Posted on 05/08/2003 5:42:38 AM PDT by Joe Brower
The media assault in preparation for the upcoming battle over the sunset or renewal of the 1994 "Assault Weapons" ban has begun. For an example, go HERE.
To counter this, last week I snail-mailed my two (crappy) senators (Nelson and Graham), my Rep (Katherine Harris), and President G.W. Bush letters which I include below for your copy-paste-and-edit convenience, along with a fourteen-page copy of David Kopel's excellent article (URL below). Please take the time NOW to do likewise!
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Rational Basis Analysis of "Assault Weapon" Prohibition, David Kopel, 1994
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THE LETTERS:
Dear President Bush;
I am writing to urge you to disavow any and all support for the renewal of the so-called "Assault Weapons" ban of 1994, which is due to automatically sunset in 2004 unless specifically resurrected by Congress. While there is a chance that this bill may never reach your desk, I must tell you that comments made recently by White House spokesman Scott McClellan have incensed many law-abiding firearms owners, people upon whom your narrow win in November of 2000 hinged. Personally, I worked my fingers to the bone to support your election as President, and if this political pandering is how my loyalty and support is to be rewarded, I will be forced to reconsider my vote in 2004, not to mention my affiliation with the Republican party itself.
Laws of this nature are a de facto vote of no confidence in the American people, and, as such offensive and in contradiction to the spirit of Liberty upon which this great nation was founded. The real truth behind this law is the fact that fear has been utilized to stigmatize and demonize a general class of firearms that are, in reality, no more "deadly" than common hunting rifles. The 1994 "Assault Weapon Ban" was and is an ill-advised, knee jerk reaction to crime, a farce perpetrated by anti-gun activists which has done nothing but confuse law abiding gun owners and law enforcement.
With this letter I have attached a 14-page essay by The Independence Institute's David Kopel, from a 1994 issue of The Journal of Contemporary Law. It is my hope that you will read it in order to come to a more informed conclusion regarding so-called "Assault Weapons".
Again, I urge you to let the 1994 "Assault Weapons" ban sunset in 2004.
Respectfully,
Dear Ms. Harris;
I am writing to urge you to disavow any and all support for the renewal of the so-called "Assault Weapons" ban of 1994, which is due to automatically sunset in 2004 unless specifically resurrected by Congress. It is my understanding that Senator Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has recently introduced a bill for the continuance of this law. I strongly urge you to withhold your support from this bill should it reach the House, as well as any other efforts made in this regard.
Last November, I worked my fingers to the bone to support your election as House Representative of Florida's 13th Congressional District, and if the re-enactment of laws of this nature is how my loyalty and support is to be rewarded, I will be forced to reconsider my efforts and my vote in 2004, not to mention my affiliation with the Republican party itself.
Laws of this nature are a de facto vote of no confidence in the American people, and, as such offensive and in contradiction to the spirit of Liberty upon which this great nation was founded. The real truth behind this law is the fact that fear has been utilized to stigmatize and demonize a general class of firearms that are, in reality, no more "deadly" than common hunting rifles. The 1994 "Assault Weapon Ban" was and is an ill-advised, knee jerk reaction to crime, a farce perpetrated by anti-gun activists which has done nothing but confuse law abiding gun owners and law enforcement.
With this letter I have attached a 14-page essay by The Independence Institute's David Kopel, from a 1994 issue of The Journal of Contemporary Law. It is my hope that you will read it in order to come to a more informed conclusion regarding so-called "Assault Weapons".
Again, I urge you to let the 1994 "Assault Weapons" ban sunset in 2004.
Respectfully,
Dear Senator Stalin;
I am writing to urge you to disavow any and all support for the renewal of the so-called "Assault Weapons" ban of 1994, which is due to automatically sunset in 2004 unless specifically resurrected by Congress. It is my understanding that Senator Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has recently introduced a bill for the continuance of this law. I strongly urge you to withhold your support from this and any other effort made in this regard.
Laws of this nature are a de facto vote of no confidence in the American people, and, as such offensive and in contradiction to the spirit of Liberty upon which this great nation was founded. The real truth behind this law is the fact that fear has been utilized to stigmatize and demonize a general class of firearms that are, in reality, no more "deadly" than common hunting rifles. The 1994 "Assault Weapon Ban" was and is an ill-advised, knee jerk reaction to crime, a farce perpetrated by anti-gun activists which has done nothing but confuse law abiding gun owners and law enforcement.
To highlight just one of the many ironies of this law, let me point out that twenty years ago, at the tender age of eighteen, I was somehow magically "anointed" when I entered the armed services and handed weapons of much more fearsome nature and capability than anything that can be bought here in the "land of the free" as a civilian, twenty years ago, when I was one-fourth a personally responsible as I am now. This is wrong, and this wrong must be rectified.
With this letter I have attached a 14-page essay by The Independence Institute's David Kopel, from a 1994 issue of The Journal of Contemporary Law. It is my hope that you will read it in order to come to a more informed conclusion regarding so-called "Assault Weapons".
Again, I urge you to let the 1994 "Assault Weapons" ban sunset in 2004.
Respectfully,
Lets stop this nonsense in the Congress!
Hah-hah! No. My senators in FL are Bill Nelson and Bob Graham. Not that they wouldn't love to be like Stalin if they were given the option. Graham especially.
Concerning the "1994 Crime Bill" wherein this "assault weapon ban" was implemented...No Title Given
Snip..."This bill is centrist and bipartisan to its very bone," he told members of the International Convention of B'nai B'rith in Chicago via satellite.
Snip...The existing crime bill was passed by the House 235-195 on Sunday, with 46 Republicans supporting it.
And if memory serves the Republicans had the majority in both houses in 1994...
When the uslessness of actions deigned to persuade representatives to vote as their constituents desires is fully recognized as fruitless, then, and only then, will Americans really wake up and smell the coffee. G_d help us, for the battle is fully joined.
"This bill is centrist and bipartisan to its very bone."
Sheesh, we sure don't get many breaks, do we?
Unfortunatly, I have Senator Stalin here as well. Carl Lenin and Debbie Stabusall. At least Mike Rogers is good.
The dems had control in 1994. They lost in the 94 elections and took control in 95.
And?
Yet, they've failed to repeal the Assault Weapons Ban (103rd Congress, 5/5/94): H.R. 4296 (Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act) since then.
Way to go guys in making my point for me!
The NRA refused to endorse Dole. Klinton got a 2nd Term.
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