U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- Well, the 2018 midterm elections are in the books. In some ways, they went very well – the GOP took out four Democrats who voted against Donald Trump’s pro-Second Amendment judicial nominees, while confirming anti-Second Amendment judges selected by Barack Obama. In governor’s races, some previously pro-Second Amendment governorships went the other way due to retirements, and the loss of Scott Walker is a devastating blow in the Badger State.
The House of Representatives, though, was an unmitigated disaster. The nightmare of Jerry Nadler running the House Judiciary Committee is happening. You’re not dreaming. The House of Representatives will now be debating and voting on whether to punish millions of law-abiding gun owners for shootings they never committed. What do we learn from this?
Sometimes Other Issues Prevail
Many of the House races were not centered on the Second Amendment. Some were decided on local issues, but in many cases, it was either health care or the tone of President Trump that dominated. There isn’t a lot that can be done, except to encourage more of the fence-sitters you know to make a failure to support the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens a deal-breaker.
Bloomberg’s Billions Count
While those who exercise their Second Amendment rights are far more engaged, Michael Bloomberg is swamping us with money. The passage of I-1639 is one example, but so is the fact that several Senators who were strongly anti-Second Amendment survived in states where Trump won. House seats also went the other way, and Bloomberg’s ability to drop millions is one factor.
Showing Up Matters
Bloomberg’s billions allow him to take the fight to any location of his choosing. Sadly, too many of the established Second Amendment groups, including the NRA, have been focused on solidifying the base, and not enough on outreach in the suburbs and urban areas. This has to change, and the best way to do that is for Second Amendment supporters to find ways to get involved in their communities, and they may need to keep that support in the closet initially, until people get to know them.
The Future Battlefield is Being Shaped
We see this in Florida, where the passage of Amendment 4 will put as many as a million convicted felons on the voter rolls. This will have an effect of future elections in that state. Nadler chairing House Judiciary Committee will have effects as well, especially when hearings are called on Second Amendment issues.
A Fighting Spirit Matters
When Beto O’Rourke defended the anthem kneelers, he inspired nationwide enthusiasm. He did not win the Senate seat in Texas, but he arguably helped take out some pro-Second Amendment representatives with coattails. Similarly, the GOP Senate’s decision to stand up for Kavanaugh probably was a big reason that Heitkamp, Donnelly, Nelson, and McCaskill will be polishing their resumes – and it is to be determined if Tester will also have to do that.
Races Down-Ticket Matter
The loss of various state attorney general races will have an effect on Second Amendment rights. These state officials can find ways to attack our Second Amendment rights, whether via shenanigans on referendums (see I-1639) or by attacking pro-Second Amendment groups (it will not just be the province of governors like Andrew Cuomo).
The Best and Worst is Yet to Come
We can expect to see pro-Second Amendment judges (and Supreme Court justices, should openings occur) sail through the Senate. This will have an effect, especially as the NRA’s case against Cuomo moves forward. That said, we will see the House of Representatives used as a means to attack the Second Amendment and to create new issues.
About Harold Hutchison
Writer Harold Hutchison has more than a dozen years of experience covering military affairs, international events, U.S. politics and Second Amendment issues. Harold was consulting senior editor at Soldier of Fortune magazine and is the author of the novel Strike Group Reagan. He has also written for the Daily Caller, National Review, Patriot Post, Strategypage.com, and other national websites.
HUHM, I am quite pleased the Dems took over and we can now get moving on getting rid of Our illegitimate president who is owned by China, Putin, and The Saudis. The NRA?? Really? This group funnels 30 million Kremlin dollars to the GOP and you want to support this fascist organization?? I don’t understand how anyone is supporting any organization in bed with the Russian Oligarchs and Putin. Have we all gone mad? This is a forum on gun control? best look at priorities
It may be a little early for lessons learned.
I’ll try again to get a comment published here. There were no lessons learned in Oregon for we re-elected Kate Brown and now have a Democrat super majority in the State House. I can only foresee anti-gun, anti-due process laws inacted without the vote of the public. I feel like selling all, ALL my wordly possessions and hitting the road.
hello from what used to be Nevada. keep your eye on the Prize…they want the 2nd amendment! if you look at Clark county and Washoe County the NP People took just enough so the communist, EU sell outs could win. dead people, unions and morons killed Nevada, guess they will do away with the state border. We should have had a civil war when we had the chance. now we march to the EU agenda, make America a brown, border less shite hole with no Constitution. slow, slow death by stupidity (infectous californious).7 November 2018. all part of the EU… Read more »
We had a record mid-term voter turn out with a threat of a blue wave that did not happen. What did happen though, is that we have a president who got out and worked hard to stump targeted areas where the races were identified as close. As a result, we gained seats in the senate lost fewer seats in the house than what had been projected.
The female vote is the problem. They are anti gun and anti male. it is not just suburban women. Throw into the mix brain dead union workers who do not understand that rich people invest and create employment not union bosses who feed money to the Democratic party, that is determined to disarm the working man including brain dead hunters who naively think ” ..diay ain’t gonna take my hunting rifle…” . What stupid men….. Take a look as Australia. First it was those nasty assault weapons now hunters have to hunt with blunt sticks. It now is almost too… Read more »
Look forward to 2 years of endless investigations into Trump and his administration. Instead of legislators focusing on America they will spend their time trying to undermine the Trump agenda. I guess if you don’t have a job and have not realized the benefits of this administration it doesn’t matter, but if you are a taxpaying citizen like me I want more winning. congratulations to the lazy POS non voters. Enjoy the misery.