Bloomberg Aims to Be Gun-Control Counterweight to NRA – As independent Michael Bloomberg nears his final year as New York City mayor, the billionaire is laying the groundwork to become a one-man counterweight to one of the nation’s most powerful lobbies: the National Rifle Association. In recent days, Bloomberg has used his massive wealth to wade into five House races in five different states, on behalf of candidates on both sides of the aisle. The common thread: Bloomberg is either backing candidates how are supportive of gun control measures, or trying to oust those who aren’t, in his view.