Why exactly is the NRA so powerful?

No. It's an issue that is going to lose you voters.

Sewers aren't sexy. Guns are super sexy.

 

The Constitution can be amended. Why hasn't it been (as re: this issue)? Because not enough people want it to be. And that political fact is not because of the NRA; the NRA exists because of that political fact.

 

Granted, this country loves its guns and cars.

And people certainly should be able to own guns. But the NRA fans the flames beyond reason.

A suggestion that selling grenade launchers might not be a good idea goes straight to "Obama wants to take your guns away!"

 

Sewers are sexy when you have a pile of shit in your yard.

Campaign finance reform is just an abstract thing to many people, who probably don't even pay much attention to the whole political process.

 

Congrats, BS! You just made my signature line.

 

It hasn't been amended because a) our current and radically different understanding of the second amendment, post D.C. v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago, is still relatively new, b) amending the constitution is an intentionally and rightfully difficult process, and c) the NRA, which espouses a minority viewpoint on gun control, has out-sized influence on Congress and in state legislatures due to its extremely effective lobbying and public relations machines.

 

Only a few more states needed to call a constitutional convention. Just wait and see what's in store.

 

It would be fascinating to see what happens, if it does. Several of the states are attempting to limit the call to specific topics, but once that door gets opened it cannot be closed.

 

I get why both sides would be interested in a Constitutional Convention, but considering the idiots we have in charge right now, and the level of governmental dysfunction we've seen over the past 20-25 years, should this really be a road we go down?
I wouldn't trust most of these people to organize a one-car parade, let alone restructure the government of a major country. This truly is one of those things that sounds great in theory, but the results are almost certain to be horrific. For those on the left wanting to ditch the second amendment, for example, ask yourselves if you'd also be willing to alter the first and fourth amendments as those in power seek to gain even more power. And before you answer, remember that Democrats are not going to win every election for the rest of eternity.
On the right, you're almost certain to lose more than you gain out of the deal. The second amendment would be gone, presidential powers would probably increase exponentially -- or, to balance things out, governmental powers as a whole would increase -- and some other checks and balances would erode.
It's a bad idea all the way around.
I'm fine with the old Constitution. There's a lot of good things in there that have served us well, and will continue to serve us well for a long time if we stop mind-fucking ourselves into thinking they mean the opposite of what they actually mean. Let's work with that before we blow everything up.

 

The NRA may have its day now but it will be pretty well fucked once the NSFMA* gains some more traction and takes over by any means necessary.

(*--National Shoulder-Fired Missile Association)

 

Wouldn't it be awesome if buying a gun could get even easier?

Television Shopping Network for Guns to Launch Next Year | Rolling Stone

Castle, however, told the Palm Springs paper that she and Bornstein believed Gun TV would not exacerbate demand for guns, but cater to what she called America's "love affair with shooting sports."

 

I suspect nothing would come of a convention. Any/all changes would have to be ratified by 3/4ths of the states.