Chris Christie announces gun reform plan for New Jersey

[pampango]

Christie Risks 2016 Prospects With Gun Reform Plan

Christie is seeking to expand gun sale background checks, require parental consent for minors to buy violent video games, ban purchases of the .50-caliber Barrett rifle, and make it easier for doctors and courts to commit mentally ill individuals to treatment against their will, among other reforms. The ambitious plan, which Christie released one week after receiving 50 recommendations from his anti-gun-violence task force, would further strengthen what the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence already considers to be the nation’s second-toughest state gun laws.

The move could complicate an oft-rumored Christie presidential run in 2016, however, by further straining his already fraught relationship with the GOP’s right-wing base. The New Jersey governor angered many party activists by effusively praising President Barack Obama’s proactive response to Superstorm Sandy in the final days of the 2012 presidential campaign, then furiously denouncing House Speaker John Boehner for delaying a vote on a Sandy relief package until after the 112th Congress had adjourned. As a result of these perceived betrayals, Christie did not receive an invitation to the Conservative Political Action Conference, which tends to serve as a high-profile test for Republican presidential contenders.

If Christie does indeed seek the presidency in 2016, he will likely be the only serious Republican contender with aggressive gun reform efforts on his record. This could be a major hurdle, considering many Republicans’ strong opposition to gun reform (one recent poll found that just 37 percent of Republicans favor strengthening gun laws, compared with 83 percent of Democrats and 55 percent of independents.)

On the other hand, by seeking to expand background checks, Christie is going on record as backing a policy that nearly 9 in 10 Americans support. So while Christie’s reform plan could hurt his position in the primaries, it could also have a huge payoff if he made it to the general election. Ultimately, Christie’s gun reform push crystallizes the choice that Republican voters will face when they choose their next presidential nominee: Would they rather remain ideologically pure by shifting further to the right, or have a real chance to reclaim the White House?

http://www.nationalmemo.com/christie-risks-2016-prospects-with-gun-reform-plan/

Good for New Jersey and interesting for republican presidential politics.

[graham4anything]

1. CC is going for the reelection for Gov. vote, which comes first. He won't be the nominee

He might be Jeb's choice for VP

[HockeyMom]

2. There is a major divide in this country

by region on the gun culture. It goes beyond party affiliation.

[etherealtruth]

7. I think you've hit the nail on the head! n/t

[Populist_Prole]

8. My 2 best friends who were Dems are now rabid republicans over this issue

Even before the Sandy Hook thing.

[Heather MC]

3. It's refreshing to see a politician actually working for his constituency

I consider it a Major Plus CPAC. didn't invite him.

Maybe he will Run as an independent

[brucefan]

4. Independent my ass

He's as right wing as they come.

[tabbycat31]

5. What makes you think he's an independent?

He's the most conservative governor New Jersey has had in ages.

[Heather MC]

9. I was merely responding to what I read about

Him not being "conservative enough" for Republicans

I don't care what he does

[tabbycat31]

10. he actually does have a tea party challenger this year

But those outside of NJ don't realize how conservative he is. The media is in love with the guy and portray him as this great moderate. When it comes to many issues, he's right there with other GOP governors (when it comes to labor, he's Scott Walker but the legislature is controlled by Democrats).

[Duckhunter935]

6. ban purchases of the .50-caliber Barrett rifle

Must be pretty popular in Jersey.

[geckosfeet]

11. Yep. He must have picked out one of the least sold rifles in the state to ban.

But Christy is living up to his image as a classic panderer. These proposals will do zero to actually help anyone except Christy. He is cynically placating the ignorant and uninformed.

But he will be able to beat his chest and grunt about gun control and the suckers will fall for it.

Also, what is an expanded (toughened) background check? How does that actually work Mr. Christy. Do you do it faster? More times? With greater determination? We would like to know.