Judiciary approves assault weapons ban

Politico ^ | Mar. 14, 2013 | John Bresnahan

[EXCH54FE]

The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a hugely controversial ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips, but the measure faces nearly certain defeat on the Senate floor.

The proposal, authored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), bans 157 different models of assault weapons, as well as magazines containing more than 10 bullets.

The Senate now faces a floor fight in coming weeks over Democrats’ push to dramatically alter U.S. gun laws for the first time in two decades. While the Feinstein assault weapons ban is unlikely to overcome GOP opposition and get a vote —

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and other top Democrats, including Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (Vt.), will now try to craft one package out of the Feinstein proposal and other gun-related bills. The Judiciary Committee has previously approved a gun-trafficking bill that expands federal sanctions for “straw purchasers” of guns, as well as a universal background checks proposal. The panel also approved an additional $40 million for school safety programs.

Yet gun-control advocates hailed today’s vote as a victory, even if the bill faces a bleak outlook.

“There are plenty of weapons out there,” Feinstein said during Thursday’s hearing. “The whole point of this bill is to reduce over time the supply, purchase and transfer of military type weapons.”

Feinstein got into a tense exchange with GOP Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas), who pointedly challenged her on whether the bill complied with the Second Amendment or would be struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.

“I am not a sixth grader,” Feinstein bristled. “Congress is in the business of making the law. The Supreme Court interprets the law. If they strike down the law, they strike down the law.

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Cornyn said the assault weapons ban “jeopardizes the self-defense rights of law-abiding citizens while doing nothing to address the real problem.”

Cornyn also said the proposal would effectively ban “the majority of handguns” sold in the country because it prohibits the sale of high-capacity ammunition clips. Cornyn offered several amendment to revise the Feinstein proposal, but they were defeated by Democrats.

[Travis McGee]

[SnakeDoctor]

This is good news.

Put it up for a vote. Get it off the table. And move on. Time to put this one down for good.

SnakeDoc

[Standing Wolf]

These representatives of the Democratic [sic] party seem to be determined to be voted out of office at the soonest available opportunity.

Let's not disappoint the vermin.

[GP100]

We should never ‘assume’ the House and/ or Senate will defeat this bill. There are too many RINOs in both to be trusted.

[Texican72]

“I am not a sixth grader,” Feinstein bristled.

Most sixth graders are smarter.

[Gen.Blather]

“Time to put this one down for good.”

As long as socialists exist this issue will never go away. It is an immortal monster that must be beaten back by mortal men each time the socialists breathe new life into it. With each battle, the socialists are not defeated, only their avatar. But with each battle, mortal men are injured politically, tainted by the socialist media as evil doers. Like Palin, some will be so injured they are relegated to the sidelines. Socialists wear us down with avatars, killing us one paper cut at a time.

[Little Ray]

Problem is, Bonehead in the House, might help it get through.

[jdub]

Why is this before the judiciary committee in the first place?

[Caipirabob]

Damned radicals. The economy has been trashed and all they can think about is liberal thug repression and infringement.

[Mr. Wright]

Here is the oath of office taken by Feinstein to become a member of the U.S. Senate:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”

Amendment 2, U.S. Constitution:

“ . . . . THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED”

Feinstein has violated her Oath - - she must be impeached!! Moreover, ANY U.S. HOUSE OR U.S. Senate member who attempts to take away or alter ANY OF THE Bill of Rights needs to meet the same fate.