Daniel Defense guns shown with logo outfacing.

In this March 9, 2017, photo a row of AR-15 style rifles manufactured by Daniel Defense sit in a vault at the company's headquarters in Black Creek, Ga.

Credit: AP Photo/Lisa Marie Pane

The panel

John Bailey, @gearfocused, editor, The Rome News-Tribune

Kevin Riley, @ajceditor, editor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Riley Bunch, @ribunchreports, public policy and politics reporter, Georgia Public Broadcasting

Tammy Greer, assistant professor of political science, Clark Atlanta University

 

The breakdown

1. Marty Daniel, CEO of Daniel Defense, testified before Congress yesterday.

  • Daniel cited an "erosion of personal responsibility" as the cause of mass shootings, not gun manufacturers' business practices.

    • Daniel Defense produced the rifle used in the Uvalde shooting.
  • The House committee criticized marketing tactics used by gun manufacturers to reach young male audiences, evoking military imagery.

Riley Bunch explains more on the marketing strategy for some large manufacturers.

2. New polling from the AJC shows Georgians' reactions to state abortion legislation. 

  • The polls reports that 55% of Georgians polled did not want Roe v. Wade overturned and 42% said they'd vote for a candidate who supported abortion rights.
  • Democrats running on abortion rights are attempting to counter Republican messaging on inflation ahead of the midterms.
  • After Dobbs left abortion legislation up to the states, the ACLU filed a challenge to Georgia's abortion ban, alleging the law violates the state constitution.

Clark Atlanta University professor Tammy Greer noted that abortion and inflation may seem unrelated, but economic issues often motivate people seeking abortions.

3. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene still dominates Georgia's 14th District.

John Bailey explains the continued appeal for Greene.

4. Jon Ossoff leads a Senate subcommittee to investigate conditions in the U.S. Penitentiary Atlanta.

  • Witnesses testified about numerous issues, including inoperable elevators, mold, broken air conditioning, overflowing sewers, free flow of contraband and inmate suicides.
  • This hearing comes after Ossoff conducted a previous bipartisan investigation into unsafe conditions on military bases.

Kevin Riley explains why investigations into prison conditions are necessary.

Friday on Political Rewind: Jim Galloway returns for our Friday panel.

Tags: Georgia  Atlanta  Macon  Savannah  guns  ar-15  Abortion  Marjorie Taylor Greene  Jon Ossoff  Bill Nigut