It is all too easy to forget that the National Rifle Association is just one of a number of gun rights groups buying up American politicians by the barrel. We know this because the federal law requires disclosure in certain cases, and the Center for Responsive Politics makes it easy to follow the money whenever possible.
The NRA and other gun rights advocates’ popular argument is that “people kill people,” not guns, and they’re partially right. People do kill people – and the NRA and other groups make it possible by paying off some of our politicians to ignore the problem.
Make no mistake, though. While gun rights groups are buying our politicians, these politicians are responsible for the current crop of crazy gun rights v. gun control arguments and are from both sides of the aisle and every branch of government.
Following The Money
It is difficult to determine which groups are contributing to which candidate for a variety of reasons. SCI’s 2016 recipient list is unavailable, as is that of the NRA. The SCI does not disclose donors, while the NRA does, but only over a certain amount. The National Shooting Sports Foundation and the National Association for Gun Rights only disclose totals.
The CRP, which help follow the money and made the above presidential candidate recipient list available, shows:
- The NRA has given $251,475 in donations to Republicans and $1,000 to Democrats this cycle;
- SCI has given $212,500 in donations to Republicans and $12,000 to Democrats this cycle;
- National Shooting Sports Foundation gave in donations $28,500 to Republicans, and
- National Assn for Gun Rights gave $9,500 in donations to Republicans.
The NRA alone has spent $251,475 buying Republicans and $1,000 buying Democrats this election cycle (2016), including presidential candidates – almost all of them.
Buying Die Hard Or Wishy-Washy Candidates?
First up is Senator Raphael “Ted” Cruz (R-Texas). Known for his fierce pro-gun stance, Sen. Cruz advocates a “gun for every citizen,” and went so far as to demonstrate how to cook “machine gun bacon.” Uh-huh, real responsible, Sen. Cruz…
Would it surprise you to learn that Sen. Cruz is not the highest paid-for Republican candidate? Having received $36,229, despite his being the most vocal on gun rights, he comes in second.
Believe it or not, Ben Carson (R) is the single highest-paid presidential candidate bought by gun rights groups, and he’s received $37,622 to date, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Although Carson often touts his pro-gun rights stance, he often clashes with popular pro-gun opinions.
According to the NRA’s standards, Carson is wishy-washy with statements such as only “law abiding citizens” should have guns, and city dwellers shouldn’t have semi-automatics, only those living in the country, so it’s interesting to see him as the highest paid gun-rights presidential candidate.
Gun rights groups are buying other presidential candidates including:
Yes, even Republican front runner Donald Trump got money from gun rights groups. While it’s not much of a surprise, he has claimed to not get money from SuperPACs.
Democrats Get Donations Too
On the flip side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) have also received money from gun rights groups. Notably absent from the gun rights recipient list is Martin O’Malley (D-Md.), who is a staunch NRA opponent.
Sec. Clinton received $3,100 from gun rights organizations, and has recently flip-flopped from her 2008 presidential campaign stance. Sec. Clinton actively pushes for universal background checks, according to the Washington Times, and she doesn’t want terrorists, or other criminals, to have a gun,
Sen. Sanders received $250 from gun rights groups. Sen. Sanders is pro-hunting and pro-responsible gun ownership, and some Democrats take issue with those views and with the way he’s voted. There is no reason to freak out over some of his so called “anti-democratic” votes, because they’re not.
Hunting is a perfectly acceptable use of gun, as is defending oneself and pro-responsible gun ownership. The Safari Club International has similar views, and it is highly likely the SCI donated to Sen. Sanders, and both are in stark contrast to the NRA’s rabid “everyone must own a gun” stance.
Thousands are injured and killed from “regular” shootings and other gun violence daily, and hundreds of mass shootings happen every year – 355 mass shootings since January 1 this year alone.
It’s nice to know who the gun rights groups are buying, and which candidates owe a favor or two, isn’t it?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaZGaJrd3x8]
An email was sent to to each of the candidates asking if they wish to disclose from where the donations came. This story will be updated to reflect any answers received.
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