Posted on 09/22/2002 6:44:39 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP
Cornyn supports more checks at gun shows
Kirk favors enforcing existing laws rather than making new ones
09/22/2002
In the race to elect Texas' next senator, it's the moderate Democrat who says unlicensed sellers at gun shows don't need to run background checks on buyers, and the conservative Republican who says a law should be passed to give them more scrutiny.
Republican John Cornyn supports more precautions for dealers at shows, and Democrat Ron Kirk opposes them.
"I believe we need to enforce our current gun laws rather than create new ones," Mr. Kirk said.
Mr. Cornyn, the state attorney general, thinks the checks are necessary.
"They should allow it to be done without delay," he responded.
The candidates were asked their views on guns after appearances Saturday by Charlton Heston at Southfork Ranch and in Longview, where he campaigned for Mr. Cornyn.
Both candidates agree on other issues involving guns.
They both support the state law that allows cities to ban concealed weapons from being carried into parks, hospitals and other public places. A move to keep cities from banning concealed weapons on public property is expected to be a leading gun-related proposal in next year's Texas legislative session.
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The Senate candidates also both own guns, though neither has a state license to carry a concealed weapon.
Mr. Cornyn, who says he likes to hunt, has a collection of riffles, shotguns and a pistol. Mr. Kirk did not specify the type of firearm he owns.
Mr. Heston, who recently disclosed he has symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease, is president of the National Riffle Association. The legendary actor said his support of Mr. Cornyn stems from his protection of the personal freedoms enjoyed by Americans.
Mr. Cornyn said he teamed with George W. Bush in 1998, when he was governor, to develop the Texas Exile program, which he said led to more than 1,200 prosecutions for violent offenders who used guns.
But the attorney general said prosecuting criminals does not sour him on the rights of citizens to bear arms.
"I'm proud to support the second amendment rights of Texans and Americans," he said. "People like me and other law abiding citizens are not a threat to the public, so there's no real reason to try to control or otherwise limit law abiding citizens the access firearms for legitimate purposes."
Mr. Kirk has a similar stand.
"I respect the right of sportsmen and law abiding citizens to own guns and would fight to protect these rights in the U.S. Senate," he said.
Gun control advocates want federal legislation that would force unlicensed sellers at gun shows to conduct mandatory criminal background checks.
Mr. Kirk says existing laws are sufficient.
Mr. Cornyn, in contrast, says such checks are needed.
"He's strong on keeping guns out of the hands of people who are not eligible to have them," said Cornyn spokesman Dave Beckwith. "He feels the trade-off is worth it."
The right to own and carry guns was the key topic during Mr. Heston's appearance at Southfork in Parker, east of Plano. In the infamous Oil Baron's ballroom as seen in the show Dallas, Mr. Heston urged the crowd of 150 to support John Cornyn.
Looking frail as he moved slowly to the podium, he waved at the crowd, pausing once to interact with a children's choir. The crowd stood an applauded the man best known for his movie role as Moses in the Ten Commandments for several minutes.
Mr. Heston spoke for less than a minute, but his message was clear.
"John Cornyn defends freedom and the Bill of Rights," he said. "John Cornyn supports President Bush. Texas and American needs John Cornyn."
Mr. Heston ended his speech with a reference to his starring role in the 1959 epic movie Ben-Hur, a role that merited him an Oscar.
"Just remember, you've got to stay on the chariot," he said.
The film's climatic chariot race is considered one of the most riveting action scenes ever captured on film.
Mr. Cornyn said Mr. Heston's visit to the Dallas area stirred his emotions.
"We have new reasons to admire Charlton Heston and his courage," he said. "He is an example of the triumph of the human spirit," he said. "He's still vigorous. He's got a lot to offer and he has very strong principles."
Mr. Cornyn then delivered a line that brought another ovation.
"Just when I thought we couldn't top bringing the president to Texas, we brought Moses to Texas," he said.
After his visit to Southfork, which generated $30,000 for his campaign, Mr. Cornyn visited Longview.
"In East Texas, they refer to gun control as using both hands," he said.
E-mail gjeffers@dallasnews.com
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From my cold, dead hands!...... |
Excerpt:
Mr. Heston, who recently disclosed he has symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease, is president of the National Riffle Association. The legendary actor said his support of Mr. Cornyn stems from his protection of the personal freedoms enjoyed by Americans.
Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Texas ping list!. . .don't be shy.
No, you don't HAVE to be a Texan to get on this list!
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Sounds like my most recent dove hunting trips......been quite a while back.Do you have a state license to carry a concealed handgun?
Cornyn: No. But used a license to go dove hunting recently and didn't hit anything.
What is a thinking person suppose to do in the face of these things? Vote in a RINO who will be able to do more damage unchallenged than a Demoncrat? Or, split your vote and cause grid lock in D.C.? When both parties make themselves your natural enemy, gridlock does seem the safest bet. Use their hatred for each other against them.
It's a tricky proposition for sure, each voter will have to search their own logic and reason and come to a decision.
Exactly.
I know there's going to be a lot of folks that feel the same as you. This doesn't change my intention's on voting for Cornyn. Logically, Kirk would side with his good friends tommy da$$hole, hitler clintoon, Barbara Lee, Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein - ALL his buddies that are helping him raise campaign $$ OUTSIDE the state of Texas. None of them are helping Cornyn, thank goodness < /sarcasm >, lol !!
Not voting for Cornyn ensures that tommy da$$hole will control the Senate for at least another 2 years - a prospect which would ensure no conservative judges would be sent up and that clintoon's picks would continue to rule, although at a dwindling rate. It would also ensure Bush a tougher time to pass some sort of meaningful legislation without it getting hung up in da$$holes dust bin.
I know, I know - I'm probably preaching to the choir here!....
Indulge me while I finish my rant on tommy.....
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The fact is that leftist senile old SOB should have been thrown OUT of the NRA,not elected as president.
I don't know anything about Ron Kirk,but if you take his name out and replace it with Charleton Heston,you have a 100% accurate statement.
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