Hastert: No Decision Yet on U.S. Assault Gun Ban

Reuters ^ | 5/15/03 | unknown

[joesnuffy]

Hastert: No Decision Yet on U.S. Assault Gun Ban 2 hours, 31 minutes ago

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert said on Thursday no decision had been made on whether the House will let a politically sensitive 1994 ban on assault weapons expire next year.

 

The second-ranking Republican in the House, Majority Leader Tom DeLay, had earlier this week predicted the ban would be allowed to lapse, drawing fire from Democrats and posing a dilemma to President Bush (news - web sites) -- who promised to back an extension despite generally opposing tighter gun laws.

"That bill hasn't been discussed by the leadership yet and I haven't had a discussion with the president yet, so I'm not ready to make that decision," Hastert, an Illinois Republican, told reporters.

The ban, approved during the Clinton administration, applies to military-style, semi-automatic assault weapons like the Uzi and the AK-47 that have high ammunition capacity and are capable of rapid fire.

DeLay, a staunch opponent of gun control measures, on Tuesday predicted the House would not renew the bill. "The votes in the House are not there to reauthorize it," he said.

But Hastert said he had talked to the DeLay since and the comment had not been meant to indicate that a policy decision had been made by Republican leaders.

A group of mostly Democratic senators last week opened a drive to get the extension passed in the Senate and are pressuring Bush to help -- particularly in the House, where pro-gun sentiments are strong.

Bush pledged to support renewal of the assault weapon ban during his 2000 presidential campaign. But he has made no recent public statements or appearances about the issue.

"The president's position is clear," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer (news - web sites) said on Wednesday. "If Congress passes it, he will sign it."

[dirtboy]

Hastert's got his moistened finger up in the air. Let's provide some wind for him to notice...

[stevio]

I just heard this on news. Are we witnessing "The flip-flop"? Weak bastards.

[ilgipper]

yep. bump & picking up the phone.

[Joe Brower]

[trebb]

No flip-flop, the Prez has maintained he would sign it, with the full knowledge that many in Congress will be risking their jobs if they send it up to him. That's why Schumer (good ole Chucky-boy) has started howling that if the Prez really wanted it, he would ask Congress to send it to him. Chucky knows that too many Dims (and Reps too) are afraid of what it would do to their reelection chances.

[from occupied ga]

Nice picture, but when the one on the right doesn't work?

[TLBSHOW]

what part of the constitution does Bush not understand? Let alone that he keeps advancing the clinton democrats agenda with issues at home. If we wanted a demonrat we would of elected one.

[stevio]

I remember Bush saying he supported the ban pre-election, but that mean he needs to twist congress' arm.

[mabelkitty]

This is in response to Schumer trying to make the President try to make the House bring it up.

The tool doesn't like seperation of powers.

[Joe Brower]

Well, when the keyboard fails, you can always hit 'em over the head with it. $;-)

[dandelion]

I believe he is asking for feedback! Let's give it to them...

[Joe Hadenuf]

What a sick little game this SOBs are playing with our Constitution and our rights...

Spit.

[Redbob]

You better think about this one long and hard, Tommy boy, or you'll find gunowners everywhere staying home from next years' elections!

We voted your opponents out, but we are NOT wed to the GOP, Mr. Politician-man, and we can do the same to you!

[backhoe]

Cross-link:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/911200/posts
The RKBA War-- 2 weeks of links ( AWB and more )
various FR links | 05-14-03 | The Heavy Equipment Guy

[talleyman]

How about this response? "We'll be happy to consider that - after all the judicial nominees are voted on."

[Redcloak]

A number of people have tried to minimize Bush's statements about signing the ban. They've all said "It doesn't matter; it will never reach his desk." I just don't get the warm-n-fuzzies at the idea of counting on courage from the GOP in Congress. I'd rather see my rights protected by something a little less flimsy than their resolve.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Hastert's got his moistened finger up in the air. Let's provide some wind for him to notice...

That ain't it. If he says "We are going to let it die" he gives the DEMONcRATS something to shriek about from now to the election. It is not necessary for him to say anything to just let it die. He just keeps saying "We haven't discussed it yet" until the session is over.

You have to decide which is more important to you: sunsetting AWB or getting Presidents, Senators and Congressmen to say words you want to hear.

[dirtboy]

You have to decide which is more important to you: sunsetting AWB or getting Presidents, Senators and Congressmen to say words you want to hear.

I think we need to send some, er, encouragement to any potential wafflers in the RINO ranks so they don't succumb to Dem pressure, so IMO we need both. I don't care what Hastert says as much as I care what a few Northeast pubbies actually DO.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I don't care what Hastert says as much as I care what a few Northeast pubbies actually DO.

Every congressman knows the Republican tsunami of 1994 was a direct result of passage of the AWB. They are not going to make the same mistake twice.