A monumental fight is brewing to pass Right-to-Carry reciprocity legislation at the federal level—but it will not be fought on the traditional battlegrounds of Washington, D.C.
That’s because gun control forces lost (or will soon lose) control of every branch of the federal government on Election Day. Pro-Second Amendment forces dominate at the state level, too, accounting for 32 state legislatures and 33 governors. As a result, instead of plotting a campaign to take new ground, old-guard anti-gunners were forced into a rear-guard action—on fields other than legislative ones.
Having all but ceded the halls of the White House, Congress and the Supreme Court, anti-gun forces are now moving to fight national reciprocity on whole new fields of battle, such as:
The Hallways Of The Ex-Presidents Club
There is a long-standing custom in the exclusive club of ex-presidents whereby they refrain from openly criticizing their successors. To his immense credit, President George W. Bush has remained mute about President Barack Obama, even as he and his supporters blamed Bush for every conceivable social or economic ill well into his second term. Who among us could have withstood the temptation to defend ourselves?
In contrast, Obama has already begun to attack President-elect Donald Trump in an attempt to defend his meager legacy. Speaking in Peru on Monday, he said, “If there are issues that have less to do with the specifics of some legislative proposal or battle, but go to core questions about our values and our ideals, and if I think that it’s necessary or helpful for me to defend those ideals, then I’ll examine it when it comes.” Way to stay classy, B.O. Can you remember a time when Obama didn’t think it was necessary to weigh in?
Obama can easily cast reciprocity as an attack on his progressive ideals, which include keeping Americans safe from “gun violence.”
The Streets
Many of the petulant protestors marching through urban centers chanting “Not My President” and “Dump Trump” didn’t even vote—yet that doesn’t stop them from refusing to accept election results that they find objectionable. Encouraged by hours of coverage from media eager to justify their own bias, protesting national reciprocity will feed their need for further free publicity.
How long after national reciprocity legislation is introduced will vendors for MoveOn.org/Occupy print signs that read, “I Have A Right To Be Unarmed!”Can you remember a time when Obama didn’t think it was necessary to weigh in?
The Stage Of “Hamilton”
The field of battle has moved onstage, as the cast of the hit show “Hamilton” set a new precedent for rudeness by lecturing Vice President-elect Mike Pence (with his wife present) from the stage. Among other things, they cautioned him to uphold their “values” in a very public display of passive-aggressiveness.
They represent the dozens of somber, self-righteous actors and musicians who preached to us before the election, and proceeded to lecture us afterwards, using every awards show, concert and talk-show appearance as their bully pulpit.
The post-election high point for gun-banners should have been “Miss Sloane,” Hollywood’s long-awaited anti-gun political drama. The film’s release was almost certainly tied to an expected victory for Hillary Clinton, but, well … maybe it can win the Oscar for spite. However, in the same way that “smart-gun” conversations start with James Bond films, “Miss Sloane” will likely be cited by hysterical media covering reciprocity legislation.
Finally, when confronted with the possibility of national reciprocity, expect these celebs to exploit victims of gun violence, seating them in the audience and bringing them onstage after their smashing performances.
Sanctuary Cities
Ten cities already proudly flout federal immigration law by refusing to detain or prosecute illegal immigrants. After the elections, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel attempted to rehabilitate his image by doubling down on his refusal to follow immigration law; it will be a short leap to extend his snub of federal law by refusing to honor the rights of lawful carry permit holders.
Emanuel and like-minded mayors will likely lead the charge against national Right-to-Carry reciprocity by extending the “sanctuary city” brand to also describe a haven from gun violence—an especially risible position coming from the mayor of “Chiraq.”
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Right-to-Carry reciprocity legislation is coming, but should it find its way to the desk of President Trump, who says he will sign it, don’t expect the fight to be over. Just like the election, it will most likely signal the beginning of hostilities gun owners will face … not the end.
