I have to applaud the folks who rallied in Helena Tuesday in support of expanded background checks.
It’s an uphill battle because, after all, this is Montana. Gun rights are important here. Many children can recite the Second Amendment before they know their address.
It was also nice to see State Rep. Amanda Curtis, D-Butte, who some say is considering a run for the U.S. House, get involved and tell her family’s tragic story. It’s nice to see a politician do something because it’s the right thing to do although it might not be the best thing for their political career. We could use more of them!
According to reports, the event was “sponsored by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a group funded by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg” and “it was part of the 25-state ‘No More Names’ tour.”
No More Names is hitting 25 states in 100 days this summer. They started June 14 in Newtown, Connecticut, which was the six-month anniversary of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary.
By the way, over 7,300 Americans have been murdered since Newtown. Congress has done nothing.
On the “No More Names” website, they say:
Our leaders in Congress have committed to bringing a life-saving background check bill up for another vote. And we are going to do our part to make that happen. We will visit elected officials across the country and park in front of their home offices so they can’t ignore the 90% of Americans who support common-sense background checks for all gun sales.
The group also called out Senator Max Baucus for his vote against expanded background checks.
Baucus’ office issued a statement and in the Great Falls Tribune Baucus spokeswoman Jennifer Donohue was quoted, in part, saying, “The fact is we aren’t enforcing the laws already on the books — under the Obama Administration federal weapons prosecutions have fallen to the lowest levels in over a decade.”
Baucus is getting pretty good at throwing his party’s President under the bus. He’s found an independent streak recently. Look for more of this independence since he does not have to raise money for re-election.
It’s time people realized that if expanded background check legislation is passed, it does not mean that President Obama will be showing up at your home/underground bunker to take your guns.
Follow me on Twitter @TheWesternWord
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The Western Word 
“democrats in this Montana always use gun control as an easy way to connect to progressive donors and organizers in the state” Really? Show me a mailer or ad where this is the case. The western Democrats I know (the upper case D indicates party affiliation, rather than a general political philosophy) usually tell folk that we don’t want their guns, we have enough of our own, thank you. Speaking out for any form of gun control takes some spine for ANY politician in Montana.
Mike’s description of Amanda’s “people before politics” approach hit the nail on the head. That’s MY legislator! Yeah!
Did you read the senate bill? How would it not hurt at all, or be a good idea, to make millions of Americans submit more information and jump through more hurdles when you have no idea if the legislation itself even address’s much less affects the problem you are referencing? That is honestly just silly. And I don’t know what Montana you are talking about, but democrats in this Montana always use gun control as an easy way to connect to progressive donors and organizers in the state. The idea that somehow she is destroying her political career by agreeing with background checks as a democrat looking to fundraise is nonsense.
Thanks for your comments. -JMB
Did you see pictures of the Helena event? Not much of a rally. Turnout was pathetic. Had the feel of astroturf, for sure. Curtis’s speech was really over-wrought, too. But it was a nice day to be outside.
Thanks for your comments. At least they made a showing!
What percentage of the 7,300 killed would not have been killed if there was a background check? What percentage of those killed were because of drugs? Because of gang violence? Because of alcohol?
Baucus voted for what Montana wanted, Testor did not.
Barry – The problem is we will never know. -JmB
So because we will never know, lets legislate!…wait what?
Mike – That would be fine by me! -Jmb
So how is it a good idea to legislate and pass into law something when you have no idea whether or not it will address the problem?….And how is supporting background checks a bad thing for a Democrat looking to raise money to run for congress?
So how is it a good idea to legislate and pass into law something when you have no idea whether or not it will address the problem?
Answer: It would not hurt at all.
And how is supporting background checks a bad thing for a Democrat looking to raise money to run for congress?
Answer: This is Montana.