Choosing politics over policy, the Obama administration ignored a willingness by the gun lobby to help in the fight against illegal guns and gun violence following the 2012 Newtown, Conn., school shooting, likely missing any chance of a historic deal, according to a new book about the nation’s war over the weapons.

In “ The Future of the Gun,” New York Times bestselling author Frank Miniter reveals that two of the country’s leading gun lobbies stood ready to work with the White House, but instead were pushed away by an administration that wrongly thought the country was on their side in banning assault weapons.

“If the Obama administration really wants to do something about illegal guns or gun violence, then they’d work with gun manufacturers, the NRA, and the rest of gun-rights groups,” said Larry Keane, with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a leading spokesman for the industry.

He cited several areas the two sides agree on but noted that the gun lobby wasn’t invited to White House meetings on the issue. “I wish,” he said of joining the sessions with top Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett. “There’s a lot we could help them with. But they’re not interested in our input.”

Keane told Miniter, “ President Obama isn’t interested in working with us. That, in his view, would legitimize us. He, unfortunately, is only interested in scoring political points. He’s in a perpetual campaign. That is unfortunate for the American people.”

Former National Rifle Association President David Keene agreed: “The Obama administration is treating the gun issue like it’s a political race. They want to separate the NRA and treat the NRA like they do a political opponent during a campaign. The trouble for them is this isn’t a new issue. People already have an educated opinion with regards to gun rights and so don’t fall for this ruse. I’m not sure President Obama really grasps this.”

The Regnery Publishing book, provided in advance to Secrets, debuts next week. It features details on new technologies that could limit gun violence.

It also notes how the country has embraced guns despite the media’s endorsement of anti-gun rhetoric. For example, the book cites a Congressional Research Service report about gun ownership in America: “Per capita, the civilian gun stock has roughly doubled since 1968, from one gun per every two persons to one gun per person.”

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner's "Washington Secrets" columnist, can be contacted at pbedard@washingtonexaminer.com.