After Sandy Hook, the NRA heaped blamed on violent video games and a failing mental health system, while proposing that schools arm more personnel. A Sunlight review finds little progress on any of the gun rights group's agenda.
Continue readingDid NRA silence help win passage of plastic gun ban?
The NRA didn't stand in the way of Congress approving a plan to extend a ban on guns that would go unnoticed by metal detectors — but it scuttled proposals to extend it to guns manufactured via 3-D printing.
Continue readingDid guns beat money in Colorado recalls?
Pro-gun advocates appear to have defeated better-funded gun control supporters in this year's Colorado recall races, but loopholes in the reporting laws make it hard to determine exactly who spent how much.
Continue readingBarrage of political campaign spending follows shootings at Sandy Hook
Even in an "off" election year, groups on both sides of the gun debate spent millions to influence public opinion, and some have stockpiled big warchests for 2014.
Continue readingSandy Hook one year later: Lots of sound and money, little action
One year after the massacre at Sandy Hook, an examination of public records by the Sunlight Foundation suggests that the tragedy has been more of a boon for lobbyists and campaign consultants than a call for action.
Continue readingHired guns: K Street revolvers shot blanks against NRA artillery
Gun control groups made a big investment in professional lobbyists after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting but even the K Street top guns were no match for the National Rifle Association.
Continue readingBrady Campaign marks anniversary with ad
As Sarah Brady appears Tuesday at the National Press Club to mark the upcoming 20th anniversary of the gun background check law that bears her husband's name, the Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence is urging Congress to "finish the job" by expanding background checks to apply to all gun sales.
In a one-minute cartoon style ad, narrated in a lisping, child-like voice, the Brady Campaign -- which Sarah Brady chairs -- asks whether Congress' refusal to extend background checks is a sign that lawmakers are "rooting for the bad guys." Last spring, the Senate voted down a bill to expand ...
Continue readingLouisiana special pits state pol against Duck Dynasty favorite
Political outsider Vance McAllister has been forced to rely on his personal wealth to keep his campaign competitive in tomorrow's Louisiana special election, while state senator -- and ally of Gov. Bobby Jindal -- has received a steady stream of cash from Republican congressman and business PACs over the past few weeks
Continue readingMayors Against Illegal Guns runs ad backing Nevada background checks
The latest TV ad by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the gun control group funded by Mayor Mike Bloomberg, hit the airwaves in Nevada this week, ahead of a close vote Wednesday on a background check bill that passed the state Senate.
The bill would close the loophole that allows private sales to be made without checking the criminal background of the purchaser. It also bans people deemed mentally ill and likely to harm someone from possessing a gun. The bill can be followed on Scout, Sunlight's tool for tracking the progress of state and federal legislation.
The bill passed ...
Continue readingWhy four Dems opposed extending background checks
Back in February, we at Sunlight made some predictions about the Democrats who would be most likely to defect on a gun vote, based on three factors: being up for a vote in 2014, having a high number of gun businesses in the state, and having a low Obama vote share. Here's what we wrote at the time about four Democrats we predicted would be most likely to oppose gun reform.
- Max Baucus: Montana has 120 gun businesses per 100,000 people, highest in the country (according to ATF statistics). Only 41.8% of Montana voters supported Obama in 2012. (Tester, who just won re-election faces similar pressures)
- Mark Begich: Alaska has 104 gun businesses per 100,000 people. Only 41.3% of Alaskans voted for Obama in 2012.
- Tim Johnson: South Dakota has 66 gun businesses per 100,000 people. Only 39.9% of South Dakotans supported Obama in 2012.
- Mark Pryor: Arkansas has 45 gun businesses per 100,00 people. Only 36.9% of Arkansans voted for Obama in 2012.
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