The Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund is actively recruiting faith leaders to push anti-gun politicians ahead of the 2020 elections.
The organization, largely bankrolled by failed presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg, announced this week its plan to “mobilize faith communities to elect gun sense candidates” in November.
“Individuals and organizations partnering with Everytown will work to activate their networks around gun safety in the 2020 election, including communicating with their networks around the importance of voting for gun sense candidates in 2020; hosting community conversations and events, and encouraging their networks to register to vote and pledge to vote for gun sense candidates,” said the organization in a press release.
The partners include key figures from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh backgrounds. And they will target the battleground states of AZ, CO, FL, GA, IA, MI, MN, NC, NH, NV, PA, TX, and WI.
“There are people who respond to the 100 lives lost to guns each day by saying that it is not a gun problem, it’s a heart problem,” said Shane Claiborne, president of Red Letter Christians. “I’m convinced it is both. God heals hearts, and people change laws. We need both of those to happen in America. That’s why I am honored to join this interfaith partnership to end gun violence.”
SEE ALSO: Florida Commissioner Sued for Closing CCW Online Application
“In Islam, similar to other faith traditions, God tells us all in the Qur’an that ‘if anyone kills a person…it is as if he kills all humankind, while if any saves a life it is as if he saves the lives of all humankind,’” said Colin Christopher, a Muslim faith activist.
“We are nearing a tipping point in public pressure demanding that our elected leaders reflect these values,” he continued. “Faith communities have always been at the center of demanding positive societal shifts, and we are excited to join other communities of faith to build power and demand these changes be made.”
This latest faith-based initiative is part of larger marshaling of resources by the organization this election cycle. In total, Everytown will drop at least $60 million in 2020 to elect its “gun sense” candidates.
By comparison, the National Rifle Association spent $100 million in 2016, the majority of which (roughly $30 million) was spent to help get Donald Trump into the White House.
Money matters in politics. The people who spend the most to get elected usually win. Just check out this helpful graph from the website FiveThirtyEight:
Now, that’s not to say that spending a lot of money is a surefire way to get elected. Money doesn’t always “cause” the win as the experts note. Heck, Bloomberg’s own bid for the Democratic nomination is a prime example. He spent $1 billion, according to reports, and has nothing to show for it.
But, at the same time, it’s hard to ignore the correlation, especially at a time when the NRA is tapped out financially as a result of lawsuits and other issues.
Looking ahead, it’s clear that Bloomberg is going to drop millions and millions of dollars this year to get his hand-picked candidates into office. Couple his incredible political largess with the grassroots initiatives Everytown is doing now with faith leaders and students (Students Demand Action) and mayors (Mayors Against Illegal Guns) and moms (Moms Demand Action) and the business community (think Dick’s and Levi’s) and Hollywood, and gun owners have a real reason to be concerned.
We say it every election cycle, and it rings true yet again, but this one is the most important of our lifetime.
“That’s why I am honored to join this interfaith partnership to end gun violence.” -Shane Claiborne
This moron should be ashamed to call himself a Christian. He is one of all too many useful idiots who blindly(?) support the Progressive-Socialist agenda. The moron ignores what history records happens to Christians when the Communists gain power.
The moron goes on to say:
“That’s why I am honored to join this interfaith partnership to end gun violence.”
Again, he ignores what history shows us regarding Islam, “The Religion of Peace.” Right now, as I write this, Christians in the ME and Africa are experiencing genocide at the hands of muslims. Yet, the moron wants to partner with this murderous cabal!
I’m calling you out, Shane Claiborne! (but don’t fear me, fear the Lord for your betrayal of his children)
He’s been bought and paid for, as you said, he will definitely have to answer to God for that
I’m still trying to figure out how 30 million is the majority of 100 million. I must have missed that common core lesson.
Yes, the socialists never let facts get in their way, and they usually just ignore the facts.
This also shows how religion is being politicized, and the socialists are violating the separation of church and state. Any so called church that allows itself to be politicized, no longer qualifies as a church.
No doubt that opens them up to all sorts of lawsuits…
Can’t help but notice that the anti gun people still focus exclusively on the NRA and NOT the other various pro gun lobby groups.
I can think of only to possibilities for this circumstance. Either the anti gun lobby groups, such as “everytown,” are NOT doing their ‘homework” although the graphs in the article suggest otherwise. The remaining possibility is that the NRA is still the most effective 2A lobby group and the opposition recognizes this fact.
It goes a little deeper than what you touched on, Kane. The NRA is the oldest and most influential gun-rights member organization in the U.S.. The Left, being total ideologues, presume that if they can destroy them, the other 2nd A. supporters will “die on the vine.”
Most people on the Right just don’t grasp how huge and circumspect the Left’s evil campaign really is.
They have implemented a strategy for their Progressive-Socialist(aka, Communist) agenda that is relentless and far-reaching. They have infected every tier of our society– education, government, corporations, entertainment… and do I even have to mention the Media?
is time come to take legal against bloomberg and members of every town for second amendment violations or do we have a march like in Virginia at there next rally hope not but it mite be the only chose thanks sperad the word jay
Will you please try that again? I didn’t understand a word you wrote.
Jay, dude! Look at what you think you are saying before you post, otherwise you are embarrassing yourself and dumbing us down….
At least finish second grade before spewing your intelligence level. Try again so we can understand what the hell your trying to say.
Legal action? For 2nd A. “violations?”
Like What, for instance? They have every right to express their opinions and pursue their goals. Same as we have every right to vigorously oppose them.
You sorely need some education. And on that subject, take a course in grammar & spelling.
Ok last time I checked there’s this part of the constitution that has a Separation of Church and State. That’s why churches and their leaders are not taxed. As part of that constitutional separation if a church or “faith leader” utilizes there pulpit to promote a political agenda (who to vote for, what laws to vote for) they loose that tax free status. So the second I hear ANY “faith leader” or church promoting any candidate (no matter the party) or laws I will be contacting the IRS with the fact they are doing so and send as much evidence of it. So when they start to get taxed out of existence perhaps they’ll remember that they can keep their religion (don’t care which one) out of my politics
I’ve sent this to the IRS already. They told me it will NOT be entertained much less investigated. The more evidence of this clear VIOLATION of the Constitution and the continuous hammering of the IRS with this violation. The more we (gun community) stick together we can get something done. Not on the subject, but informing everyone who comments on this site. We are being watched by the ATF that has agents assigned to reporting on what’s being said here and other pro gun websites. Instead of them being proactive in their jobs on the street physically going after criminals breaking our gun laws.
You and CM are two birds of a feather. Both ignorant; both wrong.
The relevant Constitutional issue is the no Establishment Clause and the sated “separation of church and state” can only be traced to a private letter written by Thomas Jefferson explaining the intention of the US Constitution. So, the words “separation of church and state” are NOT found anywhere in the US Constitution.
Wow. How long have you been a Progressive-Socialist? What you’re saying is Exactly what’s on their wish list.
No, any preacher has a right, nay, a duty to speak-out against, a political candidate(or party) that’s antithetical to the inherent values of their religion. And likewise, they should support those politicos who align with their core beliefs.
“Separation of Church & State” means that your govt. doesn’t operate as a theocracy, like in Iran. It’s funny I don’t hear you ranting about the Hollywood celebrities constantly mouthing-off with their political “wisdom.”
But, then again, they’re part of your camp.
Regardless of what the “Separation of Church and State” is or applies to, no church should become politicized, or bought off by any political group. Any involvement between any church and any political group raises serious questions about conflicts of interest and money changing hands. It would be best for any church to avoid that political cesspool altogether.
Even if a church simply speaks out for or against any political candidate, the first question is how much money was involved in that decision?