Backfire: Gun Control Doesn't Win Elections

Wall Street Journal ^ | May 19, 2003

[WaveThatFlag]

It's no surprise that Republicans in Congress aren't eager to renew the ban on certain semiautomatic firearms due to expire next year. What's more interesting is why Democrats aren't raising much of a fuss about it.

Our suspicion is that the left has learned the hard way that gun control is a political loser. The first signs came in 1994, after Bill Clinton successfully urged the Democrat-controlled House and Senate to pass legislation outlawing 19 types of "assault" weapons. In November of that year, several Democrats who had supported the ban, including then-House Speaker Tom Foley of Washington, were voted out of office in the Republican sweep. Mr. Clinton later said crossing gun owners cost his party more than 20 seats. In 1995, the House voted to repeal the ban, which wouldn't even have passed without a sunset provision, but the effort died in the Senate.

[blackdog]

To all you democrats out there, don't fret. There is still plenty of time for some school shootings, mall shootings, church shootings, and McDonalds masacres to fill your hearts with joy before national elections!

Keep your fingers crossed in a trigger hold fashion.

[jammer]

I would laugh all day long at your excellent post, except that the truth in it is so sad.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Our suspicion is that the left has learned the hard way that gun control is a political loser.

Would somebody please give the president the memo?

[joesnuffy]

yep when the monarchs return from capistrano....
just in time for the next elections

[coloradan]

indexing

[error99]

Another thread on this same story is running here...

[blackdog]

Homeland Security...........

Gun Grabbing.......

Don't our leftist friends understand that the only thing that keeps this country safe(at least for time being) is the fact that we as a nation of individuals are armed to the teeth?

A pissed off public and their guns are the only thing keeping us safe in this world. It's no coincidence when an invading force decends upon California, New York, Washington, and Seattle/Portland.

Heck, the redneck south is the safest place in the world.

[Maelstrom]

...and hope we aren't around to stop these shooting.

[El Gato]

several Democrats who had supported the ban, including then-House Speaker Tom Foley of Washington, were voted out of office in the Republican sweep.

Yep, the House was De-Foley-ated. (DF8!)

[El Gato]

currently being sued in federal court in Brooklyn by gun-control activists and trial lawyers who want to hold them responsible for high homicide rates in poor black neighborhoods.

A jury rejected that claim last week, but the presiding judge, Jack Weinstein, has the final say and is expected to find for the plaintiffs.

Whatever happened to ".. and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States" (Amendment VII, and it is refering to civil lawsuits)

I'm sure it all "legal" somehow, but I'd like to see the explanation for whey the 7th amendment doesn't apply in this *federal* court.

[Vigilanteman]

A liberal is someone who truly believes that guns in the hands of American citizens are a grave threat to world peace, but that weapons of mass destruction in the hands of crazy dictators or terrorist cells are not.

[dark_lord]

A pissed off public and their guns are the only thing keeping us safe in this world. It's no coincidence when an invading force decends upon California, New York, Washington, and Seattle/Portland. Heck, the redneck south is the safest place in the world.

You are dreaming. How many illegals are regularly invading us across the Southern border every year?

[SSN558]

I got a call from a lady at the RNC a couple days ago. She wanted to know if I wanted a signed picture of dubya, and I told her I already had five of them. Then she asked if I wanted an autographed book, and I declined. So then she pulls out the secret weapon,"You know Bill Clinton and the democraps are trying to retake the congress and senate."

I told her I am withholding all support of the RNC and maybe my vote until the assault weapons issue is ironed out.

[blackdog]

There is a difference between an invading workforce and an invading terrorist/paramilitary event. The ones from the southern border are for the most part better Americans than Americans. Hard working, good family values, able to stretch a buck. I've got no bones to pick with them. They will be paying my social security in years to come.