The Assault Weapons Ban May Be Bush's Undoing

TooGood Reports ^ | 13 November 2003 | Lee R Shelton IV

[45Auto]

George W. Bush and his neoconservative advisers have decided that their best strategy for the 2004 campaign is to focus on the "doctrine of preemption." The obvious goal is to portray the president as a hero in the war on terror, conveying the notion that he is the one who is able to keep America safe. Unfortunately for Bush, his position on the assault weapons ban may cause his reelection plans to unravel.

Many conservatives currently feel comfortable backing Bush for a second term. For one thing, he cut taxes, and the economy is on the rebound. He has shown courage by taking on global terrorism. He appointed as Attorney General a man who believes that the Second Amendment supports an individual's right to keep and bear arms. Bush is every conservative's dream, right? Think again.

During his 2000 campaign, candidate Bush voiced his support of the assault weapons ban that was passed during the Clinton administration. The federal law is scheduled to expire on Sept. 13, 2004, and Bush, speaking as president, has already stated that he supports its reauthorization.

Some have tried to excuse the president's position by arguing that he is merely telling people what they want to hear, stating publicly that the ban is a good thing while remaining confident that renewal of the ban will never even make it through the House of Representatives. That may offer some comfort to disgruntled conservatives, but it is important to remember that 38 Republicans voted for the ban in 1994 and 42 voted against its repeal in 1996. That doesn't bode well for freedom-loving Americans.

Don't be surprised in the coming months to see the Bush administration pushing for a renewal of the assault weapons ban by promoting it as an effective tool in our fight against terrorism. After all, such a ban would make it easier for law enforcement officers to break up terrorist organizations here in the United States. In 1993, for example, a raid on a Muslim commune in central Colorado turned up bombs, automatic weapons, ammunition and plans for terrorist attacks.

On Dec. 6, 2001, Attorney General John Ashcroft, testifying before Congress, revealed an al-Qaida training manual that had been discovered in Afghanistan. The manual, he claimed, told terrorists "how to use America's freedom as a weapon against us." The fear was that terrorists in the U.S. would exploit loopholes in our gun laws in an effort to arm themselves – and with radical groups like Muslims of America already purchasing guns, we can't be too careful.

Like most federal laws, the assault weapons ban was originally passed with the assumption that Americans are willing to sacrifice liberty for safety. This, of course, has been historically a safe assumption on the part of our elected officials in Washington. But Bush's position on the assault weapons ban may very well come back to haunt him when he seeks to reconnect with his conservative base in 2004.

The hypocrisy of the president has already been revealed. He spoke out in favor of the government's prerogative to trample on the Second Amendment – under the guise of "reasonable" gun legislation – at the same time he was sending troops armed with fully automatic weapons to Iraq. This may seem like a stupid question, but if soldiers are allowed to carry assault weapons in order to provide for the common defense, why can't that same right be extended to civilians who want nothing more than to defend their homes and families?

John Ashcroft once said during his confirmation hearing, "I don't believe the Second Amendment to be one that forbids any regulation of guns." Far be it from me to contradict the highest-ranking law enforcement officer in the country, but the Constitution forbids exactly that. The federal government is barred from passing any law that may infringe upon the right of Americans to keep and bear arms. Period. It can't be explained in simpler terms than that.

President Bush would be wise to reconsider his position on the assault weapons ban. If he isn't careful, he and other members of his administration may end up alienating the few true conservatives left in the Republican Party – and that would be a mistake this close to election time.

[Consort]

Don't worry, you won't. I was being rhetorical.

[Badray]

Just barely hanging onto life. Just one diehard still taking pot shots at the enemy. ;-)

[Badray]

Dealing with appeasers and sell outs keep me young.

[Consort]

You lost.....again.

[Badray]

Only in your delusional mind.

[The_Eaglet]

Thanks for the link. I especially enjoyed the Logical Responses to Gun Control Rhetoric page.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Preserving and protecting the Constitution requires protecting Leaders dispised by the Left not joining the Left in hysterical lying attacks upon him.

Where do you come up with the crap you claim I say? I have never ONCE defended ANY gun control laws. Merely stated the obvious: that electing RATS rather than Bush would be a disaster for any true conservative.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Your false claims of my statements are duly noted. Apparently you are unable to comprehend simple statements.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Not true. Care to show me any statement I have made of support for ANY gun control laws? You won't find even ONE.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Apparently you are unfamiliar with Chuck Schumer's writings among other things.

[justshutupandtakeit]

So you believe exaggerations and falsehoods makes your case stronger?

[RKBAbang]

Travis McGee wrote: "Is there a car sticker available like that RKBA you posted?"

There sure is. I've been selling these since 1999 on: http://RKBAbang.com/

I have a couple of other items available too.

--Eric
http://RKBAbang.com/


Where Guns Are Outlawed
Terrorists Need Only Boxcutters
RKBA!

-- http://RKBAbang.com/ --

[justshutupandtakeit]

Where do you come up with this stuff? Show me a post where I supported II, gun control OR welfarism? IN FACT, I am anti all three.

Courts have interpreted the 14 amendment as preventing removal of welfare etc. from illegals NOT ME. Stating this makes ME a supporter of such thinking to you?

[Travis McGee]

Thanks Eric!

[justshutupandtakeit]

If the RATmedia is able to destroy this President using those who should be his greatest supporters you can forget your flowery paens to freedom. Our children will see very little of it after a RATmedia victory in 2004.

And guns will just be something you see in the movies.

[justshutupandtakeit]

All that is sooo interesting however, I have supported NO gun control laws EVER. Why don't you go back through all the posts I have made here over the years and show me ONE where I support gun-grabbing or gun control laws.

Either that or apologize for lying about my positions. Just one will do.

[justshutupandtakeit]

After she dropped out of Crackpots Against Bush.

[justshutupandtakeit]

It is even claimed by some that the BoR never applied to the states at all until the 14th amendment was passed.

My understanding of the 2d was that no governmental entity had ANY power to infringe upon the RTKBA. That is not what has been under discussion by me here.

Apparently the reading challenged cannot quite grasp what I have been arguing which is really very simple. I will repeat it for all those thinking I have been saying gun control is good: Turning on Bush is the WORST possible tactic for gun fans and will produce the WORST possible result for them and for America.

Now do you get it or do I have to repeat it again and again?

[justshutupandtakeit]

I was a great admirer of Jefferson until I began to delve deeply into that era and study his life/beliefs in detail. The more I learn about him the more disappointed I have become. Sad.

I love M1s myself and when in fear of home invasions just kept a sawed off shotgun next to my bed. Fortunately I am not in need of such armament at present.

It is not surprising that ignorance is rampant. Look at the hostility I have generated from those erroneously believing (and not understanding what I have argued) I support gun control laws when nothing could be further from the truth.

[justshutupandtakeit]

For each of the lunatic fringe which storms off in a high dudgeon to sulk and whine Bush will gain 10 true patriots.