Is Your Politician a "Lap Dog" For the NRA and its Corporate Cash? Do they do Tricks? Roll Over? All for Gun Lobby Treats?
Brady Campaign Partners with Writer, Director and Producer Adam McKay to Expose Politicians who have Taken Money from the Corporate Gun Lobby in new Parody Video, Website and Congressional Scorecard
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and Writer, Director and Producer Adam McKay today launched a video, website and scorecard exposing members of Congress for the campaign dollars they have taken from the corporate gun lobby, while blocking life-saving legislation that would keep guns out of the hands of criminals.
The www.lapdogscorecard.org website and video, which shows a "congressman" doing tricks for gun lobby dog treats, calls out all legislators regardless of their party based on two simple criteria: do they take money from the corporate gun lobby, and do they support expanding Brady background checks to online and gun show sales? More than one-half (53 percent) of the members of the 113th Congress are "Lap Dogs" who take money from the corporate gun lobby in exchange for blocking Brady background check legislation. Of the members of Congress who don't support expanding background checks to online and gun show sales, 95 percent of them have taken money from the corporate gun lobby (over $5 million since 1990).
The "Lap Dogs" include House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), who hasn't allowed a House vote on background checks, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), House Judiciary Chair, Rep. Robert Goodlatte (R-VA), and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), among many others.
"Sometimes comedy is the best way to call attention to a serious issue, and you do not find an issue more serious than this one. These 'Lap Dog' politicians are putting the financial interests of the gun industry ahead of the safety of the American people. Americans are literally dying as a result, and it is time for all of us to say enough," said Dan Gross, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
"Even worse, when we look at the money the corporate gun lobby has given directly to these politicians, it is shocking how little money it takes to turn them into 'lap dogs.' We are very fortunate to be working with Adam McKay, one of the great comedy geniuses of all time, to help give this deadly and serious issue the attention it deserves," added Gross.
Ninety percent of the American public support expanding background checks to online and gun show sales, which would prevent guns from falling into the hands of prohibited purchasers like felons, rapists and domestic abusers.
"If a lap dog could serve in Congress, they would do whatever the gun lobby wanted for a piece of bacon or a doggy treat. But lap dogs can't be elected to Congress so the gun lobby got these shameless congressmen to sit and roll over for campaign checks. They are good little doggies who don't give a hang about the safety of innocent Americans. It's time they were finally recognized for their blind obedience to the almighty dollar," said Adam McKay.
The video and congressional scorecard are featured on a special website, www.lapdogscorecard.org, which provides an interactive map so visitors can determine if their representatives and senators in Congress are "Lap Dogs."
The website also includes shareable social media content (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram), calling on Congress to expand Brady background checks. There will also be fun, downloadable "treats," like parody labels that people can print out and place on packages of dog food and dog treats and share photos through social media.
Looking at direct campaign contributions, three corporate gun lobby organizations - National Rifle Association (NRA), National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), and Gun Owners of America (GOA) – have given $5.3 million to candidates' committees since 1990, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
The mission of the Brady organization is to create a safer America that will lead to a dramatic reduction in gun deaths and injuries. For more insight on gun violence prevention, follow us on Facebook at the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and Twitter @BradyBuzz.
Paid for by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and not authorized by any candidates or candidates' committee. Contact us at: (202) 370-8100, 840 First Street, NE, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20002, www.bradycampaign.org.
Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAzexZu7ToY
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/is-your-politician-a-lap-dog-for-the-nra-and-its-corporate-cash-do-they-do-tricks-roll-over-all-for-gun-lobby-treats-731112694.html
SOURCE Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
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