Good documentary - Gunned Down

[The_Squid]

You can watch it on the PBS website. It's about the power of the NRA and the impotence of anyone who might oppose "America's largest lobby group".

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/gunned-down/

[Derek 2.0]

You can watch it on the PBS website. It's about the power of the NRA and the impotence of anyone who might oppose "America's largest lobby group".

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/gunned-down/

I agree, I watched it several weeks ago on PBS and then again tonight on CBC.........I thought it a somewhat fair piece in its delivery, as opposed to most anti-gun hit jobs, interviewing (former) NRA senior members as opposed to a doc commissioned several years ago by CNBC (America's Gun: The rise of the AR-15) which relied upon the more extreme elements from the gun-rights side, likewise playing more upon fear.......Some of the short links from the PBS link were also well done.

Of course, I feel most PBS/Frontline Docs are well done.

[bush_cheney2004]

The CBC is linking to this program with the following byline:

How does the NRA use its unrivalled political power to stop gun regulation in the U.S.? Gunned Down examines why despite the tragedies in Newtown & Columbine, & the shooting of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, the U.S. government hasn't acted.

The U.S. government "acted" in 1968.

[Shady]

I thought this might be a documentary about the Paris shootings. Oh well.

[Mighty AC]

You can watch it on the PBS website. It's about the power of the NRA and the impotence of anyone who might oppose "America's largest lobby group".

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/gunned-down/

This was excellent, definitely worth watching. Thanks for the link.

[Shady]

You can watch it on the PBS website. It's about the power of the NRA and the impotence of anyone who might oppose "America's largest lobby group".

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/gunned-down/

That's definitely a good documentary. I'm a big fan of the documentary Waiting For Superman, which is basically shows the same type of power of the teachers unions, and the impotence of anyone that opposes them.

[eyeball]

That's definitely a good documentary. I'm a big fan of the documentary Waiting For Superman, which is basically shows the same type of power of the teachers unions, and the impotence of anyone that opposes them.

Someone should sic the NRA on them - tell mass murderers to lay off the students and go after teachers.

Edited January 26, 2015 by eyeball

[bush_cheney2004]

The NRA is not the largest lobby group in the U.S.

That would be AARP with about 35 million members....same as the entire population of Canada.

[Derek 2.0]

The NRA is not the largest lobby group in the U.S.

That would be AARP with about 35 million members....same as the entire population of Canada.

The film never suggested the NRA was the largest lobby group, but one of the most effective and powerful lobby groups in Washington.

[bush_cheney2004]

The film never suggested the NRA was the largest lobby group, but one of the most effective and powerful lobby groups in Washington.

Sorry, but the original OP implied otherwise...."America's largest lobby group"

[Derek 2.0]

Sorry, but the original OP implied otherwise...."America's largest lobby group"

Right, which in terms of size its clearly not, likewise is far outspent by the defense/energy/Pharma/Agribusiness etc lobby groups, but (as highlighted in the film) is more effective because of its ability to mobilize its membership at the ballot box.

[GostHacked]

I thought the Industrial Military Complex was the biggest gun lobby group in the USA.

[eyeball]

I'd say they're pretty natural affiliates when it comes to lobbying, especially at the manufacturing level.

[Derek 2.0]

I'd say they're pretty natural affiliates when it comes to lobbying, especially at the manufacturing level.

There is some crossover between the two industries, but largely they are separate. For example, Smith & Wesson, Colt and Remington/Bushmaster could all compete for a DoD contract, but in such a case, a group like the NRA isn’t going to pick favourites among its own industry members to lobby for. In that example, it’s the individual manufactures that utilize their own lobbyists.

[eyeball]

There must be a lot of ideological and politicking crossover too...cutting every which way across party lines given all the money that gets doled out to them.

[Shady]

The film never suggested the NRA was the largest lobby group, but one of the most effective and powerful lobby groups in Washington.

Even then, the AARP trumps the NRA. There's a reason why social security reform is considered the third rail in politics. You touch it at your own peril.

[bush_cheney2004]

Even then, the AARP trumps the NRA. There's a reason why social security reform is considered the third rail in politics. You touch it at your own peril.

Agreed...there have been several federal and state actions legislating gun control since 1968, while seniors got Medicare Part D !

[Derek 2.0]

There must be a lot of ideological and politicking crossover too...cutting every which way across party lines given all the money that gets doled out to them.

Certainly…..More so with the defense industry and to a lesser degrees with firearms industry. With the firearms industry, the political divide is more felt at the State level……case in point, post Sandy Hook, several “Blue” States brought forth further gun-control legislation, as a response industry from within those States have threatened to and have left the States (and withdrawn sales and support to said States police forces) for “Red” States.

In the case of Connecticut, after attempting to bring forth bans/restrictions on AR-15s, Colt threatened to leave the State, when faced with said threat, the State legislature offered Colt assurances that they could still produce AR-15/M-16/M-4s within the State, but just not sell their products within the State……Colt has since left for Texas, and with it, skilled (union) jobs and a source of tax revenue.

The same story was likely to play out with Remington/Bushmaster within New York State, until legislation was altered and the Federal Government handed a contract to Big Green (that weren’t thought to win on merit), then Remington moved production of handguns and AR-15 like rifles to Alabama……….

Likewise Colorado and MAGPUL….The State brought forth further gun laws, MAGPUL left for Texas and Wyoming, taking with it ~$80 million to the Colorado economy….After the 2014 Election, Colorado Democrats lost the State Senate and barely held onto the State House and Governorship, well also losing a US Senate seat to the GOP….it’s expected the GOP at both levels will attain further gains in 2016….

[Derek 2.0]

Even then, the AARP trumps the NRA. There's a reason why social security reform is considered the third rail in politics. You touch it at your own peril.

But again......the film didn't discount other lobby groups.

[Derek 2.0]

Agreed...there have been several federal and state actions legislating gun control since 1968, while seniors got Medicare Part D !

Sure, but the NRA didn't get politically active until the late 70s..........Irony of ironies, Chuck Heston, in '68, supported LBJ's gun control.......

[overthere]

Even then, the AARP trumps the NRA. There's a reason why social security reform is considered the third rail in politics. You touch it at your own peril.

Mmmmmm... Personally, I am more afraid of people with automatic weapons than geezers in walkers.

[Shady]

Mmmmmm... Personally, I am more afraid of people with automatic weapons than geezers in walkers.

Who has automatic weapons?

[On Guard for Thee]

Who has automatic weapons?

Legally, just the military. Semi automatic, pick one up at your corner store.

[Derek 2.0]

Legally, just the military. Semi automatic, pick one up at your corner store.

In the United States, not so, one just needs to live in a class three state and have a tax stamp......In Canada, a 12.3 license.

[overthere]

Who has automatic weapons?

It is hard to see the selector lever position when you're looking down the barrel.