris-cox-to-the-united-states-senate-on-background-checks.aspxhttp://www.nraila.org/news-issues/news-from-nra-ila/2013/4/letter-from-nra-institute-for-legislative-action-executive-director-chris-cox-to-the-united-states-senate-on-background-checks.aspxhttp://www.nraila.org/news-issues/news-from-nra-ila/2013/4/letter-from-nra-institute-for-legislative-action-executive-director-chris-cox-to-the-united-states-senate-on-background-checks.aspxhttp://www.nraila.org/news-issues/news-from-nra-ila/2013/4/letter-from-nra-institute-for-legislative-action-executive-director-chris-cox-to-the-united-states-senate-on-background-checks.aspxhttp://www.demandaction.org/abouthttp://www.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Natlguns13m1-041613.pdfhttp://www.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Natlguns13m1-041613.pdfhttp://www.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Natlguns13m1-041613.pdfhttp://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/us/rate-of-gun-ownership-is-down-survey-shows.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/us/rate-of-gun-ownership-is-down-survey-shows.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/us/rate-of-gun-ownership-is-down-survey-shows.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/17/is-the-gun-lobby-invincible/politicians-with-courage-can-winhttp://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/17/is-the-gun-lobby-invincible/politicians-with-courage-can-winhttp://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/17/is-the-gun-lobby-invincible/politicians-with-courage-can-winhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/05/michael-bloomberg-nra-wins_n_779468.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/05/michael-bloomberg-nra-wins_n_779468.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/05/michael-bloomberg-nra-wins_n_779468.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/mcdonnell-signs-bill-lifting-one-handgun-per-month-limit/2012/02/28/gIQAtT0kgR_blog.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/mcdonnell-signs-bill-lifting-one-handgun-per-month-limit/2012/02/28/gIQAtT0kgR_blog.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/mcdonnell-signs-bill-lifting-one-handgun-per-month-limit/2012/02/28/gIQAtT0kgR_blog.htmlhttp://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/20/17387348-colorado-gov-hickenlooper-signs-landmark-gun-control-bills?litehttp://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/20/17387348-colorado-gov-hickenlooper-signs-landmark-gun-control-bills?litehttp://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/20/17387348-colorado-gov-hickenlooper-signs-landmark-gun-control-bills?litehttp://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_16350207http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_16350207http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000060465http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000060465http://www.campaignmoneywatch.com/mediacenter/buck-gun-dealerhttp://www.campaignmoneywatch.com/mediacenter/buck-gun-dealerhttp://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/indexpend.php?cmte=C00053553&cycle=2010&txthttp://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/indexpend.php?cmte=C00053553&cycle=2010&txthttp://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/indexpend.php?cmte=C00053553&cycle=2010&txthttp://articles.philly.com/2013-01-18/news/36396546_1_background-checks-weapons-and-high-capacity-clips-background-check-systemhttp://articles.philly.com/2013-01-18/news/36396546_1_background-checks-weapons-and-high-capacity-clips-background-check-systemhttp://articles.philly.com/2013-01-18/news/36396546_1_background-checks-weapons-and-high-capacity-clips-background-check-systemhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/04/background_checks_toomey_casey.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/04/background_checks_toomey_casey.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/04/background_checks_toomey_casey.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/11/us/politics/compromise-on-background-checks.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/11/us/politics/compromise-on-background-checks.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/11/us/politics/compromise-on-background-checks.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0http://www.ceasefirepa.org/http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120327/NEWS90/120329725/-1/rss01http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120327/NEWS90/120329725/-1/rss01http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/rendell-mcdonnell-coward-wuss-85333.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/rendell-mcdonnell-coward-wuss-85333.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/rendell-mcdonnell-coward-wuss-85333.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0508/Clinton_mail_attacks_Obama_on_guns.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0508/Clinton_mail_attacks_Obama_on_guns.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0508/Clinton_mail_attacks_Obama_on_guns.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/04/17/manchin-toomey-gun-amendment-fails/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/04/17/manchin-toomey-gun-amendment-fails/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/04/17/manchin-toomey-gun-amendment-fails/


12/12

12 C t A i P | 9 R Wh P St G L I Withi R h

30 Christina Wilkie and Sam Stein, NRA Supported UniversalBackground Checks Ater Columbine Massacre, TheHungton Post, January 1, 2013, available at http://www.hungtonpost.com/2013/01/31/nra-gun-show-loophole_n_2593937.html.

31 Wayne LaPierre, Address to Members, Transcript o speechbeore the NRA Annual Meeting o Members, Denver,Colorado, May 1, 1999, available at http://web.archive.org/web/20000312035941/http://nrahq.com/transcripts/den-ver_wlp.shtml.

32 Kasie Hunt, NRA-backed task orce pushes to arm teachers,

school staf, First Read, April 2, 2013, available at http://rstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/02/17570190-nra-backed-task-orce-pushes-to-arm-teachers-school-staf?lite.

33 Associated Press, NRAs stance ails to sway some onSotomayor vote, Boston.com, August 2, 2009, availableat http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/ar-ticles/2009/08/02/nras_stance_ails_to_sway_some_on_so-tomayor_vote/.

34 Erin Kelly Gannett, Nevadas Harry Reid switches longtimestance to support assault weapon ban,Reno Gazette-

Journal, April 17, 2013, available at http://www.rgj.com/article/20130417/NEWS19/304170124/Nevada-s-Harry-Re-id-switches-longtime-stance-support-assault-weapon-ban.

35 Roll Call Vote on Senate Amendment 715 to the SaeCommunities, Sae Schools Act o 2013 (S. 649), available athttp://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cm.cm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00097.

36 Paul Waldman, The Myth O NRA Dominance Part III:Two Elections The NRA Did Not Win, ThinkProgress,February 22, 2012, available at http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/02/22/430560/the-myth-o-nra-dominance-part-iii-two-elections-the-nra-did-not-win/.

37 Bill Daley, Heidi Heitkamp betrayed me on gun control, TheWashington Post, April 19, 2013, available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/heidi-heitkamp-betrayed-me-on-gun-control/2013/04/19/54e2c786-a929-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187_story.html.

38 Dan Freedman, NRA spent $17 million on election, lost,SanFrancisco Chronicle, November 8, 2012, available at http://www.sgate.com/politics/article/NRA-spent-17-million-on-election-lost-4022197.php.

39 Lindsay Young, Outside spenders return on investment(Washington: Sunlight Foundation Reporting Group, 2012),available at http://reporting.sunlightoundation.com/2012/

return_on_investment/.

40 Dan Morain, Billionaire Bloomberg knocks out JoeBaca, adds dynamic to gun politics, The SacramentoBee, December 2, 2012, available at http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/02/5022439/dan-morain-billionaire-bloom-berg.html.

41 Associated Press, Robin Kelly coasts to victory in specialelection to replace ormer Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., New YorkDaily News, April 10, 2013, available at http://www.nydaily-news.com/news/politics/robin-kelly-wins-special-election-replace-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-article-1.1312505.

42 Dana Blanton, Fox News poll: During a manhunt, 69percent o voters want a gun, Fox News, April 23, 2013,available at http://www.oxnews.com/politics/2013/04/23/ox-news-poll-during-manhunt-6-percent-voters-want-gun/.

43 Kevin Cirilli, Poll: Kelly Ayotte approval drops ater gunvote, Politico, April 25, 2013, available at http://www.po-litico.com/story/2013/04/kelly-ayotte-gun-vote-approval-rating-90620.html.

44 Quinnipiac University, Pennsylvania Voters Say RunPittsburgh Marathon, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; ManyVoters Angry At U.S. Senate Gun-Control Vote, Press release,April 26, 2013, available at http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes--centers/polling-institute/pennsylvania/release-detail?ReleaseID=1888.

45 Public Policy Polling, More backlash against Senators ongun vote, Press release, April 29, 2013, available at http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2013/04/more-back-lash-against-senators-on-gun-vote.html.

46 Centers or Disease Control and Prevention, WISQARS FatalInjury Data, 19992010 , available at http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/atal.html (last accessed May 2013).

47 Centers or Disease Control, WISQARS Fatal Injury Data,20062010, available at http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/atal.html (last accessed May 2013); Centers or DiseaseControl and Prevention, WISQARS Non-Fatal Injury Data,

20062010, available at http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/nonatal.html (last accessed May 2013).

48 Ibid.

49 American Academy o Pediatrics, Firearm-Related InjuriesAfecting the Pediatric Population (2013), available athttp://neoreviews.aappublications.org/content/pediat-rics/130/5/e1416.ull.

50 Centers or Disease Control, WISQARS Fatal Injury Data.

51 Erin G. Richardson and David Hemenway, Homicide,Suicide, and Unintentional Firearm Fatality: Comparing theUnited States With Other High-Income Countries, 2003,

Journal o Trauma, Injury, Inection, and Critical Care70 (1)(2010): 23843.

52 Sara B. Vyrostek, Joseph L. Annest, and George W. Ryan,Surveillance or atal and nonatal injuriesUnited States,

2001 (Washington: National Center or Injury Preventionand Control, 2004), available at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5307a1.htm.

53 American Academy o Pediatrics, Firearm-Related InjuriesAfecting the Pediatric Population.

54 Benita J. Walton-Moss and others, Risk Factors or IntimatePartner Violence and Associated Injury Among UrbanWomen,American Journal o Public Health30 (5) (2003):10891097.

55 Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Gun Laws and ViolenceAgainst Women (2013), available at http://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/9/e9/e/1726/Gun_Laws_and_Violence_Against_Women.pd.

56 Federal Bureau o Investigation, Ofcers Feloniously Killed(U.S. Department o Justice, 2011), available at http://www.bi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/leoka/leoka-2010/ocers-eloni-ously-killed.

57 Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Gun Background Checks(2013), available at http://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/9/0//1721/Background_Checks_Fact_Sheet.pd.

58 Daniel W. Webster and others, The Case or Gun PolicyReorms in America (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Center orGun Policy and Research, 2012), available at http://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/johns-hopkins-center-or-gun-policy-and-research/publications/WhitePa-per102512_CGPR.pd

59 Federal Bureau o Investigation, National Instant CriminalBackground Check System (NICS) (U.S. Department o Justice,2009), available at http://www.bi.gov/about-us/cjis/nics/reports/2009-operations-report.

60 Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Gun Laws and ViolenceAgainst Women.

61 Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Trace the Guns: The LinkBetween Gun Laws and Interstate Gun Tracking (2010),available at http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/downloads/pd/trace_the_guns_report.pd.

62 Oce o the Press Secretary, Statement by the President,The White House, April 17, 2013, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-oce/2013/04/17/statement-president.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/nra-gun-show-loophole_n_2593937.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/nra-gun-show-loophole_n_2593937.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/nra-gun-show-loophole_n_2593937.htmlhttp://web.archive.org/web/20000312035941/http://nrahq.com/transcripts/denver_wlp.shtmlhttp://web.archive.org/web/20000312035941/http://nrahq.com/transcripts/denver_wlp.shtmlhttp://web.archive.org/web/20000312035941/http://nrahq.com/transcripts/denver_wlp.shtmlhttp://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/02/17570190-nra-backed-task-force-pushes-to-arm-teachers-school-staff?litehttp://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/02/17570190-nra-backed-task-force-pushes-to-arm-teachers-school-staff?litehttp://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/02/17570190-nra-backed-task-force-pushes-to-arm-teachers-school-staff?litehttp://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/08/02/nras_stance_fails_to_sway_some_on_sotomayor_vote/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/08/02/nras_stance_fails_to_sway_some_on_sotomayor_vote/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/08/02/nras_stance_fails_to_sway_some_on_sotomayor_vote/http://www.rgj.com/article/20130417/NEWS19/304170124/Nevada-s-Harry-Reid-switches-longtime-stance-support-assault-weapon-banhttp://www.rgj.com/article/20130417/NEWS19/304170124/Nevada-s-Harry-Reid-switches-longtime-stance-support-assault-weapon-banhttp://www.rgj.com/article/20130417/NEWS19/304170124/Nevada-s-Harry-Reid-switches-longtime-stance-support-assault-weapon-banhttp://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00097http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00097http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/02/22/430560/the-myth-of-nra-dominance-part-iii-two-elections-the-nra-did-not-win/http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/02/22/430560/the-myth-of-nra-dominance-part-iii-two-elections-the-nra-did-not-win/http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/02/22/430560/the-myth-of-nra-dominance-part-iii-two-elections-the-nra-did-not-win/http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/heidi-heitkamp-betrayed-me-on-gun-control/2013/04/19/54e2c786-a929-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/heidi-heitkamp-betrayed-me-on-gun-control/2013/04/19/54e2c786-a929-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/heidi-heitkamp-betrayed-me-on-gun-control/2013/04/19/54e2c786-a929-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/heidi-heitkamp-betrayed-me-on-gun-control/2013/04/19/54e2c786-a929-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_story.htmlhttp://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/NRA-spent-17-million-on-election-lost-4022197.phphttp://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/NRA-spent-17-million-on-election-lost-4022197.phphttp://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/NRA-spent-17-million-on-election-lost-4022197.phphttp://reporting.sunlightfoundation.com/2012/return_on_investment/http://reporting.sunlightfoundation.com/2012/return_on_investment/http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/02/5022439/dan-morain-billionaire-bloomberg.htmlhttp://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/02/5022439/dan-morain-billionaire-bloomberg.htmlhttp://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/02/5022439/dan-morain-billionaire-bloomberg.htmlhttp://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/robin-kelly-wins-special-election-replace-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-article-1.1312505http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/robin-kelly-wins-special-election-replace-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-article-1.1312505http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/robin-kelly-wins-special-election-replace-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-article-1.1312505http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/04/23/fox-news-poll-during-manhunt-6-percent-voters-want-gun/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/04/23/fox-news-poll-during-manhunt-6-percent-voters-want-gun/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/04/23/fox-news-poll-during-manhunt-6-percent-voters-want-gun/http://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/kelly-ayotte-gun-vote-approval-rating-90620.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/kelly-ayotte-gun-vote-approval-rating-90620.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/kelly-ayotte-gun-vote-approval-rating-90620.htmlhttp://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes--centers/polling-institute/pennsylvania/release-detail?ReleaseID=1888http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes--centers/polling-institute/pennsylvania/release-detail?ReleaseID=1888http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes--centers/polling-institute/pennsylvania/release-detail?ReleaseID=1888http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2013/04/more-backlash-against-senators-on-gun-vote.htmlhttp://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2013/04/more-backlash-against-senators-on-gun-vote.htmlhttp://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2013/04/more-backlash-against-senators-on-gun-vote.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/fatal.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/fatal.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/fatal.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/fatal.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/nonfatal.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/nonfatal.htmlhttp://neoreviews.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/130/5/e1416.fullhttp://neoreviews.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/130/5/e1416.fullhttp://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5307a1.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5307a1.htmhttp://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/9/e9/e/1726/Gun_Laws_and_Violence_Against_Women.pdfhttp://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/9/e9/e/1726/Gun_Laws_and_Violence_Against_Women.pdfhttp://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/9/e9/e/1726/Gun_Laws_and_Violence_Against_Women.pdfhttp://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/leoka/leoka-2010/officers-feloniously-killedhttp://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/leoka/leoka-2010/officers-feloniously-killedhttp://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/leoka/leoka-2010/officers-feloniously-killedhttp://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/9/0f/f/1721/Background_Checks_Fact_Sheet.pdfhttp://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/9/0f/f/1721/Background_Checks_Fact_Sheet.pdfhttp://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/nics/reports/2009-operations-reporthttp://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/nics/reports/2009-operations-reporthttp://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/downloads/pdf/trace_the_guns_report.pdfhttp://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/downloads/pdf/trace_the_guns_report.pdfhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/04/17/statement-presidenthttp://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/04/17/statement-presidenthttp://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/04/17/statement-presidenthttp://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/04/17/statement-presidenthttp://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/04/17/statement-presidenthttp://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/04/17/statement-presidenthttp://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/downloads/pdf/trace_the_guns_report.pdfhttp://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/downloads/pdf/trace_the_guns_report.pdfhttp://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/nics/reports/2009-operations-reporthttp://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/nics/reports/2009-operations-reporthttp://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/9/0f/f/1721/Background_Checks_Fact_Sheet.pdfhttp://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/9/0f/f/1721/Background_Checks_Fact_Sheet.pdfhttp://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/leoka/leoka-2010/officers-feloniously-killedhttp://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/leoka/leoka-2010/officers-feloniously-killedhttp://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/leoka/leoka-2010/officers-feloniously-killedhttp://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/9/e9/e/1726/Gun_Laws_and_Violence_Against_Women.pdfhttp://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/9/e9/e/1726/Gun_Laws_and_Violence_Against_Women.pdfhttp://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/9/e9/e/1726/Gun_Laws_and_Violence_Against_Women.pdfhttp://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5307a1.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5307a1.htmhttp://neoreviews.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/130/5/e1416.fullhttp://neoreviews.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/130/5/e1416.fullhttp://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/nonfatal.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/nonfatal.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/fatal.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/fatal.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/fatal.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/fatal.htmlhttp://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2013/04/more-backlash-against-senators-on-gun-vote.htmlhttp://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2013/04/more-backlash-against-senators-on-gun-vote.htmlhttp://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2013/04/more-backlash-against-senators-on-gun-vote.htmlhttp://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes--centers/polling-institute/pennsylvania/release-detail?ReleaseID=1888http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes--centers/polling-institute/pennsylvania/release-detail?ReleaseID=1888http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes--centers/polling-institute/pennsylvania/release-detail?ReleaseID=1888http://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/kelly-ayotte-gun-vote-approval-rating-90620.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/kelly-ayotte-gun-vote-approval-rating-90620.htmlhttp://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/kelly-ayotte-gun-vote-approval-rating-90620.htmlhttp://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/04/23/fox-news-poll-during-manhunt-6-percent-voters-want-gun/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/04/23/fox-news-poll-during-manhunt-6-percent-voters-want-gun/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/04/23/fox-news-poll-during-manhunt-6-percent-voters-want-gun/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/robin-kelly-wins-special-election-replace-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-article-1.1312505http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/robin-kelly-wins-special-election-replace-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-article-1.1312505http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/robin-kelly-wins-special-election-replace-rep-jesse-jackson-jr-article-1.1312505http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/02/5022439/dan-morain-billionaire-bloomberg.htmlhttp://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/02/5022439/dan-morain-billionaire-bloomberg.htmlhttp://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/02/5022439/dan-morain-billionaire-bloomberg.htmlhttp://reporting.sunlightfoundation.com/2012/return_on_investment/http://reporting.sunlightfoundation.com/2012/return_on_investment/http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/NRA-spent-17-million-on-election-lost-4022197.phphttp://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/NRA-spent-17-million-on-election-lost-4022197.phphttp://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/NRA-spent-17-million-on-election-lost-4022197.phphttp://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/heidi-heitkamp-betrayed-me-on-gun-control/2013/04/19/54e2c786-a929-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/heidi-heitkamp-betrayed-me-on-gun-control/2013/04/19/54e2c786-a929-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/heidi-heitkamp-betrayed-me-on-gun-control/2013/04/19/54e2c786-a929-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/heidi-heitkamp-betrayed-me-on-gun-control/2013/04/19/54e2c786-a929-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_story.htmlhttp://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/02/22/430560/the-myth-of-nra-dominance-part-iii-two-elections-the-nra-did-not-win/http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/02/22/430560/the-myth-of-nra-dominance-part-iii-two-elections-the-nra-did-not-win/http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/02/22/430560/the-myth-of-nra-dominance-part-iii-two-elections-the-nra-did-not-win/http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00097http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00097http://www.rgj.com/article/20130417/NEWS19/304170124/Nevada-s-Harry-Reid-switches-longtime-stance-support-assault-weapon-banhttp://www.rgj.com/article/20130417/NEWS19/304170124/Nevada-s-Harry-Reid-switches-longtime-stance-support-assault-weapon-banhttp://www.rgj.com/article/20130417/NEWS19/304170124/Nevada-s-Harry-Reid-switches-longtime-stance-support-assault-weapon-banhttp://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/08/02/nras_stance_fails_to_sway_some_on_sotomayor_vote/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/08/02/nras_stance_fails_to_sway_some_on_sotomayor_vote/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/08/02/nras_stance_fails_to_sway_some_on_sotomayor_vote/http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/02/17570190-nra-backed-task-force-pushes-to-arm-teachers-school-staff?litehttp://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/02/17570190-nra-backed-task-force-pushes-to-arm-teachers-school-staff?litehttp://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/02/17570190-nra-backed-task-force-pushes-to-arm-teachers-school-staff?litehttp://web.archive.org/web/20000312035941/http://nrahq.com/transcripts/denver_wlp.shtmlhttp://web.archive.org/web/20000312035941/http://nrahq.com/transcripts/denver_wlp.shtmlhttp://web.archive.org/web/20000312035941/http://nrahq.com/transcripts/denver_wlp.shtmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/nra-gun-show-loophole_n_2593937.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/nra-gun-show-loophole_n_2593937.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/nra-gun-show-loophole_n_2593937.html