Democrats, activists see gun prohibition efforts bolstered for midterms

[DispositionMatrix]

Gun reform groups ramp up midterm efforts

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK -- A NEW WORLD ORDER? TAKING ON THE GUN LOBBY: GIFFORDS PAC is going to spend nearly $1.5 million on a TV and digital ad targeting vulnerable Colorado Republican Rep. Mike Coffman. Coffman has an “A” rating from the NRA and the group has contributed heavily to his reelection efforts. The ad titled “The NRA loves Mike Coffman” features a hypothetical text conversation between a child and their mother during a school lock down.

THE NEW AD comes as former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), herself a victim of gun violence, and other advocates for gun reform are making their most aggressive play to oust pro-gun lawmakers. Giffords PAC has also spent nearly $1 million to defeat Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock.

DEMOCRATIC POLITICO OPERATIVES tell us that they believe the midterms are going to be a turning point on gun control. THEIR REASONING: Students from the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida have ramped up their activism across the country in an effort to register young voters. And, the WSJ recently put out an analysis with Kantar Media/CMAG data that found there has been a 22 percent increase in ads promoting stricter gun regulations since four years ago.