Kansas City Public Radio Pursues NRA Lobbying Blame Game

Simplistic connect-the-dots political rhetoric against "the gun lobby" needs more context and reporting.

Moreover . . .

When we talk about donations from the NRA it's important to compare that cash with the money spent on politicos altogether. 

Don't get it twisted . . . Here at TKC we believe that most elected officials are "on the take" in one way or another.

Nevertheless . . . 

From big pharma to big energy and so many other groups with cash to peddle influence, the "gun lobby" argument isn't a path toward a solution to a crisis in American violence . . . It's just another talking point.

Accordingly, here's what KCUR reports on the topic . . . 

"Federal officials are responding to Tuesday’s mass shooting at an elementary school in Texas, the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. Many Democrats have called for more restrictions on gun access. While Republican lawmakers have condemned the shooting, critics were quick to point out the tight relationships these lawmakers have held with the NRA."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

How much has the NRA spent on Missouri and Kansas members of Congress?

Federal officials are responding to Tuesday's mass shooting at an elementary school in Texas, the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. Many Democrats have called for more restrictions on gun access. While Republican lawmakers have condemned the shooting, critics were quick to point out the tight relationships these lawmakers have held with the NRA.

If the NRA owns Republicans, Planned Parenthood owns Democrats

In August 2015, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., took to the Senate floor to decry ongoing Republican attempts to defund Planned Parenthood. The vote was taking place after a summer in which the nation watched grisly undercover videos showing Planned Parenthood abortion doctors discussing the sale of fetal body parts to activists posing as researchers.

Leading lobbying industries U.S. 2020 | Statista

In 2020, the pharmaceuticals and health products industry in the United States spent the most on lobbying efforts, totaling to about 306.23 million U.S. dollars. In the same year, the insurance industry spent about 151.85 million U.S. dollars on lobbying.

Guns rights groups haven't spent this much on lobbying since Sandy Hook shooting

Gun rights groups, like the NRA and Gun Owners of America, spent $15.8 million on lobbying last year-and another $2 million in the first quarter of 2022.

Pharma lobbying held deep influence over opioid policies

The Associated Press and the Center for Public Integrity teamed up to investigate the influence of pharmaceutical companies on state and federal policies regarding opioids, the powerful painkillers that have claimed the lives of 165,000 people in the U.S. since 2000. The news agencies tracked proposed laws on the subject and analyzed data on how [...]

Further reading . . .

If the NRA owns Republicans, Planned Parenthood owns Democrats

In August 2015, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., took to the Senate floor to decry ongoing Republican attempts to defund Planned Parenthood. The vote was taking place after a summer in which the nation watched grisly undercover videos showing Planned Parenthood abortion doctors discussing the sale of fetal body parts to activists posing as researchers.

Leading lobbying industries U.S. 2020 | Statista

In 2020, the pharmaceuticals and health products industry in the United States spent the most on lobbying efforts, totaling to about 306.23 million U.S. dollars. In the same year, the insurance industry spent about 151.85 million U.S. dollars on lobbying.

Guns rights groups haven't spent this much on lobbying since Sandy Hook shooting

Gun rights groups, like the NRA and Gun Owners of America, spent $15.8 million on lobbying last year-and another $2 million in the first quarter of 2022.

Pharma lobbying held deep influence over opioid policies

The Associated Press and the Center for Public Integrity teamed up to investigate the influence of pharmaceutical companies on state and federal policies regarding opioids, the powerful painkillers that have claimed the lives of 165,000 people in the U.S. since 2000. The news agencies tracked proposed laws on the subject and analyzed data on how [...]

You decide . . .