John Q. Pirate
Member
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2009
- Messages
- 48
This question has intrigued me for a little while now, and I thought I'd solicit opinions from our esteemed membership for some insight.
Following the enactment of the federal AWB in 1994, I seem to recall that the efforts of the anti's to push for more legislation, both at the federal and state levels, largely dissipated; or at least that was my impression of it, considering that any media drumbeat for such efforts also largely tapered off during that time. I ascribe this to a general loss of appetite among the antis following their spectacular losses in the midterms immediately afterwards - Bill Clinton was well known for having said as much.
Anyway, after the AWB sunset and the nearly ten years since, we heard practically nothing From them before Sandy Hook - mass shootings like Columbine and VA Tech didn't even reignite the debate in any large measure. Now, gun control is back in the news as a regular topic, and seems to show no further indications of any disinterest in the media as was previously the case, despite the failure of the UBC bill to pass last year and the recall elections in Colorado presenting what was by all accounts a stern rebuke of the gun control movement. The Brady Campaign was on the verge of financial insolvency before the fresh influx of Bloomberg cash got them off life support.
So, my question is, what makes this issue different this go around? And do you think at some point it will again fade into obscurity? Why or why not?
Following the enactment of the federal AWB in 1994, I seem to recall that the efforts of the anti's to push for more legislation, both at the federal and state levels, largely dissipated; or at least that was my impression of it, considering that any media drumbeat for such efforts also largely tapered off during that time. I ascribe this to a general loss of appetite among the antis following their spectacular losses in the midterms immediately afterwards - Bill Clinton was well known for having said as much.
Anyway, after the AWB sunset and the nearly ten years since, we heard practically nothing From them before Sandy Hook - mass shootings like Columbine and VA Tech didn't even reignite the debate in any large measure. Now, gun control is back in the news as a regular topic, and seems to show no further indications of any disinterest in the media as was previously the case, despite the failure of the UBC bill to pass last year and the recall elections in Colorado presenting what was by all accounts a stern rebuke of the gun control movement. The Brady Campaign was on the verge of financial insolvency before the fresh influx of Bloomberg cash got them off life support.
So, my question is, what makes this issue different this go around? And do you think at some point it will again fade into obscurity? Why or why not?