Posted on 05/14/2003 2:32:06 PM PDT by Godebert
By JIM ABRAMS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON (AP) -
President Bush should take the lead in overcoming resistance within his own party to extending an assault weapons ban due to expire next year, Democrats said Wednesday.
"If the bill dies we will lay it at the president's doorstep," Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said a day after House Majority Leader Tom DeLay told reporters that the 1994 law banning the manufacture of 19 types of common military-style assault weapons would not be renewed.
Schumer said the gun bill would be an issue in the 2004 election, a development that could pose problems for Democrats who represent districts with strong gun rights sentiment. The assault ban vote was also a campaign topic in 1994, the year Republicans recaptured the House after spending 40 years in the minority.
Bush, taking a position at odds with the National Rifle Association, has voiced support for extending the ban, and White House spokesman Ari Fleischer on Wednesday said that support would carry weight in Congress.
"This is a matter that the House has to work out, of course, by listening to the will of its members, but the president's position is clear on it," Fleischer said. "When the president states his position like that, it helps get the message to the Congress."
Fleischer would not say whether Bush would pressure DeLay to bring such a bill up for a vote. DeLay, R-Texas, on Tuesday indicated that there would be no effort to renew the current law before it expires on Sept. 13, 2004. "The votes in the House are not there to reauthorize it," he said.
"The real question is will the president weigh in and ask the leaders to schedule a vote," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., who as a senior adviser to President Clinton played a key role in guiding the 1994 legislation through Congress.
(Excerpt) Read more at lasvegassun.com ...
Did you put your flame suit on before you typed that?
It doesn't matter; the Democrats are crying because the extension doesn't seem likely to pass, even though the President says he supports it.
So you think the AG can ban any gun he wants to because it's not considered adequate for "sporting purposes".
Cause guess what, that's in the new bill.
Like he has a choice.
'bot: I support the president; but I'm kinda against this ban....even if it has a feel-good title.
He said he would support the renewal of the current legislation. You can bet that if any legislation does make it through Congress, it will be more restrictive. Bush can then look at it and say: this is not what I agreed to.
Ya...I know, you heard it on some TV show.
BTW, was that quote of YOURS about the Constitution Party sourced AND a direct quote?
That wasn't a quote at all, that was merely me getting confused with numbers and later immediately admitting my mistake when it was brought to my attention by Dane. Hardly the same thing as you making up quotes attributed to the NRA president.
Don't be asking ME for something YOU did't provide until called on it.
I know you'll never be able to provide a direct quote. It reminds me of the time when you talked about all of your NRA friends who agreed with the Clinton Assault Weapons Ban. You can deny that if you want.....but I'm certain I can find the thread where you said it.
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