Sarah Brady Demands the Law-Abiding Be Punished for Maryland Shootings

The Brady Bunch ^ | 10/10/02 | Sarah Bunch

[pabianice]

Statement by Sarah Brady on the Sniper Shootings

Today, Sarah Brady, Chair of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united with the Million Mom March, issued the following statement about the sniper shootings in suburban Maryland and the greater Washington, D.C. area:

"On behalf of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united with the Million Mom March, I want to express our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims of these senseless shootings. Gun violence is always devastating to a community, but it is even more horrifying when such violence strikes for no conceivable reason other than to terrorize.

"As police try to track down and stop this killer, we do know this: sensible gun laws can help law enforcement solve crimes as well as prevent gun violence. The unique markings, called the 'ballistic fingerprint,' that every gun leaves on a fired bullet or shell casing have always been helpful in investigating shootings. We have already seen the usefulness of ballistic tests in definitively linking six of the eight shootings to the same firearm.

"We have also seen the limitations to ballistic fingerprinting laws in their current form. Only two states -- Maryland and New York -- require a record be kept of every new gun's ballistic fingerprint. Both states' laws are relatively new and apply only to handguns, not all long guns, which the weapon in this case almost surely is. These limitations speak to a need for a national ballistics fingerprinting law for all firearms. Doesn't it make sense for us to give law enforcement the tools they need in order to solve such crimes?

"Furthermore, according to police, the shooter could be using one of four possible firearms to carry out this shooting spree. Three of the four are assault rifles. It's important to remember that the federal assault weapons ban expires in September 2004. We do not want to put more military-style weapons capable of such devastation and worse back on our streets.

"The National Rifle Association, which claims to be on the side of law enforcement, fought the assault weapons ban and it fights ballistic fingerprinting laws. Instead of supporting measures that would help police solve crimes and prevent gun violence, it promotes the dangerous notion that 'an armed society is a polite society.' Sadly, far too many Americans every year pay the consequences of the NRA's 'polite society' with their lives."

Please click here and make a generous donation today to prevent more tragedies like these. Together we can create an America free from gun violence, where ALL are safe at home, at school, at work, and in their communities.

Please pass this message along to friends, family members, and colleagues so that they too can take a stand for sensible gun laws.

"Thumbs up to all of you for your generous support! Together, we will build a safer America." - Jim "The BEAR" Brady

October 9, 2002 http://www.bradycampaign.org http://www.bradycenter.org http://www.millionmommarch.org

[Atlas Sneezed]

"We have already seen the usefulness of ballistic tests in definitively linking six of the eight shootings to the same firearm."

WRONG. The fragment were linked to EACH OTHER. No firearm has been found to be linked to the bullets.

If Maryland-style ballistic fingerprinting of handguns is so darn great, why has it failed to help solve even one crime in the years the program has been in place?

[FreedomFriend]

I've heard that the sniper is most likely a government operative with the purpose of pushing forth gun control legislation, as well as disarming the populace.

[blackie]

The Second Amendment...
America's Original Homeland Security !!

Stop the attacks on our God given Rights by the extreme wacko left-wing anti-gun-nazis' !!

The Right Of The People To Keep And Bear Arms Shall Not Be Infringed !!

An Armed Citizen, Is A Safe Citizen !!

Guns Save Lives !!

No Guns, No Rights !!

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

Molon Labe !!

FMCDH !!

[humblegunner]

EEEvil assault weapon ping.

[99tango]

Rights of Stone (1995, 1stbooks.com) - novel re: conspiracy within government to foment gun related crime to create a public outcry leading to the repeal of the 2nd amendment.

Legacy of Gun Control - visit this site for provocative short message.

http://www.cphv.com/fl_legacy.htm

[epow]

Yep, I think Sarah is right. A few more gun laws is exactly what MD needs. If they would just pass a law prohibiting criminals from committing a crime with an illegal gun, I think that would solve the problem. A psycho planning a mass murder spree certainly wouldn't want to risk breaking the law by doing it with an illegal gun would he?

[Dead Corpse]

Dear Sarah,

This,

is my rifle. It has killed no one. The with the grace of the Gods, it never will need to be put to such a purpose.

However, if my life, or that of those I love, were in danger... would you really deny me the tools to save those lives from those who would seek to destroy it? The blood of the innocent is on your hands.

I will not commit suicide for you, nor for anyone else. I will not allow myself to be murdered just to ease your twisted conscience. I will not put the safety of my loved ones in some strangers hands who, more than likely, will not be there when they are really needed.

Why would you see us suffer Sarah? For some ephemeral politcal goal of utopian bliss that is completely unattainable?

Your husband may have at one time been a hero. You are little more than the worst of those I would deem craven cowards.

[Joe Brower]

Re: Your post #38. This was written several years ago by the estimable Brian Puckett of Citizens of America.

[MrB]

fragment were linked to EACH OTHER. No firearm has been found to be linked to the bullets

I was wondering about SB's logic in that regard. Well, I know she doesn't think logically, but it might be comical to find out how she tries to justify this.

How would you link the bullet to the gun if the gun or even the (replacement) barrel were manufactured before the "fingerprint" requirement or outside of the US.

With proper care, guns last forever.

[Redbob]

My theory is that the sniper is Sarah Brady's son, using the deer rifle she bought him recently...

[Redbob]

Yeah, you're on lots of lists, alright, but only ONE list will bring the jackbooted stormtroopers of the BATF to your door in the dead of night:

The list that identifies you as a gunowner.

It's up to you to stay off that list.
BTW, current estimates from Maryland are that the cost of "fingerprinting" new firearms is running about $5000 per test.
Such a deal, eh?

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

If stolen and used in a crime, you will be held accountable...

This can vary from state-to-state, and is often based on surrounding circumstances. I only know this because when I purchased my Taurus, that issue was one I specifically asked about.

[Eaker]

Further, what is to stop a criminal from collecting some range brass and leaving a single casing at each crime scene? Innocent people who did nothing more than shoot at the range will be cuffed and stuffed and possibly killed because SWAT would go in guns-a-blazing!!!

Stay safe; stay armed.

[humblegunner]

Now I understand, at last, the "Do not pick up range brass"
signs we see there.. not that it's enforced, mind you...

[TC Rider]

Further, what is to stop a criminal from collecting some range brass and leaving a single casing at each crime scene? Innocent people who did nothing more than shoot at the range will be cuffed and stuffed and possibly killed because SWAT would go in guns-a-blazing!!!

Making me even gladder that this is bogus science at best.

Were there no forensic scientist that stepped forward to testify against this in the Maryland legislature?

Who thought this was a good idea in the first place?

[FreedominJesusChrist]

Most likely this person has had extensive military training and is using some type of high-powered scope. I personally think he is coming into Maryland through Northern Virginia, via I-95. He is most likely in his late 20's to 30's.

I think we will also see him getting sloppier with his work, as this is no longer a regular thrill, but an obsession for him.

[FreedominJesusChrist]

I wish that the FBI would release their profile of this person; I am very interested to see what they have come up with so far. I suppose that it would be somewhat difficult to attempt to rationalize extremely deviant behavior such as this. One would think that the perpetrator of these crimes had military training as a sniper or perhaps was in the military and wanted to become one, but for some reason, could not. I have no knowledge of how much psychological testing the military does for certain positions, but perhaps this person was not promoted in the fashion he wanted because he failed the psychological tests required to be in these desired positions. I think it is plausible that perhaps this person became frustrated with his career or felt that private citizens did not respect his career choice and dedication.

If it is found that the perpetrator of these crimes did have a military or policing background, it would be very ironic that this person took their frustration out on the very people they had sworn to protect and defend. Indeed, the total randomness of the victims reflects many different demographics that can be found in America. Some of the victims were old, some were middle aged, and one was a child. The victims were also of various ethnicities.

It will be interesting indeed to see the profile that the FBI has completed on this person.

[HP8753]

When your gun is fingerprinted...So are you.....It is called Firearms registration,and it is the 1st step in the road to CONFISCATION. Witness England,Canada,Austrailia.Hitler's Germany,Mao's China,Pol Pot's Cambodia,Stalin's Russia. The BS about fingerprinting a gun is BS. Barrels can be changed,Chambers can wear.The whole SCAM is nothing more than an attempt At REGISTRATION.

[FreedominJesusChrist]

That is why I joined the NRA. I do not own a gun at this point in my life, but I fully support their agenda.