Gun-control supporters split over strategy to extend assault weapons ban

[conservativefromGa]

Gun-control supporters split over strategy to extend assault weapons ban

(05-07) 15:37 PDT WASHINGTON (AP) --

People who want to keep assault weapons off the streets are divided over the best way to extend the ban on those guns, which is set to expire two months before the 2004 elections.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., on Thursday will introduce an extension of the assault weapons ban that she helped enact in 1994. The Bush administration has announced its support for continuing the prohibition on military-style assault weapons.

The issue promises to become mixed up with election-year politics, just as the original ban -- passed by a Democratic Congress and signed by President Clinton -- helped fuel the Republican takeover of Congress in 1994.

Many gun-control advocates who are normally allied with Feinstein are backing a more sweeping measure that Democrats in the House also will introduce Thursday.

The bill by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., and Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., is modeled on California law, which supporters of gun control point to as much more effective than the federal law on assault weapons in combating gun makers' efforts to evade the ban.

The difference is in the definition of an assault weapon. The current law and Feinstein's bill cast a narrower net than does the House Democrats' proposal.

Gun-rights groups said they will try to defeat both bills. "Empirical evidence shows this gun ban has had zero effect on reducing crime," said Andrew Arulanandam, spokesman for the National Rifle Association.

[conservativefromGa]

Feinstein is introducing a Kalifornia style ban

meanwhile here's what are president thinks...

"There are times when we agree [the NRA] and there are times when we disagree," said Scott McClellan, a White House spokesman. "The president makes decisions based on what he believes is the right policy for Americans." Mr. McClellan added that the ban was put in place as a way of deterring crime and that Mr. Bush "felt it was reasonable."

[conservativefromGa]

*

[Dan from Michigan]

I say that if Bush signs it, then he is either STUPID, or wants to throw the election.

[lainie]

I'm with Dan.

[Mikey]

"The Bush administration has announced its support for continuing the prohibition on military-style assault weapons."

R.I.N.O

"The president makes decisions based on what he believes is the right policy for Americans."

You mean he doesn't make decisions based on the Constitution for the United States? [/sarcasm]

[Satadru]

If Bush signs this, he will lose. Period.

[jt8d]

The president had better pay VERY close attention to what gun owners think. If Mr. Bush plays "Mr. Moderate" with this issue, then he will loose my vote in 2004. Period.

[Atlas Sneezed]

The police-state thugs are introducing a true BAN so that the NRA can take credit for protecting us from it, and only advocating for an extension of the existing ban. The NRA will play the role of "Useful Idiots" here, as often before.)

Mark my words.

(And I will be delighted to be proven wrong.)

[Mariner]

He'll never be presented a bill......he won't have to sign it.

Spokesmen for GW say he supports the ban....making the issue local and keeping it in the hands of the Congress. The Congress is where this issue is best exploited by the GOP and NRA.

This is a VERY good issue for the GOP in next years elections.........and neither of these bills will pass.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"He'll never be presented a bill......he won't have to sign it."

And your neighbor might never be presented with the chance to rape your underage daughter and make her his slave. But would you vote for him if he promised publicly to do so, given the chance?

[BenR2]

I say that if Bush signs it, then he is either STUPID, or wants to throw the election.

////
Have to agree. (Think it is the former, however.)

[BenR2]

And your neighbor might never be presented with the chance to rape your underage daughter and make her his slave. But would you vote for him if he promised publicly to do so, given the chance?

/////
Well put. Wish I had thought of that.

Bush's approach to this issue is lacking in logic, strategy, or character.

[BenR2]

If Mr. Bush plays "Mr. Moderate" with this issue, then he will loose my vote in 2004. Period.

////
Have you emailed him this warning, yet, at President@WhiteHouse.gov?

I think we all need to let him know how strongly we feel.

[Dan from Michigan]

I didn't email him. I did however call his office a couple of weeks back on it. Where's that number again..

1-202-456-1111

[Myrddin]

The best way to keep "assault weapons" off the street is to put them away properly in your gun cabinet. I never leave expensive firearms on the street.

[Kenton]

The president had better pay VERY close attention to what gun owners think. If Mr. Bush plays "Mr. Moderate" with this issue, then he will loose my vote in 2004. Period.

Bob Dole lost mine in '96 for supporting "Brady" and the "AW" ban. I voted my conscience for a third party candidate. What I got was four more years of Bill Clinton. Go figger...

[Doc #1]

"He'll never be presented a bill......he won't have to sign it.

Spokesmen for GW say he supports the ban....making the issue local and keeping it in the hands of the Congress.

The Congress is where this issue is best exploited by the GOP and NRA.

This is a VERY good issue for the GOP in next years elections.........and neither of these bills will pass."

Exactly correct. The Bush team has neutralized a potential Democratic campaign issue. Both houses of Congress are in Republican control. Even if the RINOs in the Senate fold and this measure passes there, it will never be passed in the House. This is an excellent way to handle it.

[OldPossum]

Exactly right! This is great political strategy on behalf of the Bush Administration. Make those stupid Democrats vote for an unpopular piece of legislation in September and beat 'em in the election in November.

[cruiserman]

keep assault weapons off the streets

What do they mean by off the streets? Are homeless people carrying semi-auto rifles around these days?

BTW it's legal to do so in Idaho assuming you're not a felon. Concealed, too.

[taxed2death]

Are open, unpatrolled borders "right for Americans"..

Bush is a RINO.