October 8, 2008 - 3:43pm
News

Gun-control group taking aim at NRA-friendly lawmakers

It's no secret that many legislators in Pennsylvania live in fear of the National Rifle Association. Phil Goldsmith wants to change that.

The former managing director under Philadelphia Mayor John Street and current head of the gun-control group CeaseFire PA says the organization's new political action committee will be targeting lawmakers who have often acceded to the NRA's powerful lobby, while also propping up those who have worked to keep handguns off the street (a nod to Philadelphia Magazine for being first on this one).

"My goal is that there be another voice out there than just the NRA, and that when legislators decide to make up their minds on these policy issues that they understand it's not just the NRA that they have to listen to," Goldsmith, also a former Philadelphia journalist, told PolitickerPA.com.

"We've got to show that you can buck the NRA and still win, and that if you buck CeaseFire you may have a contest on your hands," he added.

Goldsmith declined to disclose how much the organization is spending on the effort, or what races it was jumping into. He did say the group would be involved in less than a dozen races and would be wary to target elections where gun-friendly lawmakers lack strong opponents.

"There may be someone we don't like, but if he or she doesn't have viable competition, we're not going to spend our money there," he said. "This is our first real stab at it."

"My goal is that legislators make their decisions based on solid policy and not just on fear," Goldsmith added.

DAN HIRSCHHORN is a PolitickerPA.com Reporter and can be reached via email at danh@politickerpa.com.
Related topics: Philadelphia, Phil Goldsmith

Comments

I am the NRA. The NRA is


I am the NRA.

The NRA is comprised of members who contribute money to support the cause of protecting the 2nd Amendment of our Bill of Rights.

Every year there are numerous anti-liberty bills introduced in the states and counties across our nation. Get on the NRA Alerts list to receive the emails about the attempts of infringing on this guaranteed right.

If a single citizen requests of a particular anti-liberty government to protect or reinstate our right of self defense, they will simply be ignored. Even if many people protested in front of city hall, it would accomplish nothing.

However, if millions across the country gave money to one large group that focuses solely on the issue you care about, then it can accomplish much. The NRA is the largest group that can make our voices heard in anti-liberty governments.

10/09/08 3:19 pm

Targeting the real killers


It it very sad that the NRA has to lobby to save American rights under the Constitution.

After all it is a major part of our great Nation's Constitution, you know that Second Amendment the one that comes right after the First Amendment?

If we want to prevent needless deaths perhaps we should lobby to outlaw all tobacco products...deaths from firearms are insignificant compared to deaths caused from tobacco.

And if we want to protect the children perhaps we should lobby to outlaw all hard candies...many more children die each year from choking on candy than from firearms.

And what about alcohol? Oh wait, they tried that once didn't they...

And drugs? What about outlawing drugs, THAT ONE worked really well didn't it?

Criminals will always have guns, you see they really don't give a crap about the laws...

10/09/08 6:01 pm

Gun Control is a failed and dangerous expermiment.


It's founded on lies. The lie that criminals obey the law; the lie that the police have a duty to protect; and the lie that citizens have no "need" to ever fear the power of the state because it will always remain benign.

10/12/08 10:17 pm

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