As I Predicted, George W. Bush Is Backing Bill Clinton's Gun Ban

In this column dated December 17, 2002, I predicted that President G.W. Bush would support the so-called assault weapons ban first promoted by former President Bill Clinton and Sen. Diane Feinstein back in 1994. Interestingly enough, the gun ban became law on the strength of a tie-breaking vote by then Vice President Al Gore. The ban is scheduled to sunset next year, but Bush is joining Clinton and Gore in supporting an extension.

Presidential spokesman Scott McClellan said, "The president supports the current law (the Clinton gun ban), and he supports reauthorization of the current law."

This must come as quite a blow to people such as the leaders of the National Rifle Association who campaigned heavily for Bush touting him as a "pro-gun" candidate. Since his election, the NRA and others have repeatedly reaffirmed their support for Bush, because he is "pro-gun." Well, now the mask is off!

I have tried to warn my readers that Bush is not a true conservative. He is not pro-life; he is not pro-family; he is not pro-Constitution. And now we know he is not pro-gun.

Instead of reversing the miserable policies of Clinton/Gore, Bush is helping to harden the cement around those policies. The gun issue is no exception.

The so-called assault weapons ban was the benchmark piece of legislation reflecting the anti-gun policies of people such as Clinton, Gore, Feinstein, and New York Senator Charles Schumer. It was also the number one target of the NRA. In fact, the NRA all but promised their supporters that a Bush presidency would help reverse this Draconian gun ban. Instead, Bush is pushing Congress to extend the ban.

A bill to reauthorize the gun ban will be introduced by Senator Feinstein in the coming weeks. It must pass both chambers of Congress to reach the President's desk. The best chance of stopping it will be in the House of Representatives. However, in order to defeat this bill, it must resist the power and influence of the White House. This will be no small task.

Not only is Bush betraying the pro-gun voters who helped elect him, he is breathing new life into a nearly dead anti-gun movement. Most political analysts credit Bush's pro-gun image as the chief reason he defeated Al Gore in the 2000 election. They also credit the pro-gun image of the Republican Party for helping them to achieve impressive wins in the 2002 congressional elections.

Now, Bush is giving new credibility to anti-gun zealots such as Schumer and Feinstein and is helping to reinvigorate the anti-gun momentum that had all but been put on ice.

However, the real question will be, "Will pro-gun conservatives continue to support Bush?" Bush is every bit the "Teflon President" that Clinton was. Conservatives seem willing to overlook anything he does, no matter how liberal or unconstitutional it may be. Will they overlook this, also?

If you truly believe in the Second Amendment and are willing to do something about it, I suggest you go to the Gun Owners of America website. They have a quick link set up which allows people an opportunity to conveniently send email to the White House about this issue. Go to the gun ban "alert" button. From there you can voice your disapproval with the President's decision to betray his constituents by supporting this new round of gun control.

Once again, the ball of freedom and constitutional government is in the court of the American people. Will they keep the ball and do something with it, or will they hand it off to the neo-conservatives at the White House? We'll see.

"That’s why I’m for instant background checks at gun shows. I’m for trigger locks."
George W. Bush - Source: St. Louis debate Oct 17,2000.

MORE INJUSTICE ON THE WAY - Bush GUN CONTROL
"Gene Healy, a Cato Institute scholar, recently provided a thorough exploration of the unintended consequences of one law, the new Bush-Ashcroft plan to federalize gun crimes, known as the Project Safe Neighborhoods program. The unintended consequences of this law are frightening."
NOTE: Same Article in Washington Times.

"W. Wimps Out on Guns"
The Bush package includes several pet causes of the gun-control lobby, including $75 million for gun locks; $15.3 million for 113 new federal attorneys to serve as full-time gun prosecutors; and $19.1 million to expand a program by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms aimed at preventing youths from obtaining guns. Although Bush stressed that he simply wants to "enforce existing laws," the fine print of Project Safe echoes the gun-grabbing Left's call to ban the importation of high-capacity ammunition clips."

LAURA BUSH:
"During her San Diego speech, for instance, she said nothing about the school shooting that occurred 20 miles away in El Cajon the day before, although in a television interview she condemned it, adding that she thinks more gun control laws are needed.

"I think that's very important," she said when asked by CNN whether stronger gun laws are needed."
Source.

US presidential election is scheduled to occur November 2, 2004

1994 Crime Bill With Semi-Auto Ban

The 1994 federal "Crime Bill," signed into law by President Clinton on Sept. 13, 1994, included the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. That Act included provisions amending the Gun Control Act (GCA, 1968) to make it a federal crime for a private individual to possess or transfer (sell, give, etc.) an "assault weapon" manufactured after that date. [18 U.S.C. 922(v)]. "Assault weapons" manufactured on or before that date are "grandfathered," meaning that the law does not prohibit their possession or transfer. Government agencies and their agents (the military, police departments, etc.) are exempt from the law. To distinguish between "pre-law" and "post-law" firearms, the law requires that "assault weapons" manufactured after Sept. 13, 1994 be stamped with their date of manufacture. Regulations require that such firearms manufactured after that date be stamped "RESTRICTED LAW ENFORCEMENT/ GOVERNMENT USE ONLY." The law is scheduled to expire on Sept. 13, 2004.

The law defines firearms as "assault weapons" by one or both of two methods: name and description. [18 U.S.C. 921(a)(30)]. All told, the law affects more than 175 semi-automatic rifles, pistols and shotguns and revolving cylinder shotguns a cross-section of firearms of various sizes, shapes, and calibers/gauges. Under the law, the term "semiautomatic assault weapon" means:

any of the firearms, or copies or duplicates of the firearms in any caliber, known as: Norinco, Mitchell, Poly Technologies Avtomat Kalashnikovs (all models); Action Arms I.M.I. UZI and Galil; Beretta AR-70 (SC70); Colt AR-15; Fabrique Nationale FN-FAL/LAR, and FNC; SWD M-10, M-11, M-11/9, and M-12; Steyr AUG; Intratec TEC-9, TEC-DC9, and TEC-22; and revolving cylinder shotguns, such as (or similar to) the Street Sweeper and Striker 12;
a semi-automatic rifle that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least two of the following: a folding or telescoping stock; a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon; a bayonet mount; a flash suppressor or threaded barrel; and a grenade launcher;
a semi-automatic pistol that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least two of the following: an ammunition magazine that attaches to the pistol outside of the pistol grip; a threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel extender, flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer; a shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the nontrigger hand without being burned; a manufactured weight of 50 ounces or more when the pistol is unloaded; and a semiautomatic version of an automatic firearm; and
a semi-automatic shotgun that has at least two of the following: a folding or telescoping stock; a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon; a fixed magazine in excess of five rounds; and an ability to accept a detachable magazine.
"Large capacity ammunition feeding devices"

The law also prohibits a private individual from possessing or transferring a "large capacity ammunition feeding device" manufactured after Sept. 13, 1994. Government agencies and their agents (the military, police departments, etc.) are exempt. The law defined that term to include "a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device . . . that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition; but does not include an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition." Such "devices" manufactured prior on or before Sept. 13, 1994, including those manufactured outside the United States, remain legal to possess, transfer and import. Such "devices" manufactured after that date must be stamped with the date of manufacture. The law places the "burden of proof" upon the government, not the individual, in the event of a criminal charge relating to possession of such a "device." This portion of the law, too, is scheduled to expire on Sept. 13, 2004.

Post-law variations of "assault weapons"

Under the law, a firearm is not an "assault weapon" if it does not meet the criteria pertaining to firearm characteristics. Thus, firearm companies may lawfully produce, and consumers may lawfully purchase and possess (unless restricted under state or local law), firearms that are identical to "assault weapons" except for a change of name and/or the absence of one or more of the listed physical features. For example, an Olympic Arms SM-1, (top photo, below) is an "assault weapon." However, the Olympic Arms PCR ("Politically Correct Rifle," bottom photo) is not an "assault weapon," and is not affected by the law, because, though identical to the SM-1 in every other respect, the PCR has only one of the listed features. As the photos show, the distinction between the two rifles is superficial:

Assault weapon" with "conspicuous" grip, bayonet mount, and flash suppressor.

"Politically Correct Rifle" with "conspicuous" grip only

Rifles like those pictured above, generically referred to as "AR-15s," are now the centerfire rifles most commonly used for marksmanship competitions in America. Hundreds of thousands of AR-15s have been manufactured since the law took effect. And while anti-gun activist groups would allege this to be a dangerous circumstance, the fact is that violent crime has declined every year since 1991 and the nation's violent crime rate is now at a 23-year low. Congress' study of the "assault weapons" law questioned the law's value, since the firearms in question were never used in much crime.

"Armor-piercing ammunition"

In 1986, the GCA was amended to prohibit the manufacture or importation of "armor piercing ammunition," defined as "a projectile or projectile core which may be used in a handgun and which is constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other substances) from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium." The 1994 crime bill added to the definition, "a full jacketed projectile larger than .22 caliber designed and intended for use in a handgun and whose jacket has a weight of more than 25 percent of the total weight of the projectile."

Regulations and requirements relating to Federal Firearm Licensees

The law requires an FFL applicant to submit fingerprints and photographs to BATF and notify his chief local law enforcement officer of the application. An applicant must certify that the business to be conducted under the license is not prohibited by State or local law, that no business will be conducted until in compliance with State and local laws, and that such laws will be complied with within 30 days after approval of the FFL. Licensees must report to BATF and local law enforcement authorities the theft or loss of a firearm within 48 hours and respond within 24 hours to a BATF request for information about the disposition of firearms related to a criminal investigation. BATF must notify state and local law enforcement authorities of the names and addresses of persons to whom an FFL is issued, and may inspect licensees' records during a criminal investigation. The law extends to 60 days the period BATF has to act on applications.

Restrictions relating to juveniles

The law prohibits the transfer to, or possession by, a juvenile (person under age 18), of a handgun or handgun ammunition, with certain exceptions relating to employment, target practice, hunting, firearms training, service with the Armed Forces or National Guard, in defense against an intruder into the residence of the juvenile or a residence in which the juvenile is an invited guest, and other circumstances with prior written consent of the juvenile's parent or guardian.

Enhanced penalties

The 1994 Crime Bill also imposed a 10 year imprisonment penalty on individuals who, "during in and in relation to any crime of violence or drug trafficking crime (including a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime which provides for an enhanced punishment if committed by the use of a deadly or dangerous weapon or device) for which he may be prosecuted in a court of the United States," uses or carries a "semiautomatic assault weapon." This penalty is imposed on top of the penalty for the violent or drug trafficking crime. Second and subsequent convictions for carrying or using a "semiautomatic assault weapon" during such a crime are punishable by 20 years imprisonment. [18 U.S.C. 924(c)]

Other federal laws affecting "assault weapons" and other semi-automatic firearms

18 U.S.C. 925(d)(3), imposed by the GCA and later amended, requires the Treasury Secretary to approve for importation any firearm that is "generally recognized as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes . . . ," with certain exceptions. BATF has regulatory authority to interpret what that language means. In early 1989, following a crime committed with an imported semi-automatic rifle, President Bush ordered BATF to suspend the importation of 43 makes and models of foreign-made semi-automatic rifles (all previously approved for importation) and to review their eligibility for importation. BATF later stated that the rifles were no longer eligible for importation due to their having a folding or telescoping stock, a pistol grip separate from the stock, a bayonet lug, a flash suppressor, etc. BATF found insignificant the fact that such rifles have been used for a half century in formal target shooting competitions, such as the NRA National Championships and the Civilian Marksmanship Program National Matches (the latter conducted under the auspices of the federal government until 1996, on a private basis since). Subsequently, manufacturers and importers removed the attachments and BATF approved the modified rifles for importation. In 1998, President Clinton ordered BATF to suspend importation of about 50 models of modified rifles. Treasury and BATF later co-issued a report finding that the rifles were ineligible for importation because they could use preexisting "large capacity" ammunition magazines.

18 U.S.C. 922(r), imposed in 1990, prohibits "assembling from imported parts any semi-automatic rifle or any shotgun which is identical to any rifle or shotgun prohibited from importation." BATF's regulation [178.39, Commerce in Firearms] prohibits using more than 10 "imported parts," from a list of 20 parts, such as trigger, hammer, barrel, etc. (BATF had proposed prohibiting using more than two imported parts.) The provision was adopted to prohibit restoring modified rifles to pre-ban configuration after importation.

A Partial List Of Firearms Classified as "Assault Weapons"

1. AO-9 Assault Pistol
2. AA Arms AR9 Rifle
3. American Arms AKY39 Rifle
4. American Arms AKF39 Rifle
5. American 180
6. AMT Lightning 25 Rifle
7. Anschutz Deluxe Model 520/61
8. AR-10 Semi-Auto Rifle
9. Armalite AR-180 Sporter Carbine
10. Armscor Model 1600
11. Armscor AK-22
12. Armscorp M-l4 Semi-Auto Rifle
13. Australian Automatic Arms SAR
14. Australian Automatic Arms SAC
15. Australian Automatic Arms SAP
16. Australian Automatic Arms SP
Hunting Rifle
17. Australian Automatic Arms SP20
Hunting Rifle
18. Australian LlA1 FAL
19. Auto-Ordnance Mod 1927A-3
20. Auto-Ordnance 1927-A5 Pistol
21. Barrett Light-Fifty
22. Benelli M1 Super 90 Defense Shotgun
23. Benelli M3 Super 90 Shotgun
24. Beretta AR-70 Sporter
25. Beretta SC-70 Carbine
26. Bushmaster Auto Rifle
27. Bushmaster Rifle
28. Bushmaster Auto Pistol
29. Bushmaster XM-15
30. Calico Model 100 Carbine
31. Calico Model 110 Pistol
32. Calico Model 900 Carbine
33. Calico Model 950 Pistol
34. Calico Model 951 Tactical Carbine
35. CETME Rifle
36. Clayco AKS Rifle
37. Claridge Hi-Tec pistol
38. Cobray M-11
39. Cobray M-11/9
40. Cobray 9mm Carbine
41. Cobray M-12
42. Colt AR-15
43. Colt AR-15A2 Carbine
44. Colt AR-15A2 HBAR
45. Colt AR-15 A2 Delta HBAR
46. Colt Match Delta HBAR
47. Colt Sporter Lightweight
48. Colt Sporter Target
49. Daewoo AR110C
50. Daewoo AR100
51. Demro TAC-1 Carbine
52. Demro XF-7 Carbine
53. D-Max Auto Pistol
54. Eagle Arms EA-15 Action Master
55. Eagle Arms EA-15 Auto Rifle
56. Eagle Arms EA-15 E1 Carbine
57. Eagle Arms EA-15 E2 Carbine
58. Eagle Arms EA-15 E2 HBAR
59. Eagle Arms EA-15 Golden Eagle
60. Essential Arms J-15
61. XM Z31S Semi-Auto Pistol
62. Egyptian Maadi AKM

63. Egyptian Maadi Thumbhole AKM
64. EMF AP-74
65. Encom Mk IV
66. FAMAS Semi-Auto Rifle
67. Feather AT-9 Carbine
68. Feather AT-22
69. Feather Mini-AT
70. Feather SAR-180 Carbine
71. Federal Model XC-220
72. Federal XC900 Pistol
73. Federal SC450 Plstol
74. Federal Ord M-14 Rifle
75. Fabrique Nationale Model FNC
76. Fabrique Nationale "G" Series LAR
Competition
77. Fabrique Nationale LAR Match
78. Fabrique Nationale LAR Model 50-64
79. Fabrique Nationale LAR Model 50-63
80. Franchi LAW 12 Shotgun
81. Franchi SPAS 12 Shotgun
82. Galil AR
83. Galil ARM
84. Galil Sniper Rifle
85. Galil Sporter
86. Goncz High-Tech Carbine
87. Goncz High-Tech Long Pistol
88. Grendel P-31 Auto Carbine
89. Heckler & Koch PSG-1 Marksman
90. Heckler & Koch 91
91. Heckler & Koch 93
92. Heckler & Koch 94
93. Heckler & Koch SP89
94. Holmes MP-22
95. Holmes MP-38
96. Holmes MP-83
97. Intratec Scorpion
98. Intratec TEC 9
99. Intratec TEC DC9
100. Intratec TEC 22
101. Israeli FALs
102. Iver Johnson Enforcer Model 3000
103. Iver Johnson PM30HB Carbine
104. Kassnar SA 85M AKM
105. Kassnar SA 85M Thumbhole AKM
106. MAC-10 Semi-Auto
107. MAC-11 Semi-Auto
108. Mitchell AKM
109. Mitchell AK-22
110. Mitchell Galil/22
111. Mitchell Heavy Barrel AKM
112. Mitchell MAS-22
113. Mitchell M-1622
114. Mitchell M-76 Counter Sniper Rifle
115. M1 Carbine with folding stock
116. Norinco MAK 90 Rifle
117. Norinco MAK 91 Legend Rifle
118. Norinco Officer's Nine Carbine
119. Norinco RPK Rifle
120. Norinco Type 81S Rifle
121. Norinco Type 81 MGS Rifle
122. Norinco Type 84S AK
123. Norinco Type 86S Bullpup
124. Norinco Type 86S-7 Rifle
125. Norinco Type 88SB Rifle
126. Olympic Arms CAR 9
127. Olympic Arms CAR-15
128. Olympic Arms CAR-40

129. Olympic Arms CAR-45
130. Olymplc Arms CAR-310
131. Olympic Arms K4 AR-15 Rifle
132. PAC West AR-15 type
133. Partisan Avenger
134. Poly Technologies AK-47/S
135. Poly Technologies AKS-762
136. Poly Tech' AKS-76S Down Folder
137. Poly Tech' AKS-76S Side Folder
138. Poly Technologies M-14/S
139. Poly Technologies RPKS-74
140. Ruger Mini-14 with folding stock
141. Scarab Skorpion Pistol
142. Sendra AR-15 type
143. SIG AMT
144. SIG PE-57
145. SIG SG 5552 SP Rifle
146. SIG SG 550-2 SP Carbine
147. Smith Enterprises M-14 Semi-Auto
148. Spectre Carbine
149. Spectre DA Pistol
150. Springfield Armory SAR-3
151. Springfield Armory SAR 48 Standard
152. Springfield Arm. SAR 48 Bush Rifle
153. Springfield Armory SAR 8 H-Bbl.
154. Springfield Armory SAR 8 Para
155. Springfield Armory SAR 4800
156. Springfield Arm. M1A Basic Model
157. Springfield Arm. M1A Standard Rifle
158. Springfield Arm. M1A Nat'l Match
159. Springfield Arm. MlA Super Match
160. Springfield Arm. M1A-A1 Bush Rifle
161. Springfield Armory BM-59 Italian
162. Springfield Armory BM-59 Alpine
163. Springfield Arm. BM-59 Alpine Para
164. Springfield Armory BM-59 Nigerian
165. Springfield Armory M-21
166. Sterling Carbine
167. Steyr AUG SA
168. Street Sweeper Shotgun*
169. Striker 12 SE-12 Shotgun*
170. SVD Tiger Rifle
171. Universal 100 Carbine
172. USAS-12 Auto
173. Uzi Carbine
174. Uzi Pistol
175. Mini Uzi
176. Valmet M-62/S Rifle
177. Valmet M-71/S Rifle
178. Valmet M-76 Standard Rifle
179. Valmet M-76 Rifle
180. Valmet M-82 Bullpup Rifle
181. Weaver Arms Nighthawk
182. Wilkinson Terry Carbine
* Revolving cylinder, not semi-auto

Posted: 7/28/1999

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SOURCE

"We are reduced to the alternative of chusing an unconditional submission to the tyranny of irritated ministers, or resistance by force. -- The latter is our choice. -- We have counted the cost of this contest, and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery. -- Honour, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us. We cannot endure the infamy and guilt of resigning succeeding generations to that wretchedness which inevitably awaits them, if we basely entail hereditary bondage upon them."
Source: http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a84e4b.htm

THE MIDNIGHT RIDE OF PAUL REVERE

Listen my children and you will hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.
"To arms! To arms!" To spades and hoes?!?
Bury all your guns before the king knows!

Imagine the redcoats, filled with delight-
not one armed colonist stood ready to fight.
Lexington and Concord were burned to the ground,
Crackling flames the only heard sound.

More taxes were levied, more rights denied;
for lack of arms, patriots died.
So listen my children and you SHALL hear-
No country was born, only suffering and fear.

So if tyranny you want, then bury and pray
For the speedy arrival of that "brighter day."
But if Liberty you love and you yearn to be free,
Then live by this motto: DON'T TREAD ON ME!

An excellent poem to be sure, but also a warning that Freedom was not free …… for one has to remain ever vigilant lest the forces that are bent on enslaving all, will take away the freedom’s you cherish!

The next item was originally posted on AR-15.com and I would like to include it here:

----Original Message Follows----
From: "Bill Marcy" - wmarcy@stny.rr.com
Subject: Re: FW: [AR15-L]

I don't know if my whole rant on NEVER REGISTERING is simply guilt. I remember looking back at my grandfather as he was shooting his old bolt action mauser at the troop carrier that had pulled up to our door. My father and mother had been rounded up the same way a year earlier (they used the gun registration/confiscation list). My father had hidden my sister and me under the floor boards, and we watched as they dragged my father and mother out the door. My grandfather came to get us after two days (being two days under a floor with a sister is verging on hell, but we survived it), he took us back to his house and we were schooled in escaping if it ever became necessary.

When we heard the screams from the other families as they were dragged from their homes, the utter lack of defense, other than men kicking and punching at soldiers, who cheerfully clubbed them with rifle buttts, was striking.

When my grandfather pulled out his long hidden mauser, I started to cry. I knew that I would never see him again. I was never so proud of anyone in my life. He kissed my grandmother and pushed us out the back door, it led into a alley, and there was a tunnel that we had prepared that led out into the fields. I stopped at the door and watched as he opened the window slightly, he was like a machine after that, he worked that bolt faster than I can remember seeing anyone else do. I watched for three rounds, I am sure that for each of those three rounds, one soldier fell.

I heard more rounds fired as I got into the tunnel, I also heard automatic fire open up, I don't know how long he held them off, but I do know that we made it to the fields and eventually (through a long route) to America.

Too say I will not allow it to happen here is egotistical as anything I can think of but I do know that I will take my turn at the window this time, and hope that I can do as well as my grandfather did.

Source

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If Congress votes to re-authorize the 1994 Clinton/Feinstein federal so-called "Assault Weapons" ban, gives the bill to President Bush and he signs it into law, would you still vote for him in his bid for re-election to the Presidency in 2004?
Hell No, and I'll tell all of my friends to abandon him, too!	80.9%	3662 votes
No.	12.3%	559 votes
Yes.	4.0%	183 votes
Yes, I would still vote for him, even after he proves that he's a traitor.	2.8%	125 votes
Total Votes: 4529