Posted on 02/02/2004 12:12:53 PM PST by m1-lightning
Four years after adopting a platform demanding a government crackdown on guns, Democratic presidential candidates this year are back peddling from a decade of party support for federal regulation of firearms.
John Kerry, frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, repeatedly notes in his speeches that he is a hunter, and Wesley Clark says that he has "20-some odd guns in the house." Howard Dean suggests gun laws should be left to states to decide, and Joseph Lieberman has repudiated a 2000 campaign pledge by his running mate Al Gore to license anyone buying a gun.
These views represent a shift in views in the Democratic Party, which over the last decade has pushed tough gun control proposals in Congress. The party's 2000 platform backed mandatory child safety locks for all guns and background checks for all purchases; mandatory gun safety courses for gun-purchasers; and funding for 10,000 prosecutors in states and communities "to fight gun crime."
CANDIDATE POSITIONS:
George Bush promised in the 2000 elections he would not push for any new gun legislation - and he hasn't.
John Kerry has voted for background checks at gun shows and wants gun companies to make "smart guns" with computer chips that prevent their use by unauthorized people. "I believe it is important for us to have somebody who is going to stand up for gun safety in America and make certain that we make our streets safe, our children safe, and not allow people to get assault weapons in America."
Howard Dean says populous states like New Jersey and California that want tougher gun laws should adopt them, but leave rural states like Montana and Vermont to follow their own policies. Vermont has few gun restrictions other than those imposed by federal law. Dean said he supports existing federal laws. "Hunters don't need AK-47s to shoot deer," he said.
John Edwards, who grew up in the rural South, says he wants to close the gun show loophole and favors trigger locks to prevent children from using guns. Edwards says he understands how the issue strikes a discordant theme in rural areas. "Guns are about independence. They don't want people messing with that," he says.
Wesley Clark says he likes to hunt and is familiar with guns. "I have grown up with guns all my life, but people who like assault weapons should join the United States Army - we have them." He supports background checks for all gun purchases and backs a ban on assault weapons.
Joseph Lieberman opposes licensing for gun owners, although that was part of the program Al Gore endorsed in the 2000 presidential election, when Lieberman was the vice presidential nominee. "Licensing, registration, in my opinion, are bad ideas" and violations of the basic rights of Americans to own guns, he says. As a senator, Lieberman represents Connecticut where many gun manufacturers are located.
Al Sharpton, once a stabbing victim, supports tough gun control to curb crime. "We must do whatever we can to regulate how guns have been used."
Dennis Kucinich supports instant background checks for anyone buying a gun.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesrecordnews.com ...
I'm guessing that if the authors journalism career doesn't work out, he can fall back on gay porn.
Clark wary of concealed guns 11:21 PM 1/19/04 Scott Milfred State government reporter
National Right to Life - 0%
Planned Parenthood - 100%
Christian Coalition - 0%
Citizens Against Government Waste - 5%
Eagle Forum (Phyllis Schafley) - 0%
Family Research Council (Dr Dobson) - 0%
Gun Owners of America - grade of F
National Rifle Association - grade of F
Voting Record
Well guess what Mr. Disco General... We Have Them Too. I bet there are more of them in private hands than in the military. There are more and more such self defense tools being bought by the private sector every day.
And this is exactly what the Founding Fathers knew would be "necessary to the security of a free State."
And it's gonna stay that way.
Molon Labe!
Even private sales = ALL private sales
These views represent a shift in views in the Democratic Party
Yeah, sure. We believe that. They've had a change of heart. I'm sure. Send for their free investor's packet...
Don't bet the farm on being able to convince us dumb, benighted rednecks out here of your newfound "Change of Heart", Demonrats...
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