Yes, we can break the NRA stranglehold
In the space of a few hours, thousands of voters took the pledge to oppose any candidate who take NRA money and with almost no direct outreach, over 60 candidates from across the country are already pledging to reject NRA support.
These aren't just progressive candidates in the bluest regions of the country. In fact the first candidate to sign is a retired police sergant and Army veteran running in deep red Pennsylvania for the State Assembly District 8. One of the latest is a candidate for Governor of Iowa.
Something is shifting right now in the aftermath of the Parkland massacre.
A different energy is building to finally break the NRA's stranglehold that has thwarted meaningful progress on common sense gun policy.
Perhaps it is the presence of Trump in the White House that has left people aware that we will have to do this ourselves.
Perhaps it is the powerful voices of students speaking with clarity who are telling the world adults have failed, politicians have abandoned them and the NRA has silenced voters for too long. They are the post-Columbine generation and they are ready to fight back.
The NRA is losing its grip
And for the first time we are beginning to see fractures appear publicly on the GOP side of the aisle.
A top GOP donor informed every candidate he has previously backed that his checkbook is closed unless they back a ban on assault rifles. Now NRA endorsed Governor Jon Kaish and former Florida Govenor Jeb Bush are breaking with the NRA playbook.
This is a the line in the sand that will be a litmus test issue for voters.
Here are tools to hold candidate and elected leaders
accountable and spread the word
1) Find out who is taking money from the NRA
Check out and share this spreadsheet from the Center for Responsible Politics. docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-7PdCI2NawSgP1QE-cGYVYedetYqepR-4jBweaJyqFo/edit#gid=1782600961
2) Ask your elected leaders and candidates to take the #NoNRAMoney pledge
Here's some sample language:
I'm a constitutent in your district and I have pledge NOT TO VOTE for any candidate who take money from the NRA.
I and the majority of Americans support common sense gun policy and we refuse to be held hostage by gun lobby extremists.
Please go to www.NoNRAMoney.org and sign the pledge rejecting NRA support.
If not, you know where I stand. #NoNRAMoney
3) Make the Campaign Visible on Social Media
Make the attached NoNRAMoney logo your online avatar and start the conversation.
Tag the campaign when you post.
website: www.NoNRAMoney.org
Twitter: @NoNRAMoney
Instagram: @noNRAmoney
FB: NoNRAMoney
Here are sample posts:
#NoNRAMoney is a national campaign to put candidates on notice: If you take NRA money or support we will organize and vote against you. It is time to make the NRA politically radioactive.www.noNRAmoney.org
I will oppose any candidate who is supported by the NRA.
Join me in ending the gun lobby's stranglehold on common sense gun policy.
Any candidate who takes NRA money will not get my vote. If enough of us make that commitment we can break the NRA’s stranglehold on our elected leaders. Take a stand awww.noNRAmoney.org.
Do you have more ideas? Please share them. This is truly a grassroots effort.
The timing is right. We can win.