#Giffords PAC

[generallemarc]

We have his name from the FBI

Thomas Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. 20 years old. Registered as a Republican voter, but gave $15 to a progressive PAC on the day Biden was sworn into office. While I'm reporting factoids, Trump will be spending the night in his private New Jersey golf club, which was almost certainly a decision made with heavy input from the Secret Service, as a private club is gonna be way harder to get into and way easier to secure than just a regular house, or a building in any city. Biden was in Delaware when it happened, and has returned to the White House, which was also almost certainly at the behest of the Secret Service. The President has announced a pause to all campaign ads and messages to supporters, and it's worth noting that he legally cannot even do so much as suggest that the various PACs and campaign groups supporting him do the same, as that would be a violation of campaign laws, since they cannot be formally connected to his campaign in any way, even one like this.

The NYC police are surging security even though Trump won't be in the city as a precaution, both in general across the city and at Trump Tower and 40 Wall Street(the Trump Building). Secretary Mayorkas has said that the DHS and Secret Service will be working to bolster security for both the Trump and Biden campaigns. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has stated that he and his staff are in contact with security coordinators for the Republican National Convention, which is still set to begin on Monday in Milwaukee.

Of particular note among the flood of condolences is that of the most recent(prior to today) victim of an attempted political assassination, former Representative Gabrielle Giffords. Representative Nancy Pelosi's message also made reference to her family's unfortunate encounter with this savagery, as her husband's assault in 2022 was politically motivated according to the assailant.

One of Trump's campaign advisors, a man named Chris LaCivita, decided that the most appropriate thing to do was to tweet

well of course they tried too keep him off the ballot , they tried to put him in jail and now you see this

which absolutely doesn't imply that this is the fault of Biden and his campaign, nor does it have any potential to stoke conspiracy that they ordered it directly. It has since been deleted, which will hopefully be what I say tomorrow about Mr. LaCivita's position in the Trump campaign.

I have not found any updates on the two audience members who were taken to the hospital; the last report on them from APNews described them having been taken to a local hospital in "critical condition" at 11:19pm central time. There is as yet no information on any motive for the shooter.

EDIT: To clarify, it was the last report that was at 11:19pm. The audience members were taken to the hospital immediately, with the first reports on that from AP being at around 7-7:30pm central time.

[southjerseyweb]

GIFFORDS PAC Endorses Sue Altman in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District

GIFFORDS PAC Endorses Sue Altman in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District. Lambertville, NJ — Today, GIFFORDS PAC announced its endorsement of …

[gettothestabbing]

FEC documents show the NRA PAC brought in $50,902.20 from itemized donors before Beto's comments on September 12—about $4,627 per day. After them, the group brought in $276,208.20—about $15,344 per day. That represents a threefold increase in daily giving to the gun-rights group.

While the NRA's contributions have increased steadily over the past few months, some gun-control PACs saw a significant decrease in their fundraising.

The Giffords PAC, which works to elect gun-control proponents, reported just $11,000 in contributions in September, a major drop from the $195,000 it reported in August. Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund, an independent-expenditures only PAC, does not have to submit its next report until the end of the year. However, its mid-year report showed that the committee was given just $5,000, which was transferred from the group's action fund. The Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, Inc. PAC has taken in just $18,000 this year from six donors and currently has less than $90,000 cash on hand.

Everytown, however, operates primarily through nonprofits. The PAC is a smaller component of their overall operations but requires much more frequent reporting of its fundraising figures.

The more than $10 million in the bank the NRA PAC ended September with is more than three times that of Beto O'Rourke, and even outpaces Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden.

[placeswordsdreams]

Pacific Crest Trail, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington

[action]

Wondering what you can do to help end gun violence in America?

Text "Universal" to 34131 to connect call Congress and demand universal background checks.

Donate to Gifffords PAC

Sign up to volunteer via Giffords Action Network

[bearterritory]

Bears Put Away Washington, 2-1

Cal Wins Third In A Row

BERKELEY - The Cal women's soccer team polished off an impressive week, defeating Washington 2-1 at Edwards Stadium to make it a clean sweep of the Washington schools and extend its win streak to three in a row.  The Golden Bears had previously beaten Washington State 2-1 earlier in the week. Hannah Cooper scored her first career goal and Keely Roy added her eighth of the season for the Bears (8-3-3, 3-2 Pac-12), who also got a strong game from goalie Angelina Anderson. Cal fell behind 1-0 in the 25th minute but got the equalizer just under four minutes before halftime. Sophomore Ari Manrique one-timed a spectacular ball up field to a streaking Alexis Wright, who returned the ball to a sprinting Manrique to trail the play. Manrique then set up Cooper, who spun a shot just inside the right corner of the goal.

Cal almost took the lead just over a minute into the second half when Ayo Oke connected with Lema in stride racing toward the Washington goal. Unfortunately Lema's shot was tipped away to keep the score tied at 1-1. But the Golden Bears finally did take the lead in the 58th minute when Kailee Gifford set up Karlie Lema with a long pass toward the Washington goal. Lema beat her defender and touched a soft pass back to a trailing Roy, who converted for the game-winner.  Roy is now fifth in the Pac-12 in goals scored. Anderson made a couple of high-quality saves, including a diving stop in the 51st minute against a high-percentage shot from Washington's McKenzie Weinert to keep the score tied at 1-1. Anderson also got a huge assist from defender Sydney Collins in the 74th minute when she came racing out to try to break up a scoring chance, and the ball squirted through to Weinert. Collins ended up heading away Weinert's shot in front of the goal to help preserve the Bears' 2-1 advantage.

With the sweep, Cal climbed three spots to sole possession of 4th place in the Pac-12 standings, with Washington (8-3-2, 2-3 Pac-12) falling to 6th in the conference.  

[robertreich]

6 Crucial Races That Will Flip the Senate

This November, we have an opportunity to harness your energy and momentum into political power and not just defeat Trump, but also flip the Senate. Here are six key races you should be paying attention to. 1. The first is North Carolina Republican senator Thom Tillis, notable for his “olympic gold” flip-flops. He voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, then offered a loophole-filled replacement that excluded many with preexisting conditions. In 2014 Tillis took the position that climate change was “not a fact” and later urged Trump to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, before begrudgingly acknowledging the realities of climate change in 2018. And in 2019, although briefly opposing Trump’s emergency border wall declaration, he almost immediately caved to pressure. But Tillis’ real legacy is the restrictive 2013 voter suppression law he helped pass as Speaker of the North Carolina House. The federal judge who struck down the egregious law said its provisions “targeted African Americans with almost surgical precision.” Enter Democrat Cal Cunningham, who unlike his opponent, is taking no money from corporate PACs. Cunningham is a veteran who supports overturning the Supreme Court’s disastrous Citizens United decision, restoring the Voting Rights Act, and advancing other policies that would expand access to the ballot box. 2. Maine Senator Susan Collins, a self-proclaimed moderate whose unpopularity has made her especially vulnerable, once said that Trump was unworthy of the presidency. Unfortunately, she spent the last four years enabling his worst behavior. Collins voted to confirm Trump’s judges, including Brett Kavanaugh, and voted to acquit Trump in the impeachment trial, saying he had “learned his lesson�� through the process alone. Rubbish. Collins’ opponent is Sara Gideon, speaker of the House in Maine. As Speaker, Gideon pushed Maine to adopt ambitious climate legislation, anti-poverty initiatives, and ranked choice voting. And unlike Collins, Gideon supports comprehensive democracy reforms to ensure politicians are accountable to the people, not billionaire donors. Another Collins term would be six more years of cowardly appeasement, no matter the cost to our democracy. 3. Down in South Carolina, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is also vulnerable. Graham once said he’d “rather lose without Donald Trump than try to win with him.” But after refusing to vote for him in 2016, Graham spent the last four years becoming one of Trump’s most reliable enablers. Graham also introduced legislation to end birthright citizenship, lobbied for heavy restrictions on reproductive rights, and vigorously defended Brett Kavanaugh. Earlier this year, he said that pandemic relief benefits would only be renewed over his dead body. His opponent, Democrat Jaime Harrison, has brought the race into a dead heat with his bold vision for a “New South.” Harrison’s platform centers on expanding access to healthcare, enacting paid family and sick leave, and investing in climate resistant infrastructure. Graham once said that if the Republicans nominated Trump the party would “get destroyed,” and “deserve it.” We should heed his words, and help Jaime Harrison replace him in the Senate. 4. Let’s turn to Montana’s Senate race. The incumbent, Republican Steve Daines, has defended Trump’s racist tweets, thanked him for tear-gassing peaceful protestors, and parroted his push to reopen the country during the pandemic as early as May. Daine’s challenger is former Democratic Governor Steve Bullock. Bullock is proof that Democratic policies can actually gain support in supposedly red states because they benefit people, not the wealthy and corporations. During his two terms, he oversaw the expansion of Medicaid, prevented the passage of union-busting laws, and vetoed two extreme bills that restricted access to abortions.The choice here, once again, is a no-brainer.

5. In Iowa, like Montana, is a state full of surprises. After the state voted for Obama twice, Republican Joni Ernst won her Senate seat in 2014. Her win was a boon for her corporate backers, but has been a disaster for everyone else.

Ernst, a staunch Trump ally, holds a slew of fringe opinions. She pushed anti-abortion laws that would have outlawed most contraception, shared her belief that states can nullify federal laws, and has hinted that she wants to privatize or fundamentally alter social security “behind closed doors.” Her opponent, Democrat Theresa Greenfield, is a firm supporter of a strong social safety net because she knows its importance firsthand. Union and Social Security survivor benefits helped her rebuild her life after the tragic death of her spouse. With the crippling impact of coronavirus at the forefront of Americans’ minds, Greenfield would be a much needed advocate in the Senate. 6. In Arizona, incumbent Senate Republican Martha McSally is facing Democrat Mark Kelly. Two months after being defeated by Democrat Kyrsten SINema for Arizona’s other Senate seat, McSally was appointed to fill John McCain’s seat following his death. Since then, she’s used that seat to praise Trump and confirm industry lobbyists to agencies like the EPA, and keep cities from receiving additional funds to fight COVID-19. As she voted to block coronavirus relief funds, McSally even had the audacity to ask supporters to “fast a meal” to help support her campaign. Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and husband of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, became a gun-control activist following the attempt on her life in 2011. His support of universal background checks and crucial policies on the climate crisis, reproductive health, and wealth inequality make him the clear choice. These are just a few of the important Senate races happening this year. In addition, the entire House of Representatives will be on the ballot, along with 86 state legislative chambers and thousands of local seats.

Winning the White House is absolutely crucial, but it’s just one piece of the fight to save our democracy and push a people’s agenda. Securing victories in state legislatures is essential to stopping the GOP’s plans to entrench minority rule through gerrymandered congressional districts and restrictive voting laws — and it’s often state-level policies that have the biggest impact on our everyday lives. Even small changes to the makeup of a body like the Texas Board of Education, which determines textbook content for much of the country, will make a huge difference. Plus, every school board member, state representative, and congressperson you elect can be pushed to enact policies that benefit the people, not just corporate donors. This is how you build a movement that lasts.

[antidrumpfs]

Join the petition and support common sense legislation with numbers too large to ignore...

Gabrielle Giffords is an American politician and gun control advocate who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives representing Arizona's 8th congressional district from January 2007 until January 2012, when she resigned due to a severe brain injury suffered during an assassination attempt.  

With a gun safety President and Democratic control of both chambers in 2021, we finally have the opportunity to take action and pass universal background checks into law.

Will you demand action today by adding your name and letting the Senate know that we need universal background checks now?

The Republicon version of “Background checks.”

Republicon politicians refuse to vote for common sense legislation over and over because they know they can count on right wing media to misinform and lie to republican voters. Even if the majority of gun owners and NRA members want stricter background checks they can refuse to vote for it and not be held accountable by voters.

[batboyblog]

Fight For The Senate

So I woke up to the bad news that Republican Senator Lindsey Graham as set October 22nd as the day for a vote in the Judiciary Committee on moving forward on Judge Amy Coney Barrett. After a Committee vote there’s a vote of the full Senate, and if Republicans have the votes she becomes a Supreme Court Justice. I don’t know how it’ll turn out right now it’s not looking great, but we’ll see. However! if you want any hope of the Democrats being able to fill any federal Judgeships, name their own Justices to the Supreme Court or passing any bills at all, we have to ditch Mitch McConnell and give the Democrats a majority in the US Senate. How can you help? Well of course you should vote, and make sure everyone you can influence also votes! But also give what money you can, buy merchandise, etc to the Senate Candidates below, this is the close of the campaign and they need cash. If you don’t have money, or if you do, sign up to phone bank or text bank every candidate has a place on their website for you to do that. 

Alabama

Doug Jones is a pro-choice Democratic Senator from Alabama which makes him like a freaking unicorn. Jones beat Roy Moore the Republican who used to creep on middle school girls in a 2017 special election. Jones is also the US attorney who brought KKK terrorists to justice for the 1960s bombing of a church that left 3 little black girls dead. The Republicans have put up a know nothing football couch who’s only qualification for office is that he loves Trump

Donate.       Volunteer 

Alaska

Dr. Al Gross is an Independent running to unseat Republican Dan Sullivan. Sullivan is all in with Trump proudly running on Trump’s endorsement. Sullivan also does not believe in climate change in one of America’s most at risk states. Gross is endorsed by the Democratic Party, believes in climate change and taking action against it. 

Donate.   Volunteer 

Arizona

After losing her 2018 election for Senate Martha McSally got herself appointed to fill John McCain’s old seat. Running to unseat this unelected and unwanted Trump supporting Senator is former astronaut Mark Kelly. Mark is the husband to former Congresswoman and gun reformer Gabby Giffords. Kelly and Giffords have been on the front lines of gun control since 2013. 

Donate.  Volunteer 

Colorado

Senator Cory Gardner has been with Trump all the way, even backing his attacks on vote by mail a system used statewide in CO. Former Governor John Hickenlooper, who passed vote by mail, is running to unseat him. Hickenlooper also oversaw legal weed coming to Colorado and he’s running to legalize it nation wide. 

Donate.  Volunteer

Georgia (Regular)

There are two Senate elections in Georgia, first against. David Perdue literally made money off of Covid. When Senators were privately briefed about the threat the coronavirus posed to America, Perdue helped downplay it, while selling off stocks in travel companies. He’s facing off against Jon Ossoff, Ossoff is a former aid to civil rights icon John Lewis. Ossoff is running a progressive people powered campaign in what was once a deep red state

Donate. Volunteer 

Georgia (Special)

The other Georgia election is against an unelected Republican appointee, Kelly Loeffler. Loeffler also dumped stock after being briefed on Covid all while downplaying the risks. She’s bet her political life on backing Trump 110%. Democrats have rallied behind Raphael Warnock. Warnock is a civil rights activist and has been endorsed by Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter, Stacey Abrams, Elizabeth Warren, John Lewis, and Kamala Harris. 

Donate.  Volunteer

Iowa

Republican Senator Joni Ernst is maybe best known for castrating pigs in a campaign aid. She’s been a good solider for Mitch McConnell and now Trump as well. Democrat Theresa Greenfield is running to unseat her. Unlike Ernst Greenfield isn't taking money from big money PACs or special interests and wants to fight to improve health care in the state, rather than take it away. 

Donate.  Volunteer 

Kansas

Dr. Barbara Bollier was a Republican who crossed over to become a Democrat because she supported trans youth in her state. Bollier is running to fill an open Senate seat running on health care and common sense. If elected she’d be the first woman doctor in the US Senate. She’s been endorsed by Democrats and Republicans in her state. 

Donate.  Volunteer 

Maine

Republican Senator Susan Collins has long held herself up as an independent and pro-choice voice for Maine. She let down generations of pro-choice Maine voters by voting to confirm a clearly anti-choice Justice accused of sexual assault. She also failed to be independent when she voted to acquit Trump at his impeachment. Speaker of the Maine House, Sara Gideon is running to replace her. Gideon would the the first person of color elected to federal office from Maine, and the Second Indian American Senator in US history. She is 100% pro-choice and is fighting for better health care for Maine.

Donate.  Volunteer. 

Michigan

Senator Gary Peters might be one of the most at risk Democrats up for re-election this year. He’s running against a slick Republican named John James, who is selling himself as a moderate black Republican, while in fact being all in with Trump. Peters isn’t flashy, and as an older white man some low information voters think he’s the Republican and James is the Democrat! But Peters is a progressive work horse who does his job well. He stood up and took a personal stand for reproductive rights a brave move in a close re-election. We need him in the Senate if we want that majority and good policy going forward. 

Donate. Volunteer 

Mississippi

Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith likes glorifying Mississippi’s confederate past, Democrat Mike Espy was the first black person elected to federal office since reconstruction. Espy was a Congressman from 1987 till 1993 when he became the first black Secretary of Agriculture. If elected Espy would be the first black Senator elected from Mississippi. 

Donate. Volunteer 

Montana

Republican Steve Daines left his daughter’s wedding to vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh. Popular Democratic two-term governor Steve Bullock is running to replace him. Bullock has reacted fast to Covid-19 putting in place one of the earliest mask mandates, and mail in voting. While neighboring red states have ignored health warnings Bullock has followed the lead of doctors. While governor Bullock has stood up for the right to choose, the rights of LGBT people, expanded Medicaid, and supported Net neutrality. 

Donate.  Volunteer

North Carolina

Republican Thom Tillis is on the Senate Judiciary Committee and is all in on confirming Amy Coney Barrett while Americans are currently voting for the next President. Democrat Cal Cunningham is running on improving health care for every day Americans while Tillis takes huge donations from the insurance lobby and wants to cut Obamacare. 

Donate. Volunteer 

South Carolina

And for the Senator who started this rant, Lindsey Graham. Graham has treated in his former best friend, John McCain, for Donald Trump. Graham is leading the change to ram Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination through the Senate. He’s up against Jaime Harrison. Harrison would the first black Democratic Senator from SC. While Graham rants and raves about Democrats like they’re violent criminals Harrison would restore sanity and honor to this Senate Seat. Harrison has been using his Senate campaign to run a campaign of service projects around South Carolina bring much needed aid to underserved communities before he’s even in office. 

Donate. Volunteer 

we only have a few weeks left in this election! Imagine how good you’ll feel waking up on November 4th knowing we’ve not only beaten Donald Trump, but we’ve taken a majority away from Mitch McConnell. With a Senate Majority we can appoint judges who will defend our rights, we can pass much needed bills on climate change, health care, voting rights, LGBT protections, gun control, and reproductive health. These bills have been passed by the House but Mitch McConnell won’t even allow a vote on them, we can change that. How good will it feel to elect doctors and scientists to the Senate to replace lobbyists and millionaires? We can help elect historic black candidates from the Deep South, a historic number of women, and flip red state seats, Alaska, Kansas, Mississippi, and South Carolina that no one imagined would be in play this year, dig deep, give what you can, give your time, everyone has one hour between now and November 3rd to make so phone calls, sent some texts  

[sbenveniste20ahsgov-blog]

Political Interest Groups and PACs

a. Americans for Responsible Solutions

b. This group has a liberal view on gun control/violence and wants more regulations on gun ownership and usage.

c. This group wants to pass federal regulations to enforce gun control with stronger background checks and stop gun violence. 

- They want a president who will listen to the people, not the NRA, in 2020

- They have helped pass more than 290 gun laws in 45 states and Washington DC

- They are partnered with Giffords Law Center to make a change in legislation

- They lobby throughout the country and work with lawmakers

- They have a way you can directly call a senator on their website to talk to them about gun control

d. This group wants the Senate to background checks, so the bill will go to the president. 

e. They are located in Washington DC. There are many ways to contact them, but I did not find any events they were having. 

f. They have a take action tab where they recommend you call a senator to advocate for gun control. 

g. This group is making real changes to gun laws to make the country safer.

a. California Chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

b. This group wants to prevent gun violence by passing legislation to do so. 

c. - They believe grassroots can work and can change legislation. 

    - They are open to anyone joining, no matter what party or where you are from. 

    - They are the oldest organization in gun violence prevention. 

    - They are fighting in legal cases that relate to gun violence and that they support.

    - They want legislation for all kinds of gun issues, not only one but six main issues.

d. There are five laws/bills on their website that they support that have to do with background checks, risk protection, firearm storage, and funding. 

e. They have a PO box located in Pleasant Hill. There are many different chapters, you can fill out a request to be in a chapter online and enter your zipcode so you will be matched with the chapter closest to you. 

f. I think getting involved in a chapter is volunteering. They also offer a connection to a California representative, so that you can directly call someone to advocate for gun control. 

g. They make it very easy to join a chapter and get involved

Compare: I think the Brady Campaign seems more organized and like they know what they are doing. They get straight to the pint, show you what laws they want to be passed, how you can help, what action they plan on taking. The Brady Campaign also seems more successful, they have been around for a long time and have already gotten things passed. Both of the websites seem to appeal to younger, liberal people. The Brady Campaign has more opportunities to get involved and take action. 

a. Every Town for Gun Safety Action Fund

b. The PAC wants to stop gun violence in America

c. total receipt- $18,879

total spent- $105,520

cash on hand- $89,433

d. Republicans- $9,500

Democrats- $73,500

e. They are individuals who are donors, this shows that they have affiliations with people who care about the issue and are wealthy. 

[ltheodoropoulos20ahsgov-blog]

Political Interest Groups, and PACs Assessment

1. Group: ACLU

a. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

b. ACLU believes police excessive force is disturbing given the disproportionate impact it has on people of color. They want to collaborate with police to practice transparency for race and prejudice. The group is looking to work with CLRP (a division of the ACLU) to improve training, polices, and practices to reduce the use of excessive force during criminal and law enforcement encounters. CLRP is striving towards reducing over-incarceration and over-incriminalization. Their job is not to persuade judges but to work with communities affected by police brutalities to achieve their goal or reducing these unnecessary and violent acts.

c. The fourth amendment is being sought to be more enforced, which includes prohibition of unauthorized searches and seizures of property/vehicles. 

d. ACLU is based in Manhattan, New York. There is an ACLU office in San Francisco, any upcoming meetings are on Thursday November 7th in SF.

e. There is an option to donate on the website, send messages, sign petitions, and attend meetings.

2. Group: ACLU of Northern California

a. American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California

b. The ACLU of NorCal advocates criminal justice system that enforces public safety and full human rights to the (potential) criminals being treated unfairly by law enforcement and police of the kind. They push the idea that all police are to treat the public fairly and evenly regardless of race, ethnicity, age, and gender. They challenge illegal police practices, such as traffic stops gone wrong and others of the kind.

c. Since this is the same organization, and one of the only that specializes on police brutality, they also institute the 4th Amendment and enforce the prohibition of illegal police activity and excessive force.

d. This group is a State centered of the national ACLU organization. This division is based in San Francisco. Upcoming meetings include Thursday Nov 7th, Nov 11th and 12th.

e. There is an option to donate on the website, send messages, sign petitions, and attend meetings.

3. Group: Gifford’s PAC

a. This PAC/SuperPAC is a funding the industry of gun control and anti-gun laws.

b. In total they have raised $17,055,843, and total spent comes to $17,965,201. The amount of cash they have on hand is $924,528.

c. 95% of this has been spent on Democrats, and 4% on Republicans

d. Some of their donors include: University of Arizona, Wright World Industries, The Hanley Foundation

[guncontrolpaf-blog]

This chart represents the amount the NRA spends on lobbying groups. An upward trend in the number of mass shootings has fueled a contentious debate about gun rights. And while liberals throw cash behind pro-gun control efforts through super PACs like Giffords PAC (formed by gun violence victim and former Rep. Gabby Giffords) and nonprofits like Everytown For Gun Safety (backed by Michael Bloomberg), groups like the National Rifle Association are still powerful in Washington. The NRA has been a strong voice for the rights of gun owners across the country, battling attempts to enact gun control legislation at every level of government.

[fsoto20ahsgov-blog]

Political Interest Groups and PACs assessment

To gain a more thorough and intuitive understanding of the many organizations that advocate for gun control as political interest groups, I spent my monday afternoon researching such companies, alongside the PACs they use to fund their individual ideological endeavors. Throughout my deep dive into Political Interest groups I witnessed many of the same perspectives and positions echoed within multiple groups, with strong support for solutions to gun violence including the expansion of background checks, the regulation of deadly modifications to firearms, and the ban of weapons meant for the battlefield. Not our schools, or communities. 

The First political interest group I examined was at a national level, with multiple chapters and smaller subsidiaries sprinkled among communities across the US, Americans for Responsible Solutions is a grassroots organization that is dedicated to encouraging elected officials to stand for solutions to prevent gun violence. This group is affiliated and holds the support from the democratic party, and hopes to promote the safety of all Americans through taking action in marches and protests, and backing gun control measures with its long reach into the DNC. Faithful to their morals, AFRS has joined forces with law centers across the states to launch an antigun group called “The Giffords.” The Giffords are led by former democratic congressman, Gabrielle Gifford-AZ, and believes that “We deserve a government that listens to it’s people, not the NRA.” Miss. Gifford continues to voice her views on the general safety and regulations of firearms, continually referencing the groups support for the requirement of background checks on all gun sales. Using funding gained from many events and gatherings organized by the Giffords, the AFRS uses their influence to financially support candidates who follow their same opinions. To this day the group still regularly donates to gubernatorial races and legislative elections. The group is headquartered in Arizona, and does not hold any of its own events alone, regularly teaming up with local anti-gun groups. 

At the state level, I decided to investigate one of the many chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. One of the largest names in the fight for the restrictions of firearms, the Brady Campaign organizes meet-ups with its many members, contributes to the funds of many Democratic candidates, and continually educates the public on the risks of the NRA, and the deregulation of deadly weapons. Over the years, the group has continued to support measures led mostly by the Democratic party, as well as referencing their agreement with the federal ban of military style weapons to civilians, AKA Assault weapons. The team at the Brady Campaign is “Laser-Focused on what needs to be done to change the system, change the laws, and change the culture of who can own and sell firearms in our country.” The group has layed out their expansive plan for such a drastic and radical changed, as they understand the only way the mass shootings stop is by restricting the tools killers use and preventing them from accessing such a tool in the first place. While the Brady Campaign hits the target for the average gun control advocacy group, it also provides insight into many of the smaller idiosyncrasies in the debate on firearm regulation. Including the prevention of armed cases of domestic violence, among the regulation of accessories that make guns deadlier, such as bump stocks. This particular chapter of the Brady Campaign is based in Southern California, but holds meetings in local town halls in counties from Chico to San Diego, all over the golden state. By joining as a member of the Brady Campaign, one can participate in protests and rallies in the fight for our safety, and is able to help prevent weapons of destruction from being in the wrong hands, or any at all.

The PAC I researched is affiliated with the former statewide political interest group: The Californian Chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Due to the PAC generally providing funding for candidates in the state of California, it does not hold considerable transactional wealth, and has only been used for smaller personal donations. This PAC hopes to help financially grow the foundation for gun control advocacy in congressional regions in Southern California, in races from 2010-2020. The total receipt of the PAC has never been put into effect, but the PAC holds over 6,800 dollars in cash on hand. There are no listed donors due to the minimal use of this PAC on a larger scale, as most of the capital comes from internal fundraising. This PAC has been used entirely to support democrats, as the DNC is the leading party against the grasps of the NRA in our democracy, as of 2019 this PAC has not been dissolved, but it hasn’t been used either.

[patriotlgeorgemartin]

Going to be a waste of $10,000,000

[bearterritory]

GOLDEN PERFECTION

Bears Streak Continues With 2-0 Win

BERKELEY -  The wins just keep coming. The Cal women's soccer team continued its perfect start to the 2019 season, topping UC Riverside, 2-0, on Friday afternoon at Edwards' stadium. The Golden Bears (8-0-0, 0-0-0 Pac-12) prevailed behind an own goal and the first collegiate goal from junior Emily Smith, who scored off a header in the 46th minute. With the shutout win, Cal improves to 8-0-0 on the year, tied for the second-best start to a season in program history and one of only six teams six teams in Division I women's soccer that remains perfect on the season. The victory over the Highlanders (2-5-0, 0-0-0 Big West) also marked the 150th victory at Cal for Bears' head coach Neil McGuire, who is in his 13th season in Berkeley and holds the program's all-time wins record. "First, let me credit [UC Riverside head coach Nat Gonzalez] and his team for a good game, and also to our players for coming into this season ready to go, both in terms of their fitness and their mentality," McGuire said after the match. "It's great to see another team win, and getting the chance to use a bunch of different players is always exciting. We hope to continue to do that as the season goes on."

Ranked No. 21 in the nation, the Bears controlled the tempo of the game early on, generating several dangerous opportunities in the opening stages of the match. Junior Emma Westin nearly put the Bears ahead in the 17th minute, but her strike rattled off the crossbar. However, Cal's pressure paid off soon thereafter, as the Bears got on the scoreboard first following an own-goal by the Highlanders. Redshirt sophomore Kailee Gifford corralled the ball after a cleared corner kick and found Mia Corbin on the wing. Cal's assist leader this season, Corbin played a dangerous cross into the six-yard box, which a Riverside defender cleared into her own net. Cal continued to press in the attack, outshooting the Highlanders 15-0 in the first half. Cal also held a 5-0 advantage in cornerkicks, but was unable to add another goal before the halftime whistle. Luca Deza had several promising strikes that just narrowly missed the mark and freshman Lily Arbabaraghi but a strike off the crossbar in the 43rd minute. But coming out of the locker room, Cal did not have to wait long to find the back of the net, as Smith added an insurance goal just 45 seconds into the second half. Sophomore Abena Aidoo drew a foul deep in Cal's attacking third in the opening seconds, setting up a free kick for Deza. The junior midfielder served a pinpoint ball into the area, which found Smith waiting on the backpost. She headed it down, beating Highlander goalkeeper Annie Bailey for the first goal of her collegiate career. A standout at centerback and the back-to-back Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, Smith picked up her first collegiate points earlier this season with a pair of assists. "It was really exciting because we need to pick up our energy, and get the tempo back where wanted it to put away the game," said Smith, who in addition to Friday's goal, leads a Bears' backline that boasts the best goals against average in the nation. "Overall, it was a great team effort. Everyone got a lot of minutes, and we came out with a shutout and the win. Our mindset this season has really just been to prepare for one game at a time, and take what we're doing in training and make that translate in games. We're trusting each other and communicating, and really just trying to go out there every match and take care of business." "Emily continues to be an exceptional leader on this team," added McGuire. "For her to get her first college goal today was very exciting." 

The Bears nearly added another goal in the 51st minute when freshman Natalie Hueston got in behind the Highlanders' backline, but Bailey came up with a brilliant one-on-one save to deny the Bears a third. Bailey finished the game with nine saves while Cal freshman Angelina Anderson – the reigning Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Week – made two saves as Cal recorded its seventh shutout of the season.  The Golden Bears have now outscored their opponents 18-1. Cal returns to action on Sunday, hosting Portland (2-2-2. 0-0-0 WCC) at 12 p.m. PT in its non-conference finale. The matchup against the Pilots will be broadcast live on Pac-12 Networks. For more information and updates on the team throughout the season, follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalWSoc), Instagram (@CalWSoc), and Facebook (Facebook.com/CalWSoc).