# Democrats push to make gun control a 2018 issue **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 20, 2018, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184 "2018-02-20T10:33:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/41 "2018-02-20T21:06:46Z")
I’m describing how the party is painting _itself_. Go tell _them_. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/42 "2018-02-20T21:07:48Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > The risk is energizing the other party’s base more than your own, aka “why Hillary lost”. It remains to be seen if voters in 2018 are motivated enough by a desire for gun control to turn out in greater numbers than those who are motivated by a distaste for gun control. > > Republicans are going to want to talk about the economy, jobs, national security. Do Dems want to talk about gun control and how bad Trump is? Trump isn’t running. > > Regards, > Shodan Democrats are going to be talking economy, jobs, and national security, and how they have a far better track record than republicans n all of those. Republicans are going to want to distract from the fact that dems are better at governing by ginning up their base about how the left is going to come take their guns. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/43 "2018-02-20T21:09:56Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > This kind of ridiculous over the top rhetoric will cost you the mid-term elections. It won’t sell outside of the coasts and big cities…and most of the House doesn’t come from those places. I think you should look at this poll. The political climate is changing, if not anything else at the moment. [https://poll.qu.edu/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=2521](https://poll.qu.edu/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=2521) > [@](#): > > American voters support stricter gun laws 66 - 31 percent, the highest level of support ever measured by the independent Quinnipiac University National Poll, with 50 - 44 percent support among gun owners and 62 - 35 percent support from white voters with no college degree and 58 - 38 percent support among white men. > > Today’s result is up from a negative 47 - 50 percent measure of support in a December 23, 2015, survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll. > > Support for universal background checks is itself almost universal, 97 - 2 percent, including 97 - 3 percent among gun owners. Support for gun control on other questions is at its highest level since the Quinnipiac University Poll began focusing on this issue in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre: > 67 - 29 percent for a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons; > 83 - 14 percent for a mandatory waiting period for all gun purchases. It is too easy to buy a gun in the U.S. today, American voters say 67 - 3 percent. If more people carried guns, the U.S. would be less safe, voters say 59 - 33 percent. Congress needs to do more to reduce gun violence, voters say 75 - 17 percent. > Stricter gun control would do more to reduce gun violence in schools, 40 percent of voters say, while 34 percent say metal detectors would do more and 20 percent say armed teachers are the answer. > > “If you think Americans are largely unmoved by the mass shootings, you should think again. Support for stricter gun laws is up 19 points in little more than 2 years,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. > > “In the last two months, some of the biggest surges in support for tightening gun laws comes from demographic groups you may not expect, independent voters, men, and whites with no college degree.” > > Mass killings by U.S. citizens is a bigger problem than mass killings by people from other countries, American voters say 70 - 20 percent. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/44 "2018-02-20T21:20:05Z")
Donald just directed his DOJ to ban gun modifications like bump stocks. Offered without comment. > **[Pres. Trump moves to ban gun ‘bump stocks’](https://www.fox13now.com/2018/02/20/trump-moves-to-ban-bump-stocks)** > > WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he has directed his attorney general to propose changes that would ban so-called bump stocks, which make it easier to fire rounds more quickly. “Just a few moments ago I signed a memo directing... > [@](#): > > President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he has directed his attorney general to propose changes that would ban so-called bump stocks, which make it easier to fire rounds more quickly. > > “Just a few moments ago I signed a memo directing the attorney general to propose regulations that ban all devices that turn legal weapons into machine guns,” Trump said at a Medal of Valor event at the White House, addressing Attorney General Jeff Sessions. > > “I expect these regulations to be finalized, Jeff, very soon,” Trump said. > > Moments earlier, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Trump ordered the Justice Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to review bump fire stocks, which she said had been completed. She said movement on that front would take place shortly. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/45 "2018-02-20T21:21:33Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I’m describing how the party is painting _itself_. Go tell _them_. No. you aren’t. Cite me to any Republican saying “we’re the pro murder rights party”. You can’t, because they haven’t. That language…with all the offensive connotations it carries…comes from you and others of your ilk. It’s an extreme, irrational, provocative, over-the-top approach that turns centrists…like myself…against you. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/46 "2018-02-20T21:22:47Z")
OMG so is Trump a gun grabber now? How many heads are exploding across the alt-rightaverse right now? ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/47 "2018-02-20T21:24:07Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > No. you aren’t. Cite me to any Republican saying “we’re the pro murder rights party”. You can’t, because they haven’t. That language…with all the offensive connotations it carries…comes from you and others of your ilk. It’s an extreme, irrational, provocative, over-the-top approach that turns centrists…like myself…against you. Well when you are criticizing teenage survivors of a school massacre for using their voices to advocate for change, you are not doing yourself any favors. I don’t think the anti-school-shooting-survivor political block is very large or influential. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/48 "2018-02-20T21:27:05Z")
Well holy shit, it looks like Trump is coming for your guns. Your bump stock, anyway. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/02/20/trump-directs-attorney-general-to-create-regulations-to-ban-bump-stocks/?hpid=hp\_no-name\_no-name%3Apage%2Fbreaking-news-bar&utm\_term=.613de9dc3a29](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/02/20/trump-directs-attorney-general-to-create-regulations-to-ban-bump-stocks/?hpid=hp_no-name_no-name%3Apage%2Fbreaking-news-bar&utm_term=.613de9dc3a29) ETA: Hi, Merneith, I didn’t see your post. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/49 "2018-02-20T21:27:59Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > Well when you are criticizing teenage survivors of a school massacre for using their voices to advocate for change, you are not doing yourself any favors. I don’t think the anti-school-shooting-survivor political block is very large or influential. I haven’t done that. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/50 "2018-02-20T21:29:21Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > No. you aren’t. Cite me to any Republican saying “we’re the pro murder rights party”. You can’t, because they haven’t. Dude. I’m discussing the brand image they are creating, unintentionally of course but they’re doing it, and using simple words to describe how it looks to others. Clear now? > [@](#): > > centrists…like myself Molon Labe, you say? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/51 "2018-02-20T21:37:01Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I haven’t done that. I didn’t say that you did. You said to “cite any Republican”. Jack Kingston counts right? > [@](#): > > O really? “Students” are planning a nationwide rally? Not left wing gun control activists using 17yr kids in the wake of a horrible tragedy? #Soros #Resistance #Antifa #DNC From his Twitter. Or Trump Jr. who has been liking tweets questioning survivor David Hogg simply because he is the son of a retired FBI agent. These kids are showing grit and leadership, and they are now getting smeared by the right. Like I said, not a good look. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/52 "2018-02-20T21:37:07Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > No. you aren’t. Cite me to any Republican saying “we’re the pro murder rights party”. You can’t, because they haven’t. That language…with all the offensive connotations it carries…comes from you and others of your ilk. It’s an extreme, irrational, provocative, over-the-top approach that turns centrists…like myself…against you. So, when the right makes up things about what the left wants and believes, and couches that in rather vulgar and strong language, that doesn’t bother you in the slightest, but if some left leaning poster says something, that’s just intolerable. > [@Oakminster](#): > > I haven’t done that. The people in the party that you are defending are most certainly doing exactly that. Strange that doesn’t bother you in the least. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/53 "2018-02-20T21:42:09Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Dude. I’m discussing the brand image they are creating, unintentionally of course but they’re doing it, and using simple words to describe how it looks to others. Clear now? > > Molon Labe, you say? 😉 It doesn’t look that way to rational others. Again, you are falsely imputing your radical extremism to the country as a whole. People will smell what you’re cooking in places like New York, Chicago, and California. Not so much in the heartland. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/54 "2018-02-20T21:47:13Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > It doesn’t look that way to rational others. Again, you are falsely imputing your radical extremism to the country as a whole. People will smell what you’re cooking in places like New York, Chicago, and California. Not so much in the heartland. Objection! Assuming facts not in evidence You keep asserting what the country thinks. Have you checked out that recent Quinnipiac poll I linked to that actually shows what the country currently thinks about gun control? The change in views on support for stricter gun laws in the last two years is stunning. 19% change since 2015. Now its 66% to 31% in favor. Even gun owners themselves are supporting it 50% to 44% now. As Bob Dylan once said “The times they are a-changin’” ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/55 "2018-02-20T21:49:44Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > It doesn’t look that way to rational others. Again, you are falsely imputing your radical extremism to the country as a whole. People will smell what you’re cooking in places like New York, Chicago, and California. Not so much in the heartland. Couple more school shootings in the heartland will fix that right on up, now won’t it. If you want to prevent the public turning against your desire to have guns, maybe it’s not a bad idea to find a way for them to be used responsibly. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/56 "2018-02-20T22:01:04Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I agree. If the Democratics can frame the issue to make clear they are not seeking to repeal the second amendment or “grab” everyone’s gun, sensible gun regulation might be less scary. > > However, I’d rather they didn’t make it the central part of the campaign. Win the election _and then_ introduce common sense gun regulation. I agree. Look here’s what he said "Crow told RCP. He emphasized his support for expanded background checks, banning military-style assault weapons, and closing gun show loopholes. " Ok, you will have large support for the first one, confused by general support for the 2nd, but not much for the thrid, which may be unconstitutial. Sure, right now, after a school shooting we have a wave of support for some sort of gun control. This is the “Something must be done!” cry. But will that be there come election time 2018 and especially 2020? Doubtful. Focus on “expanded background checks”. Even the NRA has been back and forth on that. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/57 "2018-02-20T22:05:46Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > Objection! Assuming facts not in evidence > > You keep asserting what the country thinks. Have you checked out that recent Quinnipiac poll I linked to that actually shows what the country currently thinks about gun control? The change in views on support for stricter gun laws in the last two years is stunning. 19% change since 2015. Now its 66% to 31% in favor. Even gun owners themselves are supporting it 50% to 44% now. > > As Bob Dylan once said “The times they are a-changin’” Yep, right after a shooting public opinion swings- for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/58 "2018-02-20T22:16:45Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > I didn’t say that you did. > > You said to “cite any Republican”. Jack Kingston counts right? > > From his Twitter. > > Or Trump Jr. who has been liking tweets questioning survivor David Hogg simply because he is the son of a retired FBI agent. > > These kids are showing grit and leadership, and they are now getting smeared by the right. Like I said, not a good look. You don’t get to take my words out of context and twist them into something you wish I’d said. I said, quite specifically, to cite any Republican saying “We’re the pro murder rights party”. Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing about any kids doing any thing. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/59 "2018-02-20T22:28:31Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > You don’t get to take my words out of context and twist them into something you wish I’d said. I said, quite specifically, to cite any Republican saying “We’re the pro murder rights party”. Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing about any kids doing any thing. You’ll need to cite where anyone claimed that the republicans said that. I see a poster claiming that they are painting themselves as that party, but that wouldn’t require the type of cite that you are demanding, just that people are perceiving them that way due to their actions, and **Airbeck** ’s cite more than amply demonstrated that. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184/60 "2018-02-20T22:35:13Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > You really don’t understand anything about the people you’d categorize as “gun nuts” - you don’t understand what motivates them. You have extremely simple, even childish ideas about who they are and what they want, and it’s not accurate. What motivates them? Who are they and what do they want? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-push-to-make-gun-control-a-2018-issue/809184.md?page=4)