Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., addressed the shootings in Lewiston, Maine, that killed at least 18 people, calling it a “horrific tragedy.”

    • dhork@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      The NRA is becoming less of a major force, though. They are in legal trouble, their membership is way down, and they may not be around much longer…

      https://www.everytown.org/press/new-report-nra-membership-hits-10-year-low-hemorrhaging-over-1-million-members-since-2019/

      I wonder if it’s a coincidence that they really started to lose tons of money after 2022, when money transfers from certain parts of the world got a lot harder…

      • theyoyomaster@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        The real downfall of the NRA was them pandering to internal politics rather than advocating for gun rights. They were never anywhere close to the top of the list for highest spending lobbyists, their actual power came from an active member base of avid voters. As they gave more and more concessions and actively supported “compromises” that did nothing but give away more and more gun rights their members shifted to other, more effective groups.

        • Garbanzo@lemmy.world
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          8 months ago

          The main reason they have any active members is through coercion. They help provide insurance to shooting ranges in return for requiring NRA membership from anyone that wants to use the facility.

          • theyoyomaster@lemmy.world
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            8 months ago

            That and free admission to gun shows for a $12 membership signup. The actual 2A community ditched them years ago. Now they’re just a convenient sacrificial punching bag.

      • tygerprints@kbin.social
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        8 months ago

        I pray that this is true. That’s where my prayers are going, to the ultimate demise of the NRA and its constituents.

  • MagicShel@programming.dev
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    8 months ago

    Why can’t someone ask, “as Speaker, what is your plan to address the epidemic of mass shootings and gun violence?” I’m so tired of their spin making the news while their lack of answers goes unremarked.

    • Ranvier@sopuli.xyz
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      8 months ago

      Simulated answer from him since the media can’t be bothered to ask: “Something something mental health, even though that’s not really the issue in most shootings, and also we aren’t gonna fund any mental health care either.”

      Media does really stink at actually asking hard questions or holding politicians to account.

      • MagicShel@programming.dev
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        8 months ago

        But I mean that’s my point. This is the fourth most powerful man in the country. It’s his job to do something concrete (anyone can do thots and pears that’s not a speaker level of action) to address this or go on the record saying, “we aren’t going to do shit about this because mass shootings are lower priority than putting a gun in the hand of every possible [white] man, woman and child. If your anyone you know has been affected or is afraid of being affected by a mass shooting, that is just the price of freedom so deal with it.”

        Back these fuckers into a corner and force then to either fix it or say exactly that.

        • Ranvier@sopuli.xyz
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          8 months ago

          Exactly. I totally agree with you. Just being sarcastic with what I expect their response would be. I hate the “mental health” response which has been their favorite lately. Such a dumb cop out that misses the point. And they never have any intention of helping with the mental health problems in the country either.

    • tygerprints@kbin.social
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      8 months ago

      …will do nothing to help or stop this kind of horror from exploding across America’s idiotic face again and again and again and again and again without end.

  • MyOpinion@lemm.ee
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    8 months ago

    He will be down on his knees praying as he makes it easier for people to get weapons.

    • dhork@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      He’ll be praying to the God of Ordinance to bestow adequate firepower to the mob ahead of the pre-scheduled Jan 8 2024 Capitol Riot.