The Evidence Is Clear: President Bush Is Blocking Assault Weapons Renewal, Says Brady Campaign

U.S. Newswire ^ | 7/22/2004

[Mr. Mojo]

WASHINGTON, July 22 /U.S. Newswire/ -- There are only six days left when Congress is in session before the expiration of the Assault Weapons Ban -- a law that President Bush pledged he'd renew as a candidate for President in 2000. "It makes no sense for assault weapons to be around our society," he said then. And another Republican leader made statements this week indicating the President can get a vote by simply asking for one.

"President Bush is blocking a vote on the Assault Weapons Ban," said Michael Barnes, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united with the Million Mom March.

Here's a brief review of published comments since May. First, on May 12, The Hill newspaper wrote "an aide to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) has said privately that if Bush pushes for it, the ban will probably be reauthorized. But if he doesn't, the chances of legislation's passing this year are remote."

Then, on June 24, the Boston Globe reported "Ken Lisaius, a White House spokesman, said Bush still supports the ban, but is waiting for the House to act."

Then, on July 11, the Washington Post reported the House Majority Leader Tom Delay said "we stated our position before the White House had to ask us... (the White House) knew not to (ask,) because the votes are not there."

Now, following a news conference held by Representatives Michael Castle (R-DE) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), Delay told the daily newsletter Congressional Quarterly "there's no reason to use floor time for a vote just to have a vote on this particular subject," he said. "And unless directed otherwise, I see no reason to bring it to the floor."

The Assault Weapons Ban has enormous public support across the nation. A poll released last week by Penn, Schoen & Berland showed 66 percent of Republicans, 75 percent of Democrats and 79 percent of independents supported renewal.

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united with the Million Mom March is planning a growing effort to save the law, with television and print advertising, phone banks, grassroots lobbying efforts across the nation throughout August, culminating in the first week in September.

[Southack]

Arming pilots was already the first gun control repeal in federal history - Southack

"Actually the Firearms Owners Protection Act of 1986 would be a better cannidate for that description. It repealed some of the more useless provisions of the 1968 Gun Control Act."

No, GOPA '86 repealed the laws that required retailers to track ammo sales, as well as provided an exemption from state and local prosecution to anyone transporting a firearm between two legal areas from prosecution if they merely passed through a zone that had a firearms ban.

Neither of those things repealed any *gun* control laws that were already on the books. One repealed ammo paperwork, the other left all existing state and local gun bans on the books. Worse, GOPA '86 banned civilians from buying new machine guns; hardly a repeal of gun control.

So the first repeal of a federal *firearms* ban was when President Bush signed the two arming pilots bills into law.

5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires

[Southack]

"If Bush, or more properly Mineta and Ridge, were so frustracted, they didn't need another law to speed implementation of the first. They, including Bush, just needed to kick some bureacratic butt..."

Loy, the former Coast Guard commandant, was named to replace Transportation Security Administration chief John Magaw, whom Secretary Norm Mineta fired last week for failing to implement Bush's law arming pilots

5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires

[Maigrey]

Uh... he said if it came to his desk, he'd sign it. He never said he would push it through congress. D'uh!

[treadstone71]

Not to get too Clintonian, but even if a renewal bill does get to his desk, he will be able to veto it, while keeping to his original statement.

I believe the only AWB he would sign would be one which renews the current laws as they are, unchanged. Every renewal bill I am aware of has not simply renewed or made permanent the current law, but has significantly extended the ban.

Really, the Dems are in a bit of a bind. If the AWB has had no effect on gun violence, there is no reason for a renewal. If it has had an effect, most crime levels have been falling since '94, so there is no need for a stricter law.

Of course, they will fall back on the old "If it saves just one" argument, but if they want to be taken seriously with that, I eagerly await their swimming pool ban.

[TASMANIANRED]

Congress fails to act and Bush is to blame.

These liberal placenta suckers beat all.

[fso301]

Bush killing the ban would be sufficient reason to take leave from ones job and serve tirelessly as a Bush campaign worker.

[EGPWS]

"It makes no sense for assault weapons to be around our society,"

However it makes complete sense to make sure they are not a part of society legally?

I'm sure that if they are not allowed as a part of society that they will cease to exist.

Criminals will abide by law and divest themselves of such illegal possessions I'm sure.