We've covered the unconstitutionality of H.R.8 -Â Bipartisan Background Checks Act and how it is another whack of the hammer and chisels away the foundation that is our freedom along with how some of the vile scum in DC cheered for its passage.
This past election cycle, Giffords' Gun Control Group waged a hardcore campaign against a number of of elected officials across the country and two Florida lawmakers were in their cross hairs. Rep. Mario DÃaz-Balart (R) and Rep. Vern Buchanan (R); who for years campaigned on a pro 2nd Amendment stance and took funds and donations from gun owners and pro gun organizations like the NRA.
Here is just a sample of the attacks that Giffords threw at them.
Video Ad against Vern Buchanan.
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Radio Ad against Mario DÃaz-Balart.
"This year alone, there have been more deaths from school shootings than military service members killed abroad. Why? Because politicians aren’t courageous enough to stand up to the corporate gun lobby’s bullying and campaign cash.
Politicians like Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart.
Here are three facts that you should know about Diaz-Balart.
Number one: he’s taken thousands of dollars from the NRA. More money than any other Florida member of Congress. He even took their money AFTER the Parkland school shooting. After seventeen children and their| educators were gunned down.
Number two: Diaz-Balart gets an A rating from the NRA year after year. And number three: Diaz-Balart voted to weaken our gun laws, not strengthen them. Diaz-Balart even refuses to support common-sense solutions like requiring background checks on all gun sales.
Nothing’s going to get done with Diaz Balart in the NRA’s pocket voting against our safety."
Radio Ad can be listened to here.
It appears that Giffords' blistering ads against them have succeeded. They both voted in support of H.R.8 and proudly display it on their own congressional websites.
What is sad is that Rep. DÃaz-Balart back on February 16, 2018, after the Parkland shooting said that gun control legislation would not be effective at stopping mass shootings.
"Would gun control stop this? No," Diaz-Balart said. "I want to make sure we look at things that could make a difference."- Tampa Bay Times
In the case of Rep. Buchanan, he started to go anti-gun long before this bill came up to vote. Back in August of last year, the Republican Party of Florida released a scathing attack on his challenger. David Shapiro (D), who was endorsed and backed by Giffords' Gun Control Group. This attack ad was scathing because it was the RPoF outright pushing "common sense gun control".
It appears that Giffords' efforts were rewarded by flipping Rep. Buchanan and Rep. DÃaz-Balart. Florida's 16th Congressional District is represented by Rep. Buchanan and it has a 7 point Republican voter lead. In 2016, President Trump won that district with an 11% lead. It should have been a sure pro gun win. Yet we see that the Republican Party of Florida, in trying to secure a victory for Rep. Buchanan went Anti-Gun in their campaigning by promoting "common sense gun control".
With Rep. DÃaz-Balart, he represents Florida's 25th Congressional District. A area with a 4 point Republican Voter lead. Again, an area that should be safe for gun owners. President Trump won this district with a 2% lead but Rep. DÃaz-Balart crushed his challenger by a 20.8% lead, Mary Barzee Flores (D) (who now runs FL's CCW program). Giffords of course supported her too.
So what does this say for Florida Gun Owners? It appears that Giforrds' Gun Control Group was able to win even though those two ares should be secure seats. Why did the gun grabbing authoritarians win? My belief is that the Republican Party of Florida is starting to shift its stance on gun rights due to the growing demographic shift occurring in Florida's major urban areas.
