The National Rifle Association might have been disappointed in yesterday’s meeting with Vice President Joe Biden’s gun control panel, but another gun rights group saw signs of common ground.
Richard Feldman, president of the Independent Firearm Owners Association, told CNN’s Soledad O’Brien on Friday that gun lobbyists and the administration have serious differences. Both sides appear to support increasing penalties for people who buy guns for people who can't legally buy them, and for increasing funding so that authorities can enforce existing laws.
"If you ask the question and focus on guns, you really miss the problem. If we ask the question, 'In whose hands are the guns,' then we find we're in a lot of agreement," Feldman, a former NRA lobbyist, said.
Feldman said his group also supports stronger background check requirements at gun shows, where the requirements for individuals are not the same as at regular gun stores.
Feldman and O'Brien did not address proposals for an assault weapons ban, something to which the gun lobby has generally opposed. He did say that there's "going to be disagreement on a couple of the key issues."
"That's why we have a Congress, and this issue isn't coming to an end next Tuesday (when Biden announces his recommendations to President Obama)," Feldman said. "There's going to be hearings on the hill, and this is going to be a big fight."
Opinion: Three areas where Biden, NRA can find common ground
So, on TV this morning I hear that the NRA is saying there will be NO ban on assault rifles!? Sounds to me like they have already PAID OFF our "elected children" on how to vote!
It "wasn't all bad" because it is still business as usual inside the beltway. Status quo wins again and the poor get the shaft.