In today’s New York Times, columnist Joe Nocera urges New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg to continue his crusade for gun control once he leaves office.
Much factors into Nocera’s plea, not least of which is Bloomberg’s passion and persuasiveness. Saliently, though, Bloomberg also has bucks.
Let’s not be coy here — you’re rich. The N.R.A. has an annual budget that is reported to be $300 million. In 2011, the combined budgets of all the groups trying to prevent gun violence came to around $16 million.
Gabby Giffords may not have Bloomberg’s bucks but she also sees a need to challenge the gun lobby amd with husband Mark Kelly today announced in USA Today their latest initiative, Americans for Responsible Solutions.
Giffords may not have Bloomberg’s money, but she has his ambitions:
Until now, the gun lobby’s political contributions, advertising and lobbying have dwarfed spending from anti-gun violence groups. No longer. With Americans for Responsible Solutions engaging millions of people about ways to reduce gun violence and funding political activity nationwide, legislators will no longer have reason to fear the gun lobby. Other efforts such as improving mental health care and opposing illegal guns are essential, but as gun owners and survivors of gun violence, we have a unique message for Americans.
Giffords and Kelly speak to ABC about their new initiative and about her recovery since Jared Loughner shot her in the head and killed six others two years ago in Tucson.
