is it pressure from the nra leadership? nra leaders? check this out.ect to all of those measures. despite the fact that as we just saw, there -- oopsy -- wait hang on -- despite the fact as we just saw -- it's not going to work, but their members themselves disagree with the leadership, and as we said this could be -- yesterday we were reporting this, that the nra is getting money from private companies including the freedom group which is the owner of all of these gun manufacturers like % remington, dakota arms bush massers, this company, the freedom group is controlled by a secret private equity firm, and its ceo sits on the boor of the nra foundation. now you see controlled contact between the nra and gun manufacturers. in fact since 2005 the nra has raked inasmuch as $38.9 million from the firearm's industry over all. so the nra leadership might be more beholden to those companies than frankly to its own members. for more on this i'm joined by pete cohen, he is the author the book writing about the connection between guns, and money and the nra inf

if you look at the way the nra is structured, an nra member pays $35 a year. you can't vote for the board of directors of the nra unless you give a thousand dollars to become a lifetime member. this thought a 4 million member membership but only a couple of thousand can actually vote for the board of directors. the board of directors are beyond extreme. for instance, one of their members, bob brown, publishes -- he owns a company called "pat let impress, publishes "soldier of mercy" and his "how to kill and assassinate without being caught" book series. these are guys that really are on the far extreme and want to arm everybody and sell fear that democrats are going to take your guns away in order to then create a bigger market for gun sales. >> right. >> you know, we now have no ban on assault weapons. so 71 shot at aurora colorado 83 killed that day 71 shot in that one instance, you can buy an ak 47 or an ar-15 with a high-capacity ammunition clip cash and carry and in 33 states at 5,000 gun shows without an id or a background check. >> right. >> and by the

it wasn't until the 1977 nra meeting that a radical faction turned the nra into the fierce anti-gun control lobbying machine it is today. as the "new york times" wrote of the reporting in the case of nra hardliners, they succeeded in pushing the group to the right, riding the wave of conservatism that helps bring ronald reagan to the white house lrb since then, the gun lobby has become even more militant to the point that which many members not only reflexively oppose any attempt to regulate guns as leading to a sliply slope to involuntary disarmament, but also attack those who advocate for gun control, including police chiefs and heads of associations. joining me is mark. welcome to the show. >> thanks for having me. >> your group founded nra members, actually support measures, so why are they so out of step with what seems to be a broader understanding of the necessity of gun control? >> i think there's a couple reasons. one thing you can't escape and that is really the story waiting to be told is that the gun industry has been in a slow and steady decline from the early 1970s, as the pop

. >> is it the nra? >> it a partly the nra. i think part of it is too, though, if the nra is the only voice in the room then legislatures will listen to the nra. gun violence is an epidemic in this country. 30,000 are killed and 70,000 are injured by guns every year in america. and people need to convey that message to the legislatures. >> nra members themselves many of whom support rational gun laws, don't they? >> that is absolutely right. >> so why is there a disconnect between the membership of the nra and the policy arm of the nra? >> i think the policy arm likes to create fear campaigns. we're told that any step towards reasonable gun laws is going to be a full-scale confiscation. >> who is on the board of the nra? >> that's a good question -- >> gun manufacturers are on the board aren't they? not totally, but there are a number on the board -- >> the manufacturing industry is very connected to the nra, and with good reasons. and i think fear campaigns and the increase in military-style weapons, those are to cater to peop

the nra.hey use these scare tactics to raise money. the nra is all about raising money. wayne la pierre makes nearly $1 million a year. and this is his bread and butter. you know, these conspiracies may seem crazy to us, but they're able to sell them to enough people, and they're able to scare enough members of congress so that it works for them. >> cenk: well quickly tonight the president did address this issue on the democratic side. he used more forceful language than he has before. take a listen to what he side at the urban league. >> obama: we recognize the traditions of gun ownership that has passed on from generation to generation that hunting and shooting is part of a cherished national heritage. but i also believe a lot of gun owners would believe that ak-47s belong in the hands of soldiers, not in the hands of criminals. >> jennifer: do you think that signaled some change in the president's position? >> not really. you know, ak-47s. the nra will love that quote. you know, they will s

thanks to the nra. go ahead. >> what i was going to say is that is exactly one of the solutions to this problem, real tow start paying attention. start educating our youth on what it means, life and death with gun ownership and also, to pay attention to those signs, almost all of these -- you mentioned all had some sign of mental illness, some issue that is going on with them. the family needs to be aware of this and needs to bring it to the table because it could save lives. >> let us know what you think. please follow me on twitter @bonnie erbe or @to the tea. from the politics of gun control to more women in congress. >> almost 300 women have filed to run for u.s house seats this election season, and with 20 states yet to hold primary elections, we're on track to shatter the record of women running for seats in the general election. women are not running for the u.s. senate in record breaking numbers but so far, 36 women have filed, with 23 still in the running. north dakota senate candidate heidi he

the republicans pander to the nra. the democrats run squared.nwhile, 83 american families bury their kids and relatives every single day. now you have 70 more killed in a mass shooting with a weapon that law enforcement isn't even allowed to carry in their regular duties. law enforcement has been made the enemy of gun rights by the republicans and democrats who pander to the nra. they carry a service weapon with 13 rounds. meanwhile, we'll find that this guy in colorado just like with virginia tech and columbine they carried multiple rounds. remember, since columbine and virginia tech gun laws have been weakened. law enforcement has been restricted from telling the media where crime guns come from, and the gun industry has been given absolute immunity from lawsuit. that is congress' response. shame on congress. >> eliot: look i could not agree with every word you just said more. i have to tell you when you're in the political battles and i was out there way out in front on these gun control issues, law enforcement is in favor of gun control for

everyone is scared of the nra.here are some things worth losing for in politics and to be able to prevent carnage like this is worth losing for. what the congress ought to do, again, i apologize for talking about this in the wake of all this, but it is important. the congress should reinstate the assault weapons ban. number one, no citizen should be allowed to have an assault rifle. that's clear. there's no reason, no hunter needs it, no citizen needs it to protect their home. citizens are allowed to have firearms, shotguns, no assault weapons. number two, we ought to limit the number of bullets that are allowed to be sold in a clip that goes into an automatic or semi-automatic weapon. had we done that in loughner's case, people would have been saved from serious bodily injury. we need leadership and we need someone to stand up and say enough is enough. again, i agree with dan gross. we don't know where the guns came from but it doesn't matter where the assault rifle came from. citizens shouldn't have assault rifle

>> well, on every single issue, there are differences between myself and the nra. on many issues, we share a common commitment to the second amendment and the right of people to bear arms. but i'm sure from time to time, there'll be issues where they and i might part. i don't have one for you right now. but their agenda's not entirely identical with my own. i don't know that i line up 100% with almost anybody. >> jonathan capehart, classic romney. he's sure he disagrees with the nra about something, but "i don't have one for you right now." >> right, i was going to say, you know, he just threw some croutons on that word salad that joy was talking about. again, that clip that you just showed, you know, just reiterates or sort of verifies what joy just said a moment ago. which is, mitt romney is still enthralled to the conservative base of this party, that he can't say what the old mitt romney would have said in response to that question. you know, i haven't seen the entire interview, but it would be great to know if brian asked a follow-up. you know, hey, just name

the nra won't allow it. politicians are afraid of the nra.talk about it and take your calls but first, we get the latest from across the board, to the's currentnize update from lisa ferguson out in los angeles. good morning, lisa. >> good morning, bill. good morning, everyone. president obama is headed to nevada today after spending sunday in colorado meeting with the victim's families and survivors of the mass shooting in aurora. james holmes will appear in court for the first time this morning. he is accused of killing 12 people and wounding dozens more. as we have heard on bill press, police are now saying holmes is able to build his arsenal on home without any federal background check. the shooting has has mayor michael bloomberg calling for the candidates to doe bate gun control. a non-issue in this season's campaign. and romney says he does not support any new gun laws. president obama obama said he would push to reinstate the federal assault weapons ban that expired in 2004 but he backed away from gun control just before the mid-term e

these are measures most people agree and the nra opposed.hen you buy sudafed d, you give your driver's license, goes into a database. they track how much you buy and the amount you're buying every single time. this gentleman was able to purchase guns and ammunition and there's no database that allowed flags to go off to alert the local police. part of the reason, for example, the atf had been considering gun walking programs because, again, they are not allowed to track the guns. why? the nra fought so viciously against any kind of national database or tracking system out of the quote, unquote, protection of second amendment rights. there's a place here, and this is another example, we have to balance those second amendment rights with the safety and security of our people. >> karen finy, joy, jonathan, my thanks to three of you. today's top lines, they are coming up. an accident doesn't have to slow you down. with better car replacement, if your car is totaled, we give you the money for a car one model year newer. liberty mutual auto insura

but some how there is a mythology about the second amendment propagated by the nra.is viewed with a mening meaning there that some how gives you the right to own a semi semiautomatic machine gun. that simply is not what it means. >> we would like to see an agreement between the contender and the president saying, look, we're going to take care of the safety of our people and not exaggerate between us who is more for a life saving than the other. but we have to go on with this. there are indicators out there that would be very significant. for instance, why can't we shut down the availability of high-capacity magazines? it's ridiculous. this guy in aurora had 100 bullets in his drum. finally it jammed, but 70 shots went out, 58 wounded people and 12 killed people. so that ought to have a reasonable curb on availability. those magazines were designed for the police, law enforcement and military, period. now it's common equipment. >> eliot: look, there is no utility for those high magazine for hunting. they should be inaccessible to online purchasers. i want to read som

this is not the nra representing a minority. the reason its peaks and everybody listens is because obviously, democrats and republicans and the majority of americans agree. it is not a lot, it is is a reflection of public opinion. that is why there is no debate on. >> that is not the case. they intimidate politicians on both sides, both parties. >> if the people were on your side on the issue, there woululd be no intimidation. >> as far back as much was lopsided like a 70% they had enormous power and they managed to intimidate -- >> try once to blame the democrats instead -- >> i blame everybody. >> republicans are not? >> republicans have an issue democrats will not oppose it -- [laughter] >> republicans act out of courage and conviction. >> do you like that position? do you agree with that position? >> i have spoken on this show for 20 years that i am not an opponent of gun control. >> republicans are wrong, sir? >> the reason that this is happening is not because of a lobby but because of a consensus among the majority of ame

the nra, i know it is villainized but it is really people.t for the people supporting next ra, it wouldn't be there. and i think the real issue here is -- >> stephanie: nobody is saying most people in the nra are not responsible gun owners. that's not my point. >> the leadership has made it into such a toxic political organization. >> stephanie: how is in it in 1994 we could get a bipartisan bill passed to ban assault weapons and now it is unheard of. it is probably -- you know what? particularly now chris this is a thing that's worse for mitt romney than the healthcare pill that he passed on the assault weapons ban. >> now he's completely ignoring the fact that he did that. >> stephanie: i'm sure he'll again be something that's something he's flip-flopped on. one more with the president in colorado. >> obama: while we will never know fully what causes somebody to take the life of another we do know what makes life worth living. and the people we lost in aurora loved and they were loved. >> stephanie: then he talked to -- he said he was there

we had an event actually, we did a poll with frank lintz's poll, and he polled nra members, and nra membersverwhelmingly believe that we should have background checks that criminals shouldn't be able to just buy guns, that people that have histories of mental health challenges shouldn't be able to just purchase guns, you know. so, and what was really heartening is the president recognized that it's really gun members, people who have guns, nra members, the broad swath of americans believe in common-sense measures, and i think that really helps show the extreme of the other side. >> neera tanden, president for the center for american progress, thank you so much for being here tonight. >> great to be with you, as always. >>> they say in the middle of disaster is opportunity, right? well, guess what? we are in the middle of a disaster, the worst in 50 years. we have got a once in a generation chance to do something heroic. that is next. >>> heroes, parades and much-deserved displays of gratitude, just ahead. [ feedback ] attention, well, everyone. you can now try snapshot from progressive free

these mayors we are told over and over again you can't possibly oppose the nra.how come they are not bowing their head? >> because this is strong for so many reasons, cenk as you were just pointing out. today frank luntz is not what you would call a liberal conduct conducted a poll and 86% want background checks overall, how about 74% of nra members. 68% of nra members think people shouldn't be able to get concealed weapon permits who have committed domestic violence. and people should have to get some training before they carry concealed weapons. and on and on. i could go on and on on sharing background records on those who are mentally unfit. and whether we should close the terror gap. 82% of nra members think that should be stopped. so there's no excuse, president obama's people -- you pointed out independents too, they shouldldeebl too l lkk democrats, independents and very many republicans and nra members support this stuff. and when you take a look at those numbers, it takes political sense. >> then cliff, i got to ask you, they always throw back at us, whi

>>> and in the "rewrite" tonight, the nra continues to fight for freedom.he freedom for american mass murderers to not have to reload before firing a hundred bullets. [ man ] ever year, sophia and i use the points we earn with our citi thankyou card for a relaxing vacation. ♪ sometimes, we go for a ride in the park. maybe do a little sightseeing. or, get some fresh air. but this summer, we used our thank youpoints to just hang out with a few friends in london. [ male announcer ] the citi thankyou visa card. redeem the points you've earned to travel with no restrictions. rewarding you, every step of the way. >> tonight's episode of "off the cliff cliff!" stars jackie in santa clarita, california, calling into c-span to talk to congressman chris van hollen. >> my biggest question is, with the grover norquist tax thing and going over the cliff, if he's ever watched lawrence o'donnell on msnbc, he's encouraging everyone to go over the cliff, because that will do away with the bush tax cuts and then everybody will be able to vote to lower the tax rates like grov

i think the nra has a strangle hold over both parties on the issue. >> ms.is then. mitt romney says we don't need stricter gun legislation. when he was governor of massachusetts, he signed an assault weapons ban into law. when you go hunting, you don't need an ak-47. yogi bear is not wearing a kevlar jacket. here is how he explains the contradiction. >> as the governor of massachusetts, you did sign legislation restricting or banning assault weapons. did that work in massachusetts to your satisfaction? >> well, actually, the law that we signed in massachusetts was a combination of efforts both on the part of those that were for additional gun rights and those who opposed gun rights, and they came together and made some changes that provided, i think, a better environment for both. and that's why both sides came to celebrate the signing of the bill. >> ms. goff, your response. >> i'm confused. is this a segment where i'm supposed to pretend that i'm surprised mitt romney was flip-flopping on the issue. i didn't know that's what we were here to talk about. tha

it is not nra representing a minority. the reason is speech in everybody this is because democrats and republicans and the majority of the public -- it is a reflection of public opinion and that is why there is no debate on it. >> that is not the k street they intimate politicians on both sides, both parties. >> if people are on the side on the issue, there would be no intimation. >> when it was lopsided, 70%, they have enormous power, great clout -- >> try once to plan the democrats instead of one outside of the. -- blame the democrats instead of one outside lobby. >> republicans are not? >> republicans have a position and democrats want to oppose a it. [laughter] >> do you like that position? >> i of the spoken on this program for 20 years, i'm not an opponent of gun control. >> so republicans are wrong, sir? >> the reason this is not happening is because of a consensus among the majority of americans. >> we have a terrific police chief here. ask her where she stands on gun control, asked mayor bloomberg, any chief in th

that's what the nra thinks and that's next. in the "rewrite."ice of dennis ] switch to allstate. their claim service is so good, now it's guaranteed. [ normal voice ] so i can trust 'em. unlike randy. are you in good hands? at sleep number, individualizing your sleep is at the heart of every innovation. wow. that feels really good! and now, sleep number introduces our new memory foam series-the only memory foam beds with exclusive dual-air technology that adjusts on each side. memory foam just found its better half. sleep number. enjoy introductory savings of $500. and two free coolfit pillows! plus, free shipping through saturday. only at the sleep number store, where queen mattresses start at just $699. challenge that with new olay facial hair removal duo. a two-step process that removes even coarse, stubborn facial hair gently. plenty of gain, without all that pain... with olay. >>> in tonight's "rewrite," freedom. the defenders of movie theater mass murderers' right to use 100-round ammunition clips on their assault rifles, insist that the h

and you went after the nra. when we look at the nra and they've poured millions of dollars into lobbying efforts since 1999. in 1999 they spent $1.6 million in lobbying all the way to last year, 2011 they spend $2,905,000 in lobbying. is it the lobbying dollars and the amount of money they put in? is it their leverage over grading members of congress? what is it you feel the nra is doing that has such influence? >> the lobbying is just the tip of the iceberg. they spend millions of dollars targeted on campaigns and they are very effective at just making stuff up. you heard one of the leaders of the nra recently proclaiming that president obama has a secret plan to take away america's guns in a second term. it's absolutely hogwash. but they have the big lie. they focus campaign contradictions. they do lobbying. and it's reached a point where it is paralytic to move things forward. from my vantage point, however, what's important is that they are so extreme they're out of touch with the majority of their own membe

today, even most democrats stay out of the nra's way. why pick a fight you're just going to lose?d that fight. in fact, if you calculate the number of new gun control policies he's advocated in his first term, you come up with one, and that is a negative one, by the way. under obama, there's been not one new piece of control legislation passed on the national level, but there has been an expansion of gun rights. as of 2010, your national parks are now armed. it is now legal to carry loaded weapons into yellowstone, yosemite, arcadia, and the grand tetons. the obama administration has overseen an expansion, not contraction of gun rights. even in the wake of the shooting in colorado that left 12 dead and dozens wounded, even then the president indicated no reassessment of gun laws was necessary. that is until yesterday. the president was in new orleans speaking to the national urban league when he said something in a normal world would be so rational, so mundane as to not warrant a mention, but in this not-normal world, it is shocking. >> hunting and shooting are part of a cherished

the nra does.t is not true. there are plenty fine with a ban on assault weapons. they don't want to lose the right to have the hunting rifle or weapon in the home to protect themselves. they can see how dangerous the weapons can be. >> should we be talking about banning violence in movies or any number of other things that could help alleviate the problem. >> the gun thing, i don't have a problem with there being a debate about guns in the wake of someone shooting a lot of people. the michael eric dyson thing was gegrerious. so much of the commentary in the press is misinformed or are unrealistic on the issue. the assault weapons ban when it is raised should be pointed out assault weapons are scare. >> looking semi automatic rifles of the sort that people do use to hunt deer. even if you reinstituted the same ban he could have gotten all of the same stuff because he could have bought it use. if you want to have the ban you have to confiscate every existing assault weapon which is never going to hap