Posted on 10/10/2002 7:25:04 AM PDT by 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
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 !!
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.
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.
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?
Stay safe; stay armed.
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?
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.
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.
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