| | | | Did Walmart just change the gun debate? |  | | It's easy to be cynical about the politics of guns in the age of mass shootings. From Columbine to Virginia Tech to Newtown to Parkland to El Paso and Dayton, the immediate outcry for more and better gun laws in the wake of mass shootings gives way to hard political realities -- particularly in the Senate -- that seem to be unchanged by these horrific crimes.
The gun debate in this country is, in a word, stagnant.
But what if something outside politics changed the way in which Congress -- especially Republicans in Congress, who have generally voted in lockstep with the National Rifle Association to oppose any further strictures on guns -- thinks about what can be done in terms of common-sense gun laws?
Something like, say, a decision by Walmart -- not exactly a liberal, urban hipster chain of stores -- that it will cease selling handguns and "short-barrel rifle" ammunition in its stores, and will urge its customers not to carry any guns while shopping at its stores. (The move came in reaction, at least in part, to 20 people being murdered at a Walmart in El Paso last month.)
And that wasn't even the most important part of the announcement. This was, from Walmart CEO Doug McMillon:
"We encourage our nation's leaders to move forward and strengthen background checks and to remove weapons from those who have been determined to pose an imminent danger. Congress and the administration should act. Given our decades of experience selling firearms, we are also offering to serve as a resource in the national debate on responsible gun sales."
That's quite a statement. McMillon is saying, in essence, that private industry is doing its part to address the epidemic of gun violence in the country and now it's time for elected leaders to step up and do the same. (Walmart follows Dick's Sporting Goods in announcing its decision to curtail gun and ammunition sales in some of its stores.)
And Walmart isn't just any chain of stories in America. It is a massive conglomerate with roots in many of the rural and suburban areas where President Donald Trump did well in 2016 and which are represented by Republicans in Congress. When Walmart speaks, these members of Congress, generally speaking, listen. And what Walmart has done with its move this week on guns and ammo is provide at least some cover from the NRA for congressional Republicans who want to do something about the state of gun laws in the country.
Asked about the move Wednesday, Trump said, "That's up to Walmart. Hey, they're very smart, they had a tremendous quarter, just announced tremendous numbers."
When asked about the ammunition and guns move, Trump said, "You'd have to talk to them," adding, "They can do what they have to do."
Is it possible that Walmart's move doesn't change minds within the Republican conference in Congress about what they can be for in terms of gun control measures? Sure! But we've not seen a move like this by a company as large or as well-regarded by the audiences -- politicians and otherwise -- who have been adamantly opposed to any sort of gun control legislation in the past.
The Point: Walmart is a free radical in this gun control experiment. It may fizzle. But it also could serve as a catalyst for some actual movement on an issue that has been stagnant for years now.
-- Chris | | "Oh, it's very difficult. It's a lot of work."
-- New York Mayor Bill de Blasio on running for president while also being mayor. The New York Post calculated de Blasio logged only seven hours at City Hall in May, when he announced his White House bid. | | | CNN is already in the process of hosting 10 Democratic presidential candidates over seven hours tonight to talk about the climate crisis. Many candidates unveiled policy proposals to address the threat posed by a warming planet ahead of tonight's forum.
Watch CNN now and follow coverage online at CNN.com. | | MIKE PENCE'S NOT-SO-EXCELLENT ADVENTURE | | The vice president's Euro trip (which included a new stop in Poland because President Trump decided to stay back in the US to monitor hurricane developments) has been anything but a smooth ride.
First there were issues with his long commute between meetings in Dublin and his lodging at his boss' hotel (and denials that Trump had demanded he stay there). Now Pence is headed to London to meet with the very embattled Prime Minister Boris Johnson. 🎧 Lauren has more on Mike Pence's anything-but-excellent adventure in today's Point podcast. | | This is what happens when you don't make the Democratic debate stage
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I loved "Car Talk" so so much | | | Chris loves Open Mike Eagle. So this new song already was on the playlist. But that it's named "Whiskey and Push-ups" just makes it that much better. | | Yet another Texas Republican has announced plans to leave Congress.
This time, it's Rep. Bill Flores, who won his first election in 2010 -- flipping the district situated between Dallas and Austin from blue to red and ousting a longtime incumbent Democrat. President Donald Trump won the district with 56% of the vote.
Flores will retire after serving his current term. He is the fifth House Republican from Texas to do so this cycle.
Another House Republican, this one from Wisconsin, will join the ranks of departing GOP members of Congress: Jim Sensenbrenner. He announced tonight he will not run for reelection after more than 40 years in the House.
Meanwhile in California, Democratic Rep. Susan Davis has also announced her plans to retire. She's the third Democrat to decide against running for reelection this year. | |
LAUREN'S CAMPAIGN TRAIL LATEST | | Joe Biden: Misrepresented his past position on the Iraq War in recent speeches and interviews defending his past foreign policy decisions.
Bill de Blasio: Said he would end his campaign if he fails to qualify for the fourth debate.
Steve Bullock: Released a new rural plan that includes a two-year freeze on agricultural mergers.
Marianne Williamson: Deleted a tweet suggesting the "power of the mind" can deter Hurricane Dorian.
Tulsi Gabbard: Said the gray streak in her hair serves as "remembrance" for fallen service members. | | | | | | |
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