Democrats are growing increasingly concerned about Kamala Harris's slipping support, especially in critical swing states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, in the waning days of the campaign. You may have noticed that neither Harris nor Walz are talking much about "assault weapon" bans on the campaign trail lately, choosing instead to play up their professed support for the Second Amendment. If gun control comes up at all in their stump speeches, it's more likely to be a vague call for "expanding background checks" than banning semi-automatic rifles or declaring the firearms industry "the enemy", as Joe Biden did in 2020.
That will most definitely change if Harris and Walz win election next month, but for now gun control is out and feigned support for the right to keep and bear arms is in; not only for the candidates themselves but even among their allies in the gun control lobby.
The Hunters and Anglers for Harris-Walz coalition is launching to mobilize conservationists, rural Americans, and responsible gun owners. We proudly support Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, both gun owners who stand for gun safety. 🎉https://t.co/kctF0v2L9t
— Brady | United Against Gun Violence (@bradybuzz) October 18, 2024
Brady, you might recall, was called the National Council to Control Handguns when it was formed 50 years ago. In 1980 it changed its name to Handgun Control, Inc. and partnered with the National Coalition to Ban Handguns in an attempt to enact handgun bans at the local, state, and eventually, national level.
It's a sign of how much progress Second Amendment supporters have made over the decades that groups like Brady now try to pretend they ever advocated for a complete ban on handguns, and "proudly support" professed gun owners like Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. But while their stated goals may have shifted over the years, Brady only seems to be okay with gun ownership when it might help their favored candidates win election.
I guess gun ownership isn't as dangerous as you claimed https://t.co/YYq7BqGXQ3 pic.twitter.com/niKaPOP7uY
— Rob Romano (@2Aupdates) October 18, 2024
Which brings us to Hunters and Anglers for Harris-Walz. If you visit the astroturf group's website, you'll immediately notice a few oddities. Who's in charge of the group? There's no way to tell. What policies does the organization support? They don't say. There are only three links on the website; one to make a donation, one to shop at the Harris-Walz campaign store, and the last to "add your name in support". When you click on the third link, you're taken to a page where you're asked to give your name, phone number, and address as well as the opportunity to sign an "Open Letter from Hunters and Anglers for Harris-Walz" that doesn't mention the Second Amendment at all.
Friends -
As hunters, anglers, and stewards of America’s natural resources, we understand the deep connection between the land, the water, and our way of life. We know that preserving the beauty and bounty of our outdoors is essential not just for us, but for future generations of sportsmen and sportswomen.
Kamala Harris has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to conserving our landscapes, recognizing the critical role it plays in our nation's well-being. Her work to protect our public lands, combat climate change, and promote clean energy while balancing the needs for wildlife reflects her dedication to ensuring that the outdoor experiences we cherish remain accessible and sustainable for all Americans. As Vice President, Kamala Harris helped open an additional 2 million acres of public land for hunting and fishing.
Tim Walz, as a lifelong hunter, and angler, has spent more time in the field than anyone running on a presidential ticket since Teddy Roosevelt. In Congress, he was a dedicated member of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and remains a tireless advocate for conservation and the outdoor traditions we hold dear. His leadership in preserving hunting and fishing rights, promoting habitat conservation and restoration, and supporting responsible wildlife management underscores his commitment to our community.
Together, Harris and Walz offer a vision of America that honors our outdoor heritage while addressing the conservation challenges that will determine the future of hunting and angling in America. They understand that our lands and waters are not just resources to be used, but treasures to be protected and enjoyed by all.
Join us in supporting Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Let’s ensure that our outdoor traditions thrive for generations to come.
At the very bottom of the page, in tiny print, there's a brief note: This form was created inside of Forge Advisors DC.
Forge Advisors is a consulting firm located in the D.C. suburb of Reston, Virginia founded by Brittney Killen in 2017 that appears to have multiple contracts with government agencies, defense contractors, and some commercial clients as well, but no obvious connection to any hunting or outdoor organizations.
Hunters and Anglers for Harris-Walz appears to be nothing more than a way for Democrats to gather information from potential voters so they can spam them with get-out-the-vote messaging between now and Election Day. The complete lack of any details on the organization's leadership is suspect. Even previous astroturf attempts like the American Hunters and Shooters Association had a human face to go along with their effort to deflect attention away from Barack Obama's past support for semi-auto bans, gun rationing laws, and other anti-2A efforts. Hunters and Anglers for Harris-Walz apparently couldn't even find a token Democrat gun owner to serve as the front-facing head of the outfit, which is just downright embarrassing for them.
Even for an astroturf outfit this is pretty lazy work. I don't know how many voters will be suckered into providing their information to the Harris/Walz campaign via the website's open letter, but I'm confident that the vast majority of hunters, anglers, and gun owners will pay no mind to this pathetic attempt at outreach between now and election day.
