Shooting Rekindles Issues of Gun Rights and Restrictions

NY Times ^ | April 18, 2007 | LESLIE EATON and MICHAEL LUO

[neverdem]

Five weeks ago, a Virginia Tech student walked into a nondescript gun store next to a pawn shop in Roanoke, Va., and paid $571 for a Glock 9-millimeter handgun and a box of ammunition.

--snip--

The purchase has prompted calls from several Democrats and at least one leading presidential candidate, John Edwards, for measures to restrict gun sales, even as they proclaimed their support for the Second Amendment.

--snip--

Many advocates on both sides of this debate, including the National Rifle Association and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, suggested they were waiting for more information about the gunman and how he acquired his weapons.

It remained unclear yesterday how and when Mr. Cho got another gun, described in a search warrant as a Walther .22-caliber semiautomatic pistol, although one law enforcement official suggested that he might have purchased it at a pawnshop in February. At a news conference yesterday, local officials said both weapons appeared to have been acquired legally.

Virginia restricts gun buyers to the purchase of one handgun a month, in an effort to prevent bulk re-sales; law enforcement officers must issue a concealed carry permit to almost anyone who...

--snip--

In Congress, perhaps the strongest response to the Virginia shootings came from Representative Carolyn McCarthy, a New York Democrat whose husband was killed and son was seriously wounded by a gunman on the Long Island Rail Road more than a decade ago. Ms. McCarthy pushed House leaders on Tuesday to move quickly on a bill, stalled in previous Congresses that would improve databases used to conduct criminal background checks on gun purchaser.

--snip--

Even Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, who helped spearhead a ban on assault weapons more than a decade ago, said it was too early to discuss additional gun control measures.

[neverdem]

Even Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, who helped spearhead a ban on assault weapons more than a decade ago, said it was too early to discuss additional gun control measures.

He's smarter than folks give him credit for, although when I read it, because of who he is, I had to do a double take.

[knightshadow]

“He’s smarter than folks give him credit for, although when I read it, because of who he is, I had to do a double take.”

Merely a temporary stance to camouflage dangerous ulterior political motives. Your double take is appropriate.

[paratrooper82]

“Even Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, who helped spearhead a ban on assault weapons more than a decade ago, said it was too early to discuss additional gun control measures.”

Even this dumb-ass can remember 1994 and read the polls of Americans. If they even attempt to make political points with this tragedy and move for more gun control over Americans, they will get their heads handed to them in 08, and even Chucky Schumer sees the writing on the wall on this one!

[Shadowstrike]

Someone needs to remind each of these legal reps that had one student who had a permit to carry a concealed weapon actually had their weapon with them, this would be a different story.

[Sender]

Schumer doesn’t want to upset the apple cart of grief...at this moment. Rest assured that the demand for disarmament is being planned as we type.

[Eric Blair 2084]

Rest assured that the demand for disarmament is being planned as we type.

If Chuckie Cheese Schumer and the rest of the liberals try to use this tragedy to further their agenda, then I'll be a monkey's uncle.

[Eric Blair 2084]

He's smarter than folks give him credit for, although when I read it, because of who he is, I had to do a double take.

I was talking to my nephew, Curious George, and he said the same thing when he read it today.

[Neu Pragmatist]

Yes, Schumer likes his newly acquired power too much... for now .
The Dims don’t want to blow it this soon , so they are playing it cool for now. It’s a different ballgame from the 90’s when they had Klinton in the bully pulpit, beating the anti-gun war drums .

[knightshadow]

“Someone needs to remind each of these legal reps that had one student who had a permit to carry a concealed weapon actually had their weapon with them, this would be a different story.”

Yes, and that is the real crux of the issue. I received this info, from GOA earlier this evening:

‘It is worthwhile to note that Virginia Tech is — because of deliberate policies set by its administration — a victim disarmament zone, [’gun free zone’] where even those with a state issued concealed carry permit are denied their right of self-defense. In fact, pro-gun forces just last year tried to get the Virginia legislature to address the problem. The bill to allow permit holders to carry on state-supported college campuses died, due in no small part to rabid opposition from Virginia Tech itself.’

‘Virginia Tech spokesman Larry Hincker put it this way after it became obvious that the bill would not pass: “I’m sure the university community is appreciative of the General Assembly’s actions because this will help parents, students, faculty and visitors feel safe on our campus.” ‘

The VT folks deliberately made themselves wide open, like sitting ducks, to mass murder - and it’s inconceiveable that Cho was not aware of the fact that his killing ground posed no oppositiom. In sum, this concept of “gun free zones” is utter lunacy, and merely a hallucination by idiots. (Say - let’s get the liberals to declare whole neighborhoods ‘burglary free zones’ - and let them be the first to leave their doors wide open).

It is this absurd philosophy that is killing people - and it just killed 32 more. Chucky and his ilk are virutal killers by proxy by setting the stage for loonies like Cho to have free reign. It disgusts me, and my heart breaks for the folks at VT.

[TBP]

Th eliberals couldn’t wait to politicize these shootings. But of course, they’re not about to turn in their arsenals.

[knightshadow]

Unquestionably.

[jeffers]

The New York Times’ strategy is clear.

Both CNN and ABC’s post “massacre” polls are overwhelmingly opposed to additional firearms legislation, so the Times is going to chip away at that majority, editorial by editorial and day by day, until the people forget the facts, and can only remember the Times re-written account of history.

Just like they did to erode the majority support for the war in Iraq.

They should not be permitted to get away with this.

The New York Times must pay the price for their perfidy.

Fortunately, the opportunity to exact that price has been handed to us on a silver platter.

The landmark Washington DC Court of Appeals Second Amendment decision recently handed down has the capacity to render Unconstitutional, large parts, probably the majority, possibly the entirety of US firearms legislation, and we, as a body, should threaten to execute precisely this counter-attack.

If the Times is willing to play hardball in trading children’s deaths for political power, we should put their hard won victories of yesterday at similar risk, every time they try.

Instead of new firearms legislation, every state and county in America should now be conducting a comprehensive review of EXISTING firearm legislation.

NO TAXPAYER wants to waste money prosecuting law abiding citizens for “crimes” that are no longer enforceable.

It is time to call and write your legislators and ask them specifically what THEY are doing to ensure that existing firearm law is consistent with the DC Court of Appeals’ sweeping decision supporting the Founding Father’s original Second Amendment intent.

Make it clear that your vote, and the votes of as many people you can sway depends on their answer.

Make it clear that you are not willing to tolerate wasting tax money to enforce legislation whish has now been declared Un-constitutional.

Make it clear that you are willing to find and contest specific legislation which now stand exposed to being stricken down on Constitutional grounds.

If they won’t listen, just keep talking, till you find a voter, or a candidate for office, who WILL listen.

Make the New York Times pay, in a coin they value.

Make them bleed, as their laws made our children bleed yesterday.

[omnivore]

NYT is praying (to Satan, their Lord and Master) that this event will rekindle their fave-rave issue.

[Sender]

I'll be a monkey's uncle

Then either your brother or sister has been dating out-of-species, I'm afraid.

[Sleeping Beauty]

I feel confident that gun control will NOT be a Dem issue any time in the near future.

In fact, I'll bet they don't breathe a word about it until long after the 2008 elections. They know that if they do, they will lose the south and certain key states in the presidential elections.

I predict that Webb will become the official Dem posterboy for gun rights.

[Neu Pragmatist]

Only if he gets out of his own recent little gun infraction. He might be backbenched for that debacle .
I have a feeling that the new poster boy will be Jon Tester from Montana now.

The media is already running to the Dims for salvation, and even Leahy told them it was way to early to even consider new legislation , which should tell us something . Leahy is a raging anti-gunner .

The other far left Anti’s are already predictably beating the gun ban drums .

[Nick Danger]

Shooting Rekindles Issues of Gun Rights and Restrictions

Editorial Rekindles Issues of Press Freedom and Restrictions

Yet another editorial in The New York Times advocating the abrogation of the Second Amendment raised more questions today concerning abrogating the First Amendment, especially as it pertains to so-called "freedom of the press."

"The Times regularly suggests that the constitutional rights of others be ignored or curtailed," said Sidney V. Schmockmeyer. "Shouldn't we threaten the Times editorial board with having to shut up or go to jail? If we're going to start abrogating the Bill of Rights, let's start with The New York Times."

[William Tell]

jeffers said: "Make the New York Times pay, in a coin they value."

That would require that people cancel their subscriptions and refuse to view the advertising in the NYT. When these liberal liars are unemployed, we will cease hearing from them. THAT is a coin they will value."

[Frances_Marion]

If I were one of these kids’ parents, I’d be suing this College for not, at the very least, allowing registered faculty to carry. The actions of this college administration made a perfect environment for such a tragedy. Who was going to stand in his way, the Barney Fifes at Campus Security?

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Ms. McCarthy pushed House leaders on Tuesday to move quickly on a bill, stalled in previous Congresses that would improve databases used to conduct criminal background checks on gun purchasers.

Even if such a database would have been in place, it would not have stopped Cho since he had no prior criminal record, was 23 years old, and apparently had all of required documentation in order under existing laws.