Posted on 07/29/2008 6:30:37 PM PDT by neverdem
Democratic lawmakers and leaders are hoping to work out a compromise as early as this week with the National Rifle Association (NRA) on legislation to further loosen gun laws in the District of Columbia.
Reps. John Tanner (D-Tenn.) and John Dingell (D-Mich.) are working with the gun-lobbying group to head off a discharge petition filed last week that would bypass committee to bring a D.C. gun bill directly to the floor.
“Dingell and Tanner are going to negotiate a compromise with the NRA and then show it to the leadership,” said a Democratic aide.
The NRA has threatened to make the signing the petition a “key vote.” That means that Democrats in favor of gun rights who don’t buck leadership to sign it could see their NRA rating suffer.
Some Republicans are angered that the NRA, considered one of the most powerful and effective lobbying operations in Washington, is negotiating with Democrats rather than holding their feet to the fire. One aide called the strategy “naïve.”
But the NRA has reason to bargain, too. The group wants a victory to follow up on the Supreme Court ruling rejecting the District’s ban on handguns. But it is running out of time on the legislative calendar. There is only one day, Sept. 22, left on which a discharge bill can be forced to the floor, and Democrats could sidestep it procedurally by canceling votes that day.
In addition, if Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is elected president, conservative Democrats such as the members of the Blue Dog Coalition are one of the few legislative bulwarks against Democratic attempts to further regulate guns.
Spokesmen for the NRA and Tanner did not return messages seeking comment. Dingell’s office said there was no change from a statement last week that called the situation “very fluid.”
Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) filed the discharge petition last Thursday to bring a bill by Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.), a Blue Dog leader, to the floor. The bill, drafted before the June court ruling, would erase some of the district’s remaining gun laws.
One hundred and nine GOP members have signed the petition. Ross’s bill has 247 co-sponsors, including 56 Democrats.
But even if Souder gets the 218 signatures needed to force the bill to the floor, it will be difficult to get a vote. After the threshold is met, Souder must wait seven legislative days. Then, rules say discharges can only be done on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. That leaves only Sept. 22 for a vote on the gun bill. But the majority can avoid a vote by not going into session on that Monday.
Signing a discharge petition is considered a slap at party leaders. But if Democrats knew there wouldn’t be a floor vote, they might be able to sign the discharge petition with impunity.
Which leaves negotiations. One possible element of a compromise would include allowing District residents to buy guns in Virginia and Maryland and transport them home. Currently, there are no licensed gun dealers in the District, so there is no legal way for residents to get a gun to their home.
The DC Circuit Court's "uppitiness" has already resulted in the Heller decision. The DC Circuit Court must now obey the decision of the Supreme Court. They have no latitude to do otherwise. It's too late to change their minds.
I’d Tango with the devil.
And I’d find a way to win.
Absolutely correct!!!
So how many times have legislators fooled us?
What’s the bill number? I need to know whether it is a good compromise that gains freedom or a bad compromise that loses it? I also need to know if this effects the latest lawsuit.
I'm a life member, but the NRA won't get more money from me. Not after what Alan Gura said about them, or their 2006 endorsement decisions, like Joe Schwarz with an A-. A-? Maybe D-, and that's if I'm being generous.
From Bridge to Troubled Water (Sen. Ted Stevens should resign.)
Where’s the Bounce? (For Barack Obama after his great trip overseas)
D.C. Is Sued Again Over Handgun Rules
From time to time, I’ll ping on noteworthy articles about politics, foreign and military affairs. FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.
Compromise?
How about the way US Grant compromised at Fort Donelson?
How about like Harry Truman compromised with Emperor Hirohito?
Sure, let’s compromise.
I agree...this is poor strategy by the NRA.
Thanks for the ping!
Where are you? Come tell us how this is a “good thing”...
I don't have a clue. You'll have to hunt at Thomas. I'm busy now.
The GOA is AWOL as usual.
You would be throwing your money away.
I’ll wait until I see the results before I make a decision.
You’re worried about that fireman with that axe in his hand while your house burns to the ground.
Just what does the NRA have to do with the SCOTUS case?
As I understand it, the case was the brainchiild of Robert Levy, a wealthy entrepreneur affiliated with the Cato Institute, not the NRA. Levy developed, strategized and funded the case personally... so now NRA comes in for the bows? oh, and fundraising?
NRA compromises with theses guys, my donations and membership go elsewhere.
The DC Circuit upheld Heller’s position. It was the DC government that challenged the DC Circuit Court of Appeals decision and brought it to the SCOTUS.
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