Marchers Demand Bush Extend Assault Weapons Ban

Reuters ^ | May 9, 2004 | Peter Kaplan

[yonif]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Gun control supporters marched through Washington, D.C. on Sunday demanding that President Bush extend a federal ban on the sale of military-style assault rifles.

Several thousand protesters, organized by the same group that put together the Million Mom March in 2000, walked from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument chanting "Halt the assault."

At the head of the march, protesters held a banner depicting an AK-47 assault rifle, saying the president would be to blame for more violence unless he fulfilled a previous promise to sign an extension of the 1994 ban before it expires in September.

Gun control advocates said it would become easier for militant groups like al Qaeda to launch another attack inside the United States once the assault weapons ban expires.

"It is inconceivable at a time we have high terrorist alerts and homeland security that you would make available to the enemies of life and peace these high-powered rifles," civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson told the crowd in a speech immediately before the march.

The White House has said Bush would sign an extension of the ban if it were put before him by Congress, but he has not actively pushed for it.

Republican leaders in the House, meanwhile, have strongly opposed renewing the ban and have said they do not plan a vote on it.

Foes of the ban say it has not brought down violent crime. But such groups as the Fraternal Order of Police and the U.S. Conference of Mayors disagree, and have endorsed its extension.

At Sunday's Mother's Day march, Jackson and other gun-control advocates, from lawmakers and entertainers to shooting victims, urged supporters to pressure Congress to renew the ban.

"Every day that's what our military are using in the war in Iraq -- we need these guns on our streets? Are they crazy up there?" said Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, gesturing toward the Capitol building.

McCarthy, a New York Democrat, was elected to Congress after her husband was killed and her son injured in a Long Island commuter train shooting in 1993.

[sauropod]

Carolyn McCarthy is your district's fault ping.

[Paladin2]

Why aren't they marching in Iraq to round up all the AK-47's?

[Dan from Michigan]

BOOM

[Larry Lucido]

Every day that's what our military are using in the war in Iraq -- we need these guns on our streets? Are they crazy up there?

Yes, Ms. McCarthy, we need these guns (in our houses, not our streets). They are weapons of homeland defense, and they afford kids an opportunity to learn marksmanship at an early age.

[Militiaman7]

Didn't look like a million moms to me. No mention of SAS counter demonistration that I saw.

Pictures anyone????

[Enterprise]

"Marchers Demand Bush Extend Assault Weapons Ban"

And furthermore, the marchers demand that the U.S. Military also stop carrying firearms and start carrying swords and wearing skirts.

[EllaMinnow]

I've heard that there were only 2000 there.

[familyop]

Notice how they smother what the witches really are with phraseology like, "gun control supporters."

Folks, they're the anti-father mommy lobby--divorced women's groups! ...the same ones who fooled our Republican congressmen into passing unconstitutional, socialist laws like the VAWA.

[cmsgop]

Thank You Richard Belzer' you POS!

[EGPWS]

Several thousand protesters, organized by the same group that put together the Million Mom March in 2000,...

Lets be honest about it at least.

The "million mom march" didn't come close to the projected attendance that it's self labeling title has shown it to be.

Several thousand protesters, is a more accurate number, which is most likely the same protesters who attended the "gun supporters march".

[Mulder]

I've heard that there were only 2000 there.

Any word on the number of SAS marchers?

[Mulder]

"Every day that's what our military are using in the war in Iraq -- we need these guns on our streets? Are they crazy up there?" said Rep. Carolyn McCarthy,

Actually, the military is using the select-fire version, you idiot.

BTW, all this "assault weapons" talk has gotten me really turned on.

I think I might have to go out and buy a new Bushmaster 20" flattop AR-15.

[isom35]

"The White House has said Bush would sign an extension of the ban if it were put before him by Congress..." did anyone catch this little bit of info?

[FourtySeven]

Marchers Demand Bush Extend Assault Weapons Ban

Correction: Marchers Demand Bush Extend Assault Weapons Made Up Category of Weapon That Has No Basis in Reality Ban

There. I can die in peace now.

[NewHampshireDuo]

"The White House has said Bush would sign an extension of the ban if it were put before him by Congress..." did anyone catch this little bit of info?

Yup, that's what Bush said. Sorta like his pledge to sign CFR, you know, one of those things that would supposedly never get to his desk. Anyway, hopefully Congress will stick to their guns (is there a pun in there?) and let it die.

[joesnuffy]

Dont worry he says if it comes across his desk...he will sign it....
Wont make those returning from serving in harms way to happy
but hey...that's politics

[familyop]

"The White House has said Bush would sign an extension of the ban if it were put before him by Congress..." did anyone catch this little bit of info?"

Aw, that's been going on for a long time. The feminist-licking roach-y constituents in our Party started stabbing us in the back by violating the 2nd Amendment right of dads by way of nothing more than accusations (restraining orders).

"Republicans, Here's Something You Didn't Know - What Happened to Your Second Amendment Rights"

Put all of the dads who have been divorced by wandering wives down, and you've put down the greatest asset you had. The divorce rate is huge because of our national policies to entice people to divorce.

[familyop]

"Wont make those returning from serving in harms way to happy
but hey...that's politics"

A lot of them will be jailed for not being able to pay their child support with military pay. And no, they can't just go to court and have it quickly changed. The lawyers can only get theirs from men who have money by dragging support/alimony adjustment cases out for a long time. Under Clinton's Child Support Act (passed by Republican congressmen to, to compromise with the feminists), a lot of them will probably go to federal prisons.

[joesnuffy]

Gun control advocates said it would become easier for militant groups like al Qaeda to launch another attack inside the United States once the assault weapons ban expires.

Millions of former US military combat veterans hunters outdoorsmen and women all trained and armed and in this millieu al Qaeda feels more secure in attacking....Right'O

Just like armed robbers feel more secure robbing armed store owners and armed homeowners?

Bwahahahahahaha