Important headlines for April 25th – NRA's recording setting run
Bottom Line: Stories you shouldn't miss and my takes on them
The NRA just broke a 15-year fundraising record - Miami Herald
Excerpt: In the wake of the Parkland school shooting, the March For Our Lives protests, and unprecedented levels of criticism, the National Rifle Association broke a 15-year fundraising record last month. The NRA’s Political Victory Fund raised $2.4 million from March 1 to March 31—nearly three times the amount the gun-rights group took in during the same period last year, the Miami Herald reports. In fact, it’s the most money raised by the NRA’s political arm in one month since June 2003.
Hot Take: I'm a strong supporter of the second amendment. I'm not a member of the NRA. I don't agree with all of the policy positions of the NRA but I also not the least bit surprised by this outcome – in fact I'd suggested this would occur based on focus being on gun control rather than the failures by the FBI, and potentially other law enforcement along with the school district's policies. When the March for Our Lives rally resulted in more blame being placed on the NRA than Nikolas Cruz, it was a given that there would be a backlash.
It was always wrong to make this about the NRA. They didn't kill anyone at Stoneman Douglas – Nikolas Cruz did. By slandering the organization the way that many, and the movement generally have done, they've led to many feeling the need to send a message of their own. And that's exactly what they did. Guns don't kill people, knives either...nor do bombs or vehicles - people do. Until and unless we're more serious about getting to the root of the issues that've led to increased violence in our society and identify the individuals on the brink – we'll accomplish little. Guns aren't new, the NRA isn't new, the increase in violence is... Make it about the NRA and they'll only become a stronger, more well-funded organization. Make it about fixing the failures in our system and understanding the people responsible and we've got a chance of making a meaningful difference.
Until tomorrow...