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White House gun plan: An end run around the NRA

It’s an unusual strategy but one the Obama administration has used before: projecting strength on an issue by trying to create the perception that the White House is riding a wave of momentum from the American people. . .

Biden on Thursday told the NRA and five other gun-owner groups that they would be wise to join the White House effort to combat gun violence and avoid public wrath, said Feldman, a former lobbyist for gun manufacturers who now favors some middle ground, such as requiring background checks for weapons purchased at gun shows.

“He was really pushing us all to get with his program. He said that the public wants something done,” Feldman said. “His argument was all these other groups he’s met with, the Pentacostals and evangelicals and others, all of a sudden there is a different attitude. The implication is they are more amenable now with going along, and so should you.” . . .

The NRA issued a blistering statement condemning the meeting as evidence of the White House “agenda to attack the Second Amendment.” Feldman said he was the only gun group representative in the room to back universal background checks — and no one who participated supported new magazine or assault-weapons restrictions.