Posted on 07/06/2004 1:52:09 PM PDT by ActionNewsBill
Former Presidents Ford, Carter, Clinton Urge President Bush to Save the Assault Weapons Ban
7/6/2004 9:20:00 AM
To: National Desk
Contact: Peter Hamm of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence United With the Million Mom March, 202-898-0792
WASHINGTON, July 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Former Presidents Ford, Carter and Clinton are urging President Bush to save the landmark 1994 federal Assault Weapons Act, which is set to expire Sept. 13 unless the President and Congress act.
Saying "at a time when terrorism continues to be a serious threat, it is even more imperative that we renew the Assault Weapons Act and limit access to military-style weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips." The former Presidents point out that there are few Congressional working days left before the ban expires, and urge President Bush "to make reauthorization of the Assault Weapons Act a top priority for your Administration and spur Congress to action."
The federal Assault Weapons Act bans the manufacture and sale Of military-style semiautomatic assault weapons, including the AK-47, Uzi and TEC-9, and expires on Sept. 13, 2004 unless renewed by President Bush and Congress. Renewal of the Act is supported by major law enforcement organizations and opposed by the National Rifle Association. According to ATF data, since the Act was passed in 1994, the incidence of assault weapon use in crime has dropped by 66 percent.
Former Presidents Reagan, Carter and Ford sent a similar letter to Congress in May 1994 urging Congress to pass the law.
The letter was sent to the White House today. The full text follows.
June 14, 2004
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Bush:
We are pleased that you support reauthorization of the federal Assault Weapons Act, which is scheduled to expire in September. Each of us, along with President Reagan, worked hard in support of this vital law, and it would be a grave mistake if it were allowed to sunset.
There continues to be strong support for this law among our nation's police officers who risk their lives every day to protect the public. That is because they remember the days, prior to the enactment of the law in 1994, when military-style, semiautomatic firearms had become the weapons of choice for gangs, drug traffickers, and paramilitary extremist groups. The firearm death rate soared as criminals used these weapons, outfitted with 20, 50 and even hundred round ammunition clips, to kill, maim, and terrorize. We cannot go back to those days.
At a time when terrorism continues to be a serious threat, it is even more imperative that we renew the Assault Weapons Act and limit access to military-style weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips. But with upcoming recesses, there are not many legislative days left for Congress to renew the law. We urge you to make reauthorization of the Assault Weapons Act a top priority for your Administration and spur Congress to action. If we can be of assistance to you in this regard, we are ready to do so.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford
Bill Clinton
Jimmy Carter
-0-
/© 2004 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
© 2004 U.S. Newswire
A Division of 
3 more reasons to oppose it.
Saw this posted on another site, and though it could use some exposure and comment here.
Yeah, now there's your regular Algonquin Roundtable. Sheesh.
Is this true about former President Reagan?
Oh my! Whatever are we going to do? Only a few more months until October.
All of 'em are idjits.
Ideas and budget suggestions on what to buy on September 14 are welcome.
The Three Stooges!!!
Current Freeper urges them all to Shut Up and enjoy their respective retirements.
I suppose only in dreamland might we get to hear:
"at a time when terrorism continues to be a serious threat, it is even more imperative than ever that we not obstuct Americans' access to the means with which they might properly defend themselves against terrorists."
Bang
Bush better hope this bill dies in the House.
Ford's greatest accomplishment as President is that he help pave the way for Reagan in 1980. At least Bush 41 is staying out of this one.
Can't beleive Reagan would've sent that.
This is a poorly written - well, poorly edited, anyway - press release from the Brady Campaign/HCI.
I wouldn't be trusting it to be 100% accurate.
Post-ban configurations will probably drop in price after the tha ban expires.
You might want to wait until prices stabilize.
As if Ford and Carter had any credibility on the issue. Ford never one an national race. In fact he never won anything beyond his house district in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He's the last Republican presidential candidate to lose Texas. Carter's term was the darkest period of the post WWII era.
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