Brady Campaign and Million Mom March Ask Ashcroft to Recuse Himself From Firearms Policy Decisions

U.S. Newswire ^ | 2/6/2002 | Amy Stilwell & Nancy Hwa

[Joe Brower]

Brady Campaign and Million Mom March Ask Ashcroft to Recuse
Himself From Decisions Affecting Firearms Policy

Contact: Amy Stilwell or Nancy Hwa, 202-898-0792, both of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In a letter delivered today, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united with the Million Mom March asked U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft to recuse himself from all matters related to firearms policy.

In January, Ashcroft announced that he would recuse himself from the investigation of Enron Corporation because he had received approximately $50,000 dollars in campaign contributions from Enron in his failed 2000 Senate re-election Campaign. Citing the Enron recusal, the Brady Campaign is requesting that Attorney General Ashcroft also remove himself from firearms policy decisions, as he benefited from more than $370,000 in campaign contributions from the gun industry and the National Rifle Association (NRA) in the 2000 election cycle -- an amount that exceeds far Enron's political donations.

"We commend John Ashcroft for his decision to recuse himself from any decisions related to the Enron investigation based on significant campaign contributions he had received from Enron," said Michael D. Barnes, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "Attorney General Ashcroft is wise to avoid even the appearance of impropriety that might result from taking an action affecting a major political donor.

"To be consistent, we urge Mr. Ashcroft to also recuse himself from all decisions related to firearms policy. Here, we have a situation in which the Attorney General has benefited from more than $370,000 in contributions from the gun lobby and the firearms industry -- a powerful special interest that has been on the receiving end of several favorable policy decisions made by Mr. Ashcroft over the last year.

"Now, more than ever, Americans deserve to know that key policy makers like Attorney General Ashcroft -- the nation's top law enforcement official -- are making decisions based on the best interests of all Americans and not just those of narrow special interests with deep pockets. The firearms policies that Mr. Ashcroft has implemented raise serious questions about whether the Attorney General has been unduly influenced by firearm interests at the expense of gun violence victims."

Specifically, the Brady Campaign's letter cites several examples of undue access and influence by the gun lobby:

-- After the September 11 terrorist attacks, Ashcroft refused the FBI's request to use National Instant Background Check (NICS) records to determine whether any of the individuals detained on suspicion of terrorism had been approved to buy guns. This widely criticized decision compromised law enforcement efforts to enhance homeland security and was wholly inconsistent with the Attorney General's otherwise aggressive treatment of the detainees. The only supporters and apparent beneficiaries of this decision seem to be the gun lobby.

-- In July 2001, Ashcroft sided with the NRA and moved to drastically reduce (to one day) the amount of time that the FBI must retain critical background check records on gun sales. The FBI has previously stated that such records should be retained for at least 90 days to ensure the integrity of the background check system.

-- In May 2001, Ashcroft wrote a letter to the National Rifle Association formulating a new Department of Justice Policy toward gun laws that could make it easier for criminals to challenge their convictions in gun cases and, therefore, easier for dangerous convicted criminals to reinstate their ability to purchase a firearm. The Attorney General sent this letter even though it was at odds with the official U.S. legal position in litigation (United States v. Emerson) that was pending at the time.

[Terriergal]

I didn't see El Reno recuse herself from investigating her boss who got her the job.

[Terriergal]

HEAR HEAR!!!!

[counterrevolutionary]

I just wish these HCI/Brady Campaign types would try to understand what the "nefarious gun lobby" really is, instead of mischaracterizing it every chance they get.

They understand. They're lying about it.

[counterrevolutionary]

The sad thing is that 90% of members of the mainstream press are dumb enough to think there's a genuine parallel between the Enron recusal and the requested gun control recusal, and the other 10% will pretend there is.

[HairOfTheDog]

But what a great strategy! - If they disagree with you, demand that they recuse themselves! - Make a note!

[Agent Smith]

Where the heck is the mandatory MEGA BARF ALERT?

Shouldn't there be a waiting period before this polution is allowed out in public!

THINK OF THE CHILDREN!

[connectthedots]

hey sarah, smoke'em if you got'em.

That's right; Sarah supports those evil tobacco companies, doesn't she?

[Terriergal]

yeah but it only works if you're liberal!