''This is Washington's problem,'' said Mr. Timoney, referring to the federal ban on the sale of assault weapons, such as the AK-47, that Congress let lapse in 2007. Cowed by the NRA, Democrats and Republicans alike caved to the group's political strong-arming by failing to muster the votes to uphold the sensible, life-saving ban.

It's worth noting that the NRA is strong because it represents a large number of citizens that will absolutely VOTE YOU OUT for coming down wrong on this one issue.