Normalizing Guns: Trump and the NRA See Opportunity in Tragedy

It’s been lurking around for awhile now — this peculiar calculus that the more people who are shot, the more guns we need. It’s a great business model if you’re in the business of guns, or if your re-election depends on the outfits and people who are in the business of guns.

Jonathan D. Simon
By Jonathan D. Simon
President Donald Trump speaks at the National Rifle Association Leadership Conference, April 28, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP/Evan Vucci)

WASHINGTON (Opinion) -- My first thought, upon hearing that President Donald Trump was calling for the arming of “specially trained” teachers as the answer to mass shootings in our nation’s schools, was . . . “Is he fucking kidding?!” Apparently I was not alone, as pundits, comment boards, and social media absolutely exploded with disbelief, anger,

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A Culture Of Violence: A Parade of Stephen Paddocks With A Huge Pile Of Guns

Buried among statistics on gun profits and lobbying efforts is the terrifying reality of just how unique America’s gun obsession and associated violence are. And the equally terrifying plan by the NRA to “normalize” gun possession in nearly every nook and cranny of American life.

Roqayah Chamseddine
By Roqayah Chamseddine
In this photo taken March 15, 2017, an AR-15 style rifle manufactured by Battle Rifle Co. is display in Webster, Texas. (AP/Lisa Marie Pane)

In the aftermath of the horrific attack in Las Vegas, during which 64-year-old Stephen Paddock rained bullets on concert-goers from inside his hotel room, the gun violence epidemic in the U.S. has come back into focus. Paddock, who left behind an arsenal of 47 guns and multiple loaded high-capacity magazines, managed to kill 58 people and injure

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We Finally Know Why The NRA Didn’t Stand With Philando Castile

It has become clear that the NRA is less of a “gun rights” group like they claim and little more than a pro-government GOP front-group focused on carrying on the status quo at the expense of their loyal and misled, if not well-intentioned, members.

The Anti-Media
By The Anti-Media
Police stand watch during a protest across the street from the National Rifle Association's annual convention where Donald Trump was scheduled to speak in Atlanta, April 28, 2017. (AP/David Goldman)

Over the past month, many have wondered why the NRA took so long to offer any kind of statement on the shooting of Philando Castile by Officer Jeronimo Yanez last July, especially after the officer was acquitted of all charges back in June of this year. For those who may be unaware of the circumstances surrounding Castile’s death, here’s a

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Trump Reprises Racist ‘Pocahontas’ Insult Against Sen. Warren In Speech to NRA

The racist remark to the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting reportedly drew ‘big laughs.’

Deirdre Fulton
By Deirdre Fulton
President Donald Trump speaks during the National Rifle Association-ILA Leadership Forum, April 28, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP/Mike Stewart)

Speaking before the National Rifle Association (NRA) on Friday, President Donald Trump reprised his racist attack on U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), calling her "Pocahontas" during a "campaign-like speech" to an appreciative crowd. "I have a feeling in the next election you're going to be swamped with candidates," he said to the pro-gun

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Seeking To Keep Control Of Senate, NRA Betting Big On Gun-Loving Republicans

“If Republicans maintain control of the Senate this November, they’ll have to be sure to thank the gun lobby”

Deirdre Fulton
By Deirdre Fulton
A clip from an NRA ad targeting Democratic Senate candidate Deborah Ross, who is challenging incumbent Republican Richard Burr in North Carolina. (Photo: Screenshot)

With the U.S. Senate majority at stake, the National Rifle Association (NRA) is pumping record amounts of money into races across the country, according to Reuters on Friday. The news agency reports that the NRA "is on track for record spending this year on U.S. political campaigns," having already spent $23.4 million in this election cycle

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Trump Walks Back Comments About “Second Amendment People”; NRA Doubles Down

In typical fashion, the Trump campaign attributed the mischaracterization of his comments to the biased media.

ZeroHedge.com
By ZeroHedge.com
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Crown Arena, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016, in Fayetteville, N.C.

After drawing fire for allegedly suggesting that "Second Amendment people" could "off" Hillary as a last ditch effort to prevent her from abolishing the Second Amendment (as we detailed here), the man who "always says what he means" took to the Hannity show last night to explain how that's not what he meant.  Trump commented to Sean Hannity as

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