The Democracy Alliance Joins Fight for Gun Control

The Democracy Alliance Joins Fight for Gun Control

Posted on May 23, 2014

http://www.nraila.org/news-issues/articles/2014/5/the-democracy-alliance-joins-fight-for-gun-control.aspx

Fresh off the recent news that anti-gun billionaire Michael Bloomberg plans to spend $50 million to help elect gun control-supporting candidates in November's national elections, a similar plan by the Democracy Alliance has been exposed by the Washington Free Beacon.

The Free Beacon reports, "A secretive dark money group backed by George Soros and other liberal mega-donors is looking to steer nearly $40 million to left-wing groups in 2014 to support high-profile political and policy efforts." Soros, who in 2005 was convicted of insider trading in France, has previously donated millions of dollars to MediaMatters and MoveOn.org, both of which support gun control, the International Action Network on Small Arms, which promotes gun control at the United Nations, and Ready For Hillary, in support of gun control advocate Hillary Clinton's possible campaign for the U.S. presidency in 2016.

Not all of the Democracy Alliance's 150-odd organizations support gun control; many are focused on other aspects of the "progressive agenda." However, several anti-gun organizations are within its fold, including the Brennan Center, the Center for American Progress, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (formerly, the National Coalition to Ban Handguns), Everytown (a/k/a, Michael Bloomberg's Mayors Against . . . Guns), MediaMatters, Organizing for Action (a/k/a, BarackObama.com), the Progressive Majority, and Third Way.

Between them, these anti-gun groups support requiring so-called "universal background checks" for gun sales and other transfers; banning general-purpose semi-automatic rifles that gun control supporters call "assault weapons;" banning ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds; oppose shall-issue Right-to-Carry and Stand Your Ground laws; support micro-stamping; oppose federal and state laws prohibiting frivolous lawsuits against the firearm industry; claim that the Second Amendment does not protect an individual right to keep and bear arms, especially outside the home; and further claim that the Supreme Court erred in recognizing an individual right under the Second Amendment in District of Columbia v. Heller (2008).

That so much money will be spent trying to elect anti-gun candidates this year shows that Second Amendment opponents think that their victory is within striking distance during President Obama's last two years in office. Our victory over gun control in the Senate last year, and the public's current resistance to more federal gun control notwithstanding, we are going to have to do everything we can to get as many gun owners and other Second Amendment supporters to the polls in November.

Democracy Alliance

George Soros was a member of the Democracy Alliance, a contributor for MoveOn.org, a supporter for the Center for American Progress, a benefactor for the Harlem Children's Zone, the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, is a co-chair, national finance council at Ready for Hillary, and the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations.

Note: Ted J. Trimpa is a director at the Democracy Alliance, a board member for ProgressNow, and a trustee at the Third Way.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.

Hillary Rodham Clinton is a principal for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, and a potential candidate for the 2016 Hillary Rodham Clinton presidential campaign.

Lewis B. Cullman was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, and is a trustee at the Third Way.

William M. Daley was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, the chief of staff for the Barack Obama administration, is a trustee at the Third Way, and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Peter B. Lewis was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, a contributor for MoveOn.org, a director at the Center for American Progress, a donor for Media Matters, the chairman for the Progressive Corporation, and a trustee at the Third Way.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Center for American Progress, Media Matters, the Harlem Children's Zone, the Robin Hood Foundation, the Aspen Institute (think tank), and the International Rescue Committee.

Michael R. Bloomberg was a benefactor for the Harlem Children's Zone, a donor at the Robin Hood Foundation, the New York (NY) mayor, is a co-chair for Mayors Against Illegal Guns, and the founder for Everytown for Gun Safety.

John S. Dyson was the deputy mayor for New York (NY), and is a trustee at the Third Way.

Reynold Levy was a trustee at the Third Way, an advisory board member for the Aspen Institute (think tank), and is an overseer at the International Rescue Committee.

James S. Crown is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank), and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Lester Crown is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and was a lifetime trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Michael K. Powell is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank), and Colin L. Powell’s son.

Colin L. Powell is Michael K. Powell’s father, and an overseer at the International Rescue Committee.