Assault Weapons Ban Battle Heats Up; With 200 Days Left, Advocates Kick off Fight to Save Ban

releases.usnewswire.com ^

[chance33_98]

Assault Weapons Ban Battle Heats Up; With 200 Days Left, Gun Safety Advocates Kick off Fight to Save Ban; McCarthy Available for Interviews

2/23/04 10:40:00 AM

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To: National and Assignment Desks

Contact: Scott Rowson of the office of Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, 202-225-5516, 703-505-1613 (cell), scott.rowson@mail.house.gov

MINEOLA, N.Y., Feb. 23 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Standing near the site of one of the most shocking incidents of gun violence in American history, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) today kicked off a national campaign to improve and renew the federal Assault Weapons Ban, which expires on Sept. 13. McCarthy pledged an "all-out fight" to renew the law.

"I was elected to Congress to do one thing: reduce gun violence in this country. Since the mid-1990's we've made great strides, but some in Congress seem to want to go backwards on this critical issue of public safety. If we don't act soon, AK-47s and UZIs will once again be available to cop-killing criminals and terrorists," McCarthy said.

"I can't believe that with 31 Americans being murdered with guns every day we would put assault weapons back on the streets. So many families have been torn apart by these weapons of war. Our police officers, routinely outgunned ten years ago, will suffer the consequences of inaction. This will be an all out fight to renew the assault weapons ban," McCarthy added.

Bolstered by widespread public support and police groups around the country, the federal Assault Weapons Ban went into effect in 1994, banning dozens of military-style assault weapons. A study by the U.S. Department of Justice found the Assault Weapons Ban contributed to "a decrease in criminal use of the banned weapons," fewer killings of police officers by the guns, and a reduction in overall homicides.

Rep. McCarthy was joined by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who helped write the original Assault Weapons Ban while serving in the House of Representatives. "I hope the President will put the power of his office behind this legislation and that we'll be standing in the Rose Garden next September watching him sign the bill renewing the ban before it expires," Schumer said.

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Background:

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy's husband was killed and son injured in the Long Island Rail Road shooting of 1993. She ran for and was elected to Congress in 1996 after her Representative voted to repeal the ban on assault weapons.

[Monty22]

Such ridiculous hysteria..

But, can we stop these guys?

[Blood of Tyrants]

In Georgia, one of the anti-gun Rats introduced legislation to outlaw AW's. I particularly like this line:

(B) Unless the person is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm, immediately register the assault weapon with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation

where they are being careful not to step on the rights of felons by making sure that ONLY LAW ABIDING CITIZENS ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER THEIR ASSAULT WEAPONS.

[joesnuffy]

"I can't believe that with 31 Americans being murdered with guns every day we would put assault weapons back on the streets. So many families have been torn apart by these weapons of war. Our police officers, routinely outgunned ten years ago, will suffer the consequences of inaction. This will be an all out fight to renew the assault weapons ban," McCarthy added.

Yes of course...and never mind how many lives are saved...by those homeowners who have guns or how many crimes stopped because potential perps are scared into inactivity...

Never mind that in England for example...violent crime is rampant...more so than any past years as is the case in every nation that has outlawed private gun ownership... BTW in those 31 Americans killed by guns....how many were killed by "Assault" style rifles... (These are not assault rifles per se ...but only semi automatic 'look alikes' that are in-accuratelybeing called assault rifles)

[Rocky Mountain High]

It's a tough fight. So much emotions, misconception and spin is involved.
As we both know, AK-47's are almost impossible to find. AK variants are widely available in semi-automatic but hardley ever used in crimes. Uzi's are almost completely gone due to import restrictions. (I would love to know the last time a true AK-47 or Uzi was used in a crime.)
Ironically, this woman's family members were shot with handguns. No doubt, she has been trying to "do something" ever since. It's too bad she couldn't focus her energy on something that might actually work.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Remember that bank shootout in CA a few years ago where the robbers had body armor and the cops' pistol bullets just bounced off them? Those guys had full auto AK-47's but by God's grace, didn't kill anyone.

[El Gato]

"I was elected to Congress to do one thing: reduce gun violence in this country."

That might be true, but banning ugly black guns with flash suppressors, bayonet lugs and normal capacity magazines has not done that, and could not really be expected to. Renewing the ban won't do it either.

In fact there is much evidence, from England and elsewhere, that it could do the opposite. The reason an incrase in violent crime didn't happen here is the increase in legal concealed carry over the same period since the ban was put into effect. That is known and proven to reduce violance, with or without guns, as well as anything sociological can be proven. That and the fact that the ban was completely cosmetic, except for the regular capacity magazine ban, whose main effect was to drive up the prices of some really bad magazines.

[appeal2]

Any effort to extend this ineffective--by the governments own admission--fraud does not have a prayer. Tom Delay has already stated that its not going to be voted upon.

[steve50]

But, can we stop these guys?

I doubt it. The rumor is it will be attached to a bill that stops lawsuits against gun manufactures to allow the RINO's to pass it and claim victory. If the republicans can't stand up this time around with control of all branches, they are completely useless.

[Little Ray]

You left out the </sarcasm>.

[AreaMan]

If the republicans can't stand up this time around with control of all branches, they are completely useless.

This is why reform within our own party is critical. The RINO's will continue act like Democrats-Lite unless they are held accountable by us.

If the choice is between a so-so Republican and a more conservative Republican in the primaries this year we HAVE TO support the more conservative one. If we continue to re-elect the same ol' crowd we will get the same ol' results.

For example, David Dreier (incumbant Liberal Republican) is being challenged by Sonny Sardo in Southern California.

If we want a conservative, Dreier must go.

[steve50]

I agree. I'd go so far as to vote 3rd party before supporting a RINO who allows this. The odds of losing the House are nil, and it should send the proper message to the rest.

[Jack Black]

Any R who votes for this abomination should face well financed primary challenges. Ask Arlen Spector how much he is liking runing agaist Toomey. Toomey has a lot of cash behind him from "The Club for Growth", who are targeting Spector because of his miserable record on taxes.

The RKBA lobby needs to get a strategy like this, to punish moderates in primaries. Only then will RINOs live in fear and our rights will be a little safer.

[from occupied ga]

. If we don't act soon, AK-47s and UZIs will once again be available to cop-killing criminals and terrorists," McCarthy said.

One more reason why the people of NY suck. They elected this bozo. (Along with Hitlery, upChuckie, Nadler, etc.) McCarthy isn't an electoral accident. She represents the views of the freedom fearing neo national socialists in her electorate.

[Texas Federalist]

Remember that bank shootout in CA a few years ago where the robbers had body armor and the cops' pistol bullets just bounced off them? Those guys had full auto AK-47's but by God's grace, didn't kill anyone.

Full auto AK's are not part of the assault weapons ban. They are covered by the statute passed in 1933 regulating machine guns.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I know, but the question was asked about when the last time a REAL AK-47 was used in a crime, not just a LEGAL AK-47.

[stevio]

I'd go so far as to vote 3rd party before supporting a RINO who allows this.

The RINOs have caved to so much, this is the last straw. There is no reason to keep them in power if they back down on this incremental gun ban.

[Duke809]

Just a opinion, nothing more.

The do-gooders, libs and Dems could care less about gun crime. They could care less about inner-city youth gunning each other down and could care less about school shootings, drive-by's and all that nonsense. Matter of fact, it makes their jobs much easier. I believe that they do not want it to stop, as crass as that may sound.

What they care about is disarming the populace. Because the real Civil War is around the corner. And it is going to make the Union-Confederate Tariff War of 1861-1865 look like a Sunday brunch. And they can't win that war, unless we, the hapless slobs that make up this country, are disarmed. And us hapless slobs are black, white, Asian, Hispanic, etc. Hitler knew it, Stalin knew it, and every other despot knows it. So do the Dems, Libs and other do-gooders. Only the "enlightened" will have arms. Not us. So the permanent AWB is just the first step in getting a bolt-action 308 banned, a Ruger 10/22, a AR style rifle, ad infinitum. All banned for the "common good" and to "protect" the children. They are not interested in protecting the children, they are intersted in protecting themselves and their power

If the AWB makes the goal feasible or to quote Adolf H, "The ends justify the means" then that's what they will do. It's about a disarmed populace.

I saw Sarah Brady on something the other day, yakking and ranting about guns. But the interviewer never questioned her about buying her son a 308 (or was it a 30-06?). We all know she bought it for him so he could "hunt". Right. And Al Goreleone invented the internet, and Love Story was about him and Hipper. Sarah should have just said, "My family can have weapons, but you ignorant peons can't"

One thing that no one is going to like and flame away. But read The Turner Diaries. Where Pierce writes, blacks, Jews, yadda,yadda, yadda, subsitute Dems, Libs and Do-Gooders. Where he mentions Whites, subsitute that with Conservatives. Then you will see that the book actually makes some sense. That's just my $0.02.

As for the Turner Diaries. Thank the media for that. If they didn't make such a big deal about it during the McVeigh trial, I would have never heard of it.

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

[Sender]

"If we don't act soon, bayonet lugs and cute little muzzle thingys will once again be available to cop-killing criminals and terrorists," McCarthy said.

[Little Ray]

Sorry. The Second (and Real) Civil War has been canceled. Too many folks would their favorite TV shows.

[Rocky Mountain High]

This is probably splitting hairs, but I'd bet a cold beer that they weren't actual AK-47's. They were probably AKM, AK-74, or Type 56 variations.
But hey, what do I know? Regardless, the cops brought 9mm's to a rifle fight.

[Ichneumon]

Full auto AK's are not part of the assault weapons ban. They are covered by the statute passed in 1933 regulating machine guns.

Correct, except that it was 1934 (signed into law on June 26).

[El Gato]

Tom Delay has already stated that its not going to be voted upon.

I'm sick to death of hearing that. Delay can control wether a bill gets voted on, in the sense wether or not it gets put on the calender. He cannot control amendments offered after the bill comes out of committee or get put on the Senate. The ban extension will not come, if it comes at all, as a stand alone bill. It will come as a amendment to some other bill, most likely one from the Senate, or like the frivolous lawsuit protection bill, as an amendment added in the Senate to a bill already passed in the House.

[Monty22]

I've written to my critters, and I hope everyone else will too. We have to do whatever we can on this one.

[El Gato]

Any R who votes for this abomination should face well financed primary challenges.

The primaries will be over by the time this turkey passes, if it does. We'll have to wait 2,4, or 6 years to present the "lesson", and by then the law will have been permanent for a bit over 1,3, or 5 years. The chances of getting it repealed will be slim to none, and the Supreme Court will once again deny cert to any challenge to the law.

[DMZFrank]

Gun grabbers are increasingly trying to separate the right to keep and bear arms from its constitutional underpinnings. To everyone but many liberals and gun grabbers the word militia implies a body organized for military use. The Supreme Court Miller decision of 1939 held that the militia was 'A body of citizens enrolled for military discipline.' And further that ordinarily when called for service these men were expected to appear bearing arms supplied by themselves and of the kind in common use at the time."

To begin with, only the national government was represented at the trial. With nobody arguing to the contrary, the court followed standard court procedure and assumed that the law was constitutional until proven otherwise. If both sides were present, the outcome may have been much different.

However, since only one party showed up, the case will stand in the court records as is. As to the militia, Mr. Justice McReynolds related the beliefs of the Founding Fathers when commenting historically about the Second Amendment. He stated that, ". . .The common view was that adequate defense of country and laws could be secured through the militia- civilians primarily, soldiers on occasion.

"The significance attributed to the term Militia appears from the debates in the Convention, the history and legislation of Colonies and States, and the writings of approved commentators. These show plainly enough that the Militia comprised all males physically capable of acting in concert for the common defense.

It is clear that the firearms that are most suited for modern-day militia use are those semi automatic military pattern weapons that the yellow press calls "assault weapons". Since nations such as the Swiss trust their citizenry with true selective fire assault rifles, it seems to me that this country ought to be at least able to trust its law-abiding citizenry with the semi automatic version.

Self-defense is a vital corollary benefit of the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. But its primary constitutional reason for being is for service in the well-regulated militia which is necessary to the security of a free state. Don't let the gun grabbers and their politician allies separate us from the constitutional reason for the right to keep and bear arms.

PostScript: In the vernacular of the founders well-regulated meant well drilled and organized.

[Darnright]

Heads up, people!!! Do me and this country a favor, and help me get this word out, ASAP!! Here's an email I got from a Virginia 2nd amendment lobby group: When I said urgent in my previous message on the "assault weapon ban" I meant it. Today, Wednesday, the Senate is planning on taking up the gun manufacturer's protection bill that is the target of Feinstein's/Warner's assault weapon ban amendment! If you have not contacted Senators Warner and Allen yet, you must do so NOW. There is no time to waste! Tell them that any assault weapon ban bill or any assault weapon ban amendment to another bill is to be opposed! Here is their contact information again: Senator John Warner, 202-224-2023, web form: Senator George Allen, 202-224-4024, web form: __ Here in Virginia several gun bills are going to be heard in the Senate Courts of Justice committee starting at 2 PM today (Wednesday). I plan on being there to speak on them. Keep your emails on good bills coming to this committee. I will advise what happens tomorrow night. I should also have news on the gun manufacturer's protection bill and any AWB amendments in Congress. Cross your fingers - lot's of important things going on today!

[Monty22]

Here we go baby! Let's make sure this does NOT pass!!!!!

[Darnright]

Sorry for the lack of formatting. Let me try again: When I said urgent in my previous message on the "assault weapon ban" I meant it. Today, Wednesday, the Senate is planning on taking up the gun manufacturer's protection bill that is the target of Feinstein's/Warner's assault weapon ban amendment!

If you have not contacted Senators Warner and Allen yet, you must do so NOW. There is no time to waste!

Tell them that any assault weapon ban bill or any assault weapon ban amendment to another bill is to be opposed!

Here is their contact information again:

Senator John Warner, 202-224-2023, web form: http://warner.senate.gov/contact/contactme.htm

Senator George Allen, 202-224-4024, web form: http://allen.senate.gov/index.cfm?c=email&which=Standard

__ Here in Virginia several gun bills are going to be heard in the Senate Courts of Justice committee starting at 2 PM today (Wednesday). I plan on being there to speak on them. Keep your emails on good bills coming to this committee. I will advise what happens tomorrow night. I should also have news on the gun manufacturer's protection bill and any AWB amendments in Congress. Cross your fingers - lot's of important things going on today!

[Darnright]

BUMP!!!

[steve50]

Good luck. My dealings with my reps lead me to believe the only thing they understand is donations and votes. Most responses I get back from them don't even address the issue raised.

[Darnright]

"My dealings with my reps lead me to believe the only thing they understand is donations and votes."

That's true. If these RINO senators and President Bush do not let the AWB sunset in September, do they honestly think the gun owners who put Dubya in office will all let bygones be bygones, and dutifully troop out to vote for them?

You know good and well they'll sit home, and let the chips fall where they may. I don't want Kerry in the White House, but if Bush and these senators sell out their whole base, they're NOT going to stay in power.

[Mudboy Slim]

If you have not contacted Senators Warner and Allen yet, you must do so NOW. There is no time to waste!

Tell them that any assault weapon ban bill or any assault weapon ban amendment to another bill is to be opposed!

Here is their contact information again:

Senator John Warner, 202-224-2023, web form: http://warner.senate.gov/contact/contactme.htm

Senator George Allen, 202-224-4024, web form: http://allen.senate.gov/index.cfm?c=email&which=Standard

Consider it done...MUD

[templar]

If we don't act soon, AK-47s and UZIs will once again be available to cop-killing criminals and terrorists,"...

That implies that they aren't available now. She is wrong. They (semi-auto AK's and UZI's) aren't used in crimes very often because they are not really suited for criminal purposes, not because they aren't easily available.

[templar]

...do they honestly think the gun owners who put Dubya in office will all let bygones be bygones, and dutifully troop out to vote for them?

Yes, absolutely!

It is imperative that we elect Republicans at any cost so that the will remain in control of the Congress and Presidency and ... well..... maybe ... do something conservative some day?

[Darnright]

This is so unnecessary. Can't the GOP understand that the AWB is the very thing that kept Clinton and the Democrats from keeping the Senate and the House, at the very least?

What do they think is going to happen?

The GOP sure can snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, can't they?

[Texas Federalist]

Why did Warner switch his stance on the AWB from 10 years ago? I know he cites "evidence that it promoted public safety" which we all know doesn't exist, so what is it?

Eh, he's probably just an a--hole.

[Darnright]

>Eh, he's probably just an a--hole.

He's a country club Republican of the first order. We get stuck with him every election because in Virginia, the candidate can choose a primary as opposed to a mass meeting. We have open Primaries, come one, come all.

Every year the Democrats saddle us with the old f@rt.