The Gun Lobby’s Most Cynical Move Yet
New data show how pro-gun groups target their political spending after fatal school shootings.
TL;DR
- Pro-gun PACs dramatically increase political contributions to U.S. House candidates in districts affected by fatal school shootings, especially in competitive races and closer to elections.
- This spending surge occurs only after shootings where children are killed, not after other mass gun violence or non-fatal school shootings.
- The gun lobby's increased spending aims to fortify candidates against public pressure for gun reform, allowing them to reframe opposition as principled.
- While gun-safety PACs also increase spending, pro-gun groups were the dominant spenders until the 2018 Parkland shooting, after which gun-safety groups significantly boosted their contributions.
- Despite majority public support for stricter gun laws, pro-gun spending helps candidates resist constituent pressure and maintain opposition to reforms.
- Recent actions by the Trump administration and proposed cuts to the ATF budget suggest continued efforts to ease gun regulations and enforcement.