Gun Rights on a Roll:Republican Congress Unlikely to Renew Clinton Weapons Ban

Human Events ^ | Week of May 12, 2003 | David Freddoso

[Cloud William]

I found some discussion on it here that sheds a little light on the subject.Dont know how accurate this is.

Interesting link, thanks. Looks like I've got to do a bit of research, because the last post in that thread sure seems contrary to what I can dimly recollect (the mists of time grow thick).

What I do recall is that for some reason, back in 1990 there were a number of "loophole" guns on the market. These were mostly Norinco AK-S rifles that were already in the shipping pipeline when GHWB's exec order took effect. The original receiver of each rifle was cut per BATF regulations, after which the rifle (by then just "spare parts kit") was allowed into the country.

At least one enterprising company (B-West) assembled some of those parts on new, American-made receivers (if you run across one bearing that rollmark, excercise caution. They are infamous for poor heat-treating), and *voila*: legal firearms available for sale - in otherwise original condition. Pistol grip, bayonet, the works.

Something prompted those importers to turn functional rifles into parts kits. If not an executive order from Bush 41, than what?

[Cloud William]

Here's an interesting transcript of some of what Bush (41) had to say on the subject back in '89 (the exchange below is between Bush and Helen (the Troll) Thomas:

Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session With Reporters
February 16, 1989

(snip)

Gun Control

Q. Mr. President, even though there's been a cutoff, there is something called guns that is so rampant in this country --

The President. Helen, it's been a great pleasure. The last question -- --

Q. Why won't you answer the question, because this is one of the most clearly -- --

Mr. Fitzwater. Thank you.

The President. What was your question?

Q. The question is: Are you going to exert any leadership in trying to forestall these -- --

The President. Do you know that there are laws on the book outlining the import of AK-47's -- automatic -- --

Q. No, I didn't.

The President. Well, see, there's a fact. So, where does that lead you? You already had laws that prohibit the import of fully automated AK - 47's. That law is on the books. So, are we talking about law enforcement? Are we talking about -- --

Q. We're talking about semiautomatic AK - 47's, sir. We're talking about semiautomatic guns.

The President. What do you mean by semi?

Q. I mean no cocking, pull the trigger, the gun fires each time I pull the trigger.

The President. Look, if you're suggesting that every pistol that can do that or every rifle should be banned, I would strongly oppose that. I would strongly go after the criminals who use these guns. But I'm not about to suggest that a semi-automated hunting rifle be banned. Absolutely not. Am I opposed to AK - 47's, fully automated? Am I in favor of supporting the law that says they shouldn't come in here? Yes. But Helen, with all her experience, didn't even know it was there. Nor did I until I looked it up. [Laughter]

Q. I don't know how you -- when did you find out? I don't know how you can read the paper every day -- 13 deaths on Valentine's Day.

The President. Exactly, which concerns me enormously.

Q. What will you do -- --

The President. When you let a guy out of jail to commit a crime like this, it's outrageous. Two of these people were people that already had -- have -- help.

Q. So, you think it's okay for people to have guns?

The President. To have guns? Yes, I do. Do I think it's all right for people to have fully automatic AK - 47's? No, I think the law should be -- --

Q. Sir, the issue is the -- in Stockton, that was a semiauto. That was not a fully automatic weapon.

The President. Well, but I've answered your question on that question. I'm not about to propose a ban on service .45's or something like that.

Q. On semiautomatics -- right?

The President. No, I'm not about to do that. And I think the answer is the criminal. Do more with the criminal. Look, the States have a lot of laws on these things. Let them enforce them. It's hard, very hard, to do. But that's my position, and I'm not going to change it.

Q. Is there nothing you can do about the murder capital of the United States? As the number one resident?

The President. Well, we need the help of all the press to do something about it.

Q. When did you find out that they were banned? Today? [Laughter]

The President. Slightly before you did, put it that way -- slightly before you did.

Note: The exchange began at 2:24 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White House. Marlin Fitzwater was the President's Press Secretary. In his remarks the President referred to Patrick Purdy who, armed with a semiautomatic AK - 47, shot and killed six schoolchildren on a playground in Stockton, CA, on January 17.

Hmmm.

[Cloud William]

After nosing around a bit, I think that thread on "awbansunset.com" comes to the correct conclusion: there was most likely no actual E.O. from GHWB in 1989. Instead, the BATF began scrutinizing firearms for certain characteristics before approving import licenses, etc. That agency is evidently so authorized under the Gun Control Act of 1968.

Of course, BATF most likely did that at the President's request - keep in mind that similar actions were taken against the importing of the "Streetsweeper" shotgun during Reagan's second term. BATF's authority to makes these sort of calls does not, unfortunately, sunset. If I understand the situation correctly, even if the Assault weapons ban does evaporate in 2004, BATF can simply fall back on its old protocol and continue to screw with us. Have a look:

Semi-Auto FAQs

[ExSoldier]

"but the poor girl probably has nothing to do with the Republican Party..."

I didn't get that impression at all. In fact, although I called her a "girl" I think from her verbiage and voice timber that she is a grown woman...a staffer. She said she and her husband are both NRA members and she fully agreed with me that the Bill of Rights is no place to "play political stratego." At least that was what she said. Pardon me for my sexism. LOL

I have already made it abundantly clear to my friend, Jeb Bush how I feel in this matter and I think your suggestion to make it clear to local and state organizations is a good idea, although I think the Miami Herald letter also said so. Still it never hurts to make things up close and personal.

[ExSoldier]

"If the ban is renewed I will be looking for a new party, I will not be able to remain a republican."

You and I are in 100% complete agreement. I've been a party activist for 28 years, but I'll go elsewhere if this piece of garbage slops over the edge.

Just as the Dems take the blacks and other minorities for granted, so too, do the 'Pubbies take gun owners for granted. In order to exercise some clout...we may well have to run them out so there will be NO doubt whose play it was...and then fight a defensive war for four years to hold the line and send another Republican up who shows gunowners some real respect.

[Monty22]

There's way too many weirdo gun laws out there. For instance, the Glock 25..

The BATF needs to simply be dismantled. There's no benefit for it.

I'm not for full access to any weapon anyone wants. There should be local limits on so called 'class-3' stuff like full auto and suppressors. However, banning calibers and certain stocks and mags over 10 rounds is plain unconstitutional.

I think the current court stuff going on in CA will go to the supreme court finally. This subject needs to be like the 1st amemndment, simple. They can make certain limits, but not many.

I hope the USSC will finally come down and affirm what the 2nd plainly says. That's their job anyway.

[green team 1999]

I give up my weapon when feinstein give up her concealed weapon and permit.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Understood.

[SevenDaysInMay]

Some blackrobes rule by rewriting our Constitution, however, citizens control because we rearm, pursuant to God-given rights merely affirmed by Article II of our Bill of Rights - there for all to see.

The Democrat Politburo again will be in a police action with Christian America, their rules of engagement demonstrated by a JBT assault on a church home with nearly 150 men, women, and children near Waco, Texas in February through 19 April, 1993. That exercise of powers of the State remain burned into our memories as the Clintons' victims were burned into ash.

Hillary can't wait for the expanded Homeland Defense powers within her "living" Constitution, where the State has rights and we subjects file for permits, under penalty of law. Our Constitution will mean what the Politburo says it means, so they remain in power and that we should remain in fear.

Our Homeland Defense Amendment comes first and last. The free speech comes before and after. Free peoples thusly armed remind politicians that our Constitution means what it says limiting the powers of government, something conveniently dismissed.

Fix laws or fix bayonets.

[Remedy]

New Page 1A brief look at the history of Hillary Clinton will confirm what columnist Camille Paglia said in a recent article in Women’s Quarterly: "That woman should not be anywhere near our government . . . That woman is an authoritarian who should be kept out of government. She’s a tyrant who thinks she knows what’s best for the people. She’s Orwellian in her attitude toward the rest of humanity." One should not, and need not, judge her by her husband’s actions— she is a corrupt radical in her own right.

Nazi Death Camps - The Results of "Gun Control"