Bush Backs Renewing Assault Weapons Ban

Washington Post ^ | April 12, 2003 | Unknown

[galt-jw]

I just emailed Bush a link to this thread and told him to watch his base (politely). I urge others to do the same:

The fact that you have to lobby a guy who is supposedly on your side should be a contradiction large enough for you to re examine your premise (that he is, in fact, on YOUR side.)

[VRWC_minion]

I'm not a liberal, but $1 profit from actions taken by a public official is obscene.

I agree but that wasn't the poster's premise.

[Liberal Classic]

"The president supports the current law, and he supports reauthorization of the current law," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told Knight Ridder.

And I was finally getting to like him. Oh well.

[Liberal Classic]

Timmywrote:
First of all, the "assault weapons ban" doesn't actually DO anything...

To which you replied:
Yes it does. Other than violating the fundamental principle that the right to keep and bear arms "shall not be infringed", it also puts an absolute limit on magazine capacity. That means government bureaucrats get to have as many rounds as they want, while ordinary "civilians" (the term citizen being obsolete) can only have 10 rounds. It is a framework to get people used to the idea of such restrictions; and after the public becomes accustomed to the concept, they can lower the magazine capacity down (such legislation has already been proposed) until finally only single-shot weapons are allowed (after which, they too will be restricted, and then banned).

BUMP!

[Gunsmith]

I hope the Republicans realize they will lose millions of votes,and not gain any votes by backing this insane,evil & socialist law.
It was the gun owners of America that made Gore lose his home state and put Bush in office...I stopped voting for Democrats cause of the gun issue.
I hope that the Republicans realize they will LOSE ELECTIONS FOR YEARS TO COME if they do not let the ban sunset

[Jesse]

Timmywrote:
First of all, the "assault weapons ban" doesn't actually DO anything...
Not true.
"There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted - and you create a nation of law-breakers - and then you cash in on the guilt."Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged"

Federal gun laws are the epitome of this precept in action. Depending on when a gun was made, the exact same firearm can be legal or illegal to possess. A folding stock on a pre-ban semiautomatic SKS is legal, but illegal on the post ban weapon. Not to mention that functionally, there is no difference between a pre and post ban weapon for the most part. The purpose of the law is only to create traps. Keeping track of these regs is all but impossible for most people.

So when you say that the law doesn't do anything, you are very mistaken. It can be used to write regulations which act as regulatory traps to ensnare innocent gun owners. If you don't think this power cannot be abused, you have been awake with your eyes wide shut. Just think of what would happen if some future president issued an executive order to enforce all firearms regulations and punishments for violations to the letter and to the max...after offering say, an unconditional amnesty for anyone turning in even possibly illegal weapons. Many people would turn in their guns just to be on the safe side.

As for Bush, he would and will sign this in a heartbeat, and for those who think the House will sunset it automatically, don't. Bush would and I predict will pressure House Republicans on the fence in safe districts to support this legislation and get it over the top in exchange for something else he wants. Bet on it.

[Timmy]

I know this is going to disappoint you, but I'm not into Ayn Rand philosophy. If we all acted like her, this country would be a heck of a mess.

[Jesse]

Memo to Timmy...
We are in a heck of a mess.


Regards.

[Timmy]

Disagree. We're in great shape.

[Jesse]

Eyes wide shut.

[votelife]

bttt