A union shop is trying to paint NRA as being anti-union on some pretty flimsy evidence. Their argument essentially goes like this: John McCain votes against unions, and NRA supported John McCain. NRA endorses politicians. National Right to Work Committee endorses politicians. NRA often endorse the same candidates as NRTWC, therefore NRA must be anti-union:
McCain is the NRA-endorsed candidate for president. He supported a national right to work law, which the fiercely anti-union National Right to Work Committee has wanted for years.
The NRA is cozy with the NRTWC, which also pushes hard for state right to work laws.
The NRA claims it is pro-gun rights, not anti-union. Yet the NRA and NRTWC often back the same candidates. Almost always, those candidates are anti-union like McCain.
Union leaders have generally resented the influence of the NRA over union rank-and-file. As someone who lives in a pretty heavily unionized area, I can tell you that influence is real. I can also tell you there are plenty of union member gun owners who will vote against their Second Amendment rights, and work to keep pro-union, anti-gun Democrats in office. But I’ve never met one of those who felt like it was an easy choice for them.
The great irony is, I’ve never heard of NRA being all that cozy with NRTWC. In fact, because a lot of other right-of-center groups in DC don’t really appreciate how NRA throws its weight around (and usually gets its way), my impression has been that their disposition toward NRA is a bit more hate than love. Maybe instead of smearing the NRA with flimsy accusations, the unions ought to put pressure on the Democratic Party leaders, particularly urban areas, to drop the gun control shtick.
Hat tip to our friends at CSGV, who never met a smear about NRA they wouldn’t repeat, no matter how untrue or ridiculous.
UPDATE: Looks like it’s an old article. A reader pointed out the date on the comments. I figured it might be recent given McCain opening his mouth about his “perfect” record.
