Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

billh58

(6,641 posts)
Fri Jul 14, 2017, 09:24 PM Jul 2017

From Russia with Love for the NRA

It all started with a Russian mobster. Now the gun lobby is buddy-buddy with Moscow and attacking anyone who dares question the Trump-Putin nexus.

- Snip -

The National Rifle Association’s relationship with Russia dates back to 2011, when conservative Nashville lawyer G. Kline Preston IV introduced then-NRA President (and former American Conservative Union chair) David Keene to
Alexander Torshin, a senator in Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party. Torshin was also known to have ties to the Federal Security Service (FSB), the Russian intelligence agency formerly known as the KGB. Preston is an expert on Russian law whose has a white porcelain bust of Putin in his office.

- Snip -

A few months later, in the fall of 2013, Keene traveled to Russia for a conference hosted by an organization called The Right to Bear Arms. “The former president of the legendary NRA” [Keene] spoke at the conference, and Torshin attended.

The head of The Right to Bear Arms is the enigmatic Russian national Maria Butina. At various times, Butina has portrayed herself as a Siberian furniture store owner, a “representative of the Russian Federation,” a graduate student in Washington, D.C., a journalist, and a liaison between the Trump transition team/administration and Russia. She enjoys a close relationship with Alexander Torshin.

https://medium.com/LaddEveritt/from-russia-with-love-for-the-nra-ffc69088fe41

Yet another Trump/Russia connection, only this time his arms merchant friends at the extreme right-wing NRA/ILA are also involved. In the mean time, 33,000 Americans die each year and another 75,000 are wounded as a result of the treacherous influence of the US right-wing gun lobby and the apologists who enable them.

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
From Russia with Love for the NRA (Original Post) billh58 Jul 2017 OP
This right here... sfwriter Jul 2017 #1
Great way to Zoonart Jul 2017 #2
Anyone surprised? I'm not. And if they have bots spreading this nonsense, they're definitely here. Squinch Jul 2017 #3
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Gun Control Reform Activism»From Russia with Love for...