Bush Opposes Gun 'Fingerprinting'

Las Vegas Sun/AP ^ | October 15, 2002 | SANDRA SOBIERAJ

[mondonico]

WASHINGTON- President Bush does not support the push for firearms "fingerprinting" that has grown from the unsolved Washington-area sniper shootings, because he is not sure of its accuracy, a spokesman said Tuesday.

Besides, added White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, when it comes to new gun controls generally, "how many laws can we really have to stop crime, if people are determined in their heart to violate them no matter how many there are or what they say?"

A sniper has struck in the Washington area 11 times in the past 13 days, killing nine people and seriously wounding two others at random. The rifle attacks have revived interest in a national system for "fingerprinting" guns - requiring gun makers to file into a law-enforcement database the distinct markings that each gun leaves on a test-fired bullet casing. Police could then possibly use the recorded etchings to trace crime-scene slugs to the gun that fired them.

New York and Maryland are the only two states that currently require such ballistics data to be kept on all handguns made and sold in those states.

Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., and Rep. Robert Andrews, D-N.J., are among those in Congress trying to pass legislation creating a national system. The National Rifle Association and other gun-rights lobbyists oppose such a system, fearing it is one step down the path to a national database of gun owners.

Bush, too, is resistant as long as he has questions about the accuracy of "fingerprinting," said Fleischer.

"There are some issues that are raised with this that deal with the accuracy of the ballistic fingerprinting that need to be explored and reviewed before any final determination can be made," Fleischer said in response to three days of questions from reporters.

As for the sniper at large, "Obviously this person is a murderer and is not deterred by law" and has has shown "callous cruelty for existing law," Fleischer said.

"The president believes very much in enforcing the law."

[dd5339]

OOORRAAAHH for PRESIDENT BUSH Ping!

Semper Fi

[CFW]

...."how many laws can we really have to stop crime, if people are determined in their heart to violate them no matter how many there are or what they say?"

Common sense alert BUMP

[Callahan]

I wonder how long it will take Lil' Tom and the rest of the Rats to start with the anti-gun hysterics?

[Khepera]

If he is so into supporting the law then why are they not striking down all those unlawful gun control laws? Why aren't several members of congress prosecuted for passing unconstitutional laws in violation of their oath to uphold the constitution?

I'm not bashing him I voted for him. These are honest questions.

[Joe Brower]

[RAT Patrol]

That's like actually fingerprinting all fingers--in case they are used in a crime someday. Only, worse, because it will selectively target law-abiding citizens. If my gun is stolen and used in a crime who does it help to trace the gun back to me? hmmm? If I am a criminal I just acquire my gun in an unconventional, criminal way. So you trace the gun back to someone and they become a suspect. Pretty cool if you're a criminal.

[da_toolman]

Ping

[spunkets]

and the rest of the Rats..."Sarah brady was on the stump this morning for Connie(R) Morrella between news briefings on beltway radio. NRA graded her with an F-.

[mondonico]

I wonder how long it will take Lil' Tom and the rest of the Rats to start with the anti-gun hysterics?

Maybe a Virginia CCW-license holder will spot and bag the sniper when he's setting up his next shot. That would do a lot to shut down Dem attempts to exploit the current crisis.

/wishful thinking

[dd5339]

Actually it's pretty simple to see. As much as we would all like to toss out the gun laws, (all the way back to '34) we realize that it has to be one small step at a time. Just stopping the flow of feel good gun laws is a step in the right direction.

We can continue to make progress toward the ultimate goal of removing all unconstitutional laws if we continue to support electable candidates who will work with us toward that goal. We just have to be patient.

Semper Fi

[B4Ranch]

"The president believes very much in enforcing the law."

Hello, do you know about the illegal immigration problem?

[Man of the Right]

Good for you, Mr. President.

[Scholastic]

give it 2 weeks.

[mondonico]

Hello, do you know about the illegal immigration problem?

Good question (and I'm a 'Bot!)

[dd5339]

Why yes, I do know about the illegal immigration problem.

My comments were specific to gun control. I don't see the connection.

Semper Fi

[mondonico]

My comments were specific to gun control. I don't see the connection.

I interpreted the question about immigration as being directed to the President, in response to Ari Fleischer's comment about Bush being interested in enforcing the law.

[bloodmeridian]

Besides, added White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, when it comes to new gun controls generally, "how many laws can we really have to stop crime, if people are determined in their heart to violate them no matter how many there are or what they say?"

Gee, Ari. I've asked Democrats the same question, and have been told, "then you're children will turn out to be murderers." Go figure.

[Redcloak]

New York and Maryland are the only two states that currently require such ballistics data to be kept on all handguns made and sold in those states.

Does anyone know if this "data" has been used to solve a crime in either state?

[Callahan]

How do Freepers respond to the Rats who bleat "We register our cars, why not guns?" That's the argument I get whenever this topic comes up in casual conversation with the average apolitical Joe.