The NRA hasn’t been relevant to mainstream gun owners in years. And I’m not sure what ranges you’ve been to, I’ve found more diversity at small family owned ranges in central Oklahoma than I did in Starbucks in Seattle. When I lived in WA before OK I was almost always in the minority at the range as a straight white male. Gun ownership is far more diverse than just MAGA assholes and the NRA used to have power because millions of voting gun owners agreed with their message at the time. That hasn’t been the case in a decade and they have never spent enough to be politically relevant from traditional lobbying alone.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

That's good to know. TBH most of what I was talking about was my experiences at ranges and gun shops in Eastern PA, a little N of Philadelphia. A few years ago I moved to a large city in the mid-West and haven't had a chance to visit many ranges; and the ones close to me are indoor -- I'd have to travel a bit to get rural enough to find an outdoor range. So I honestly don't know how things have changed in the past 5 years, and things tend to be more liberal it large metro areas anyway.

It's encouraging to hear that tha NRA is losing support. I still feel that Trump is considered safer for 2A than Biden; if he's (Trump) not actively defending 2A, he's at least not talking about strengthening gun laws. And that hasn't changed: 2A is still a single-issue voting decider. Relatively few of us gun owners are not passionate about gun ownership, where it's a hobby, not a lifestyle.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (2 children)

I still feel that Trump is considered safer for 2A than Biden; if he's (Trump) not actively defending 2A, he's at least not talking about strengthening gun laws.

Feelings aside, trump banned bump stocks and Biden hasn't done much of anything but talk.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago

I mean, it's not my talking point. 2A is a key plank of the Rebublican platform, regardless of how little they can control Orange Putin. While addressing gun violence is a key plank in the Democrat one. Maybe discerning voters like yourself will change their votes based on this - I doubt any "gun nut" in central PA will. Trump doesn't talk about guns, Biden does. Words speak louder than actions in American politics.

Frankly, I don't think 2A is a topic Trump has an opinion about, or gives much thought to. He'll pass whatever gun legislation he thinks will make him more popular, and after Las Vegas, throwing his weight behind legislation that the NRA itself had advocated and had been in the works for 2 years before he was elected (thanks, Obama!) was an easy win.

To be clear, I'm not a proponent of 2A. While I enjoy the hobby and indulge in ownership, I believe the 2A is anachronistic and unable to satisfy the purbose for which it was made. And we do have a gun violence issue in the US; if it were at all feasible to eliminate the 2A and all guns, I'd support it. I'm just saying that if you ask a random 2A MAGA which candidate is their choice on this point, they'll say "Trump."

[–] theyoyomaster 2 points 10 months ago

Trump did more directly but behind the scenes Biden has been a nightmare. The ATF should be disbanded and the majority charged for deprivation of rights under the color of law at this point.