Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the advocacy group funded and founded by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, is struggling to stoke the kind of grass-roots passion for gun regulation that has made its arch-nemesis, the NRA, such a political force. Organizing For America, the post-electoral version of Obama's campaign machine, is seeking to translate the energy that twice propelled the president to victory into support for progressive causes.
Those twin goals will converge Saturday in Dallas when Mayors Against Illegal Guns and OFA join forces for an event titled "We Have Not Forgotten and Demand Action."
In other words, a gun control rally.
A press release describes it as a "community event to call on members of Congress to support gun violence prevention measures." As a for instance, they cite the bipartisan bill expanding background checks recently introduced in the U.S. Senate.
"With 92% of Americans already supporting commonsense measures like background checks for all gun sales, it's time Congress stands with those Americans instead of the gun lobby to support reforms that will save lives and protect our communities."
Of course, neither of these groups want gun control measures to stop at background checks. In January, Obama urged Congress, ineffectively it seems, to ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines. Bloomberg's group is behind those measures, with particular focus on the assault weapons ban. And we all know by know that the push for tougher gun regulations is really cover for the inevitable attempt to bust down Ted Nugent's door and confiscate his large collection of firearms.
The event Saturday is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Northaven United Methodist Church in North Dallas. If you go, you probably shouldn't expect any cameos by Bloomberg or Obama. These events are taking place across the country.
That still leaves the question of what one should bring to the rally. It doesn't take a Second Amendment zealot to decide what prop is appropriate for a pro-gun demonstration, but what about an anti-gun rally? Do they make anti-guns? Ant guns? That one you'll have to answer on your own.