Posted on 08/29/2003 6:14:00 AM PDT by jmc813
Washington DC - Howard Dean is running for President. He believes that gun laws should be at the state level, not the federal level.
Perhaps Dean will have success in convincing criminals to promise not to carry their guns across state lines, and convincing gun traffickers not to buy or sell them across state lines. Governor, guns cross state borders. Maybe it's you who should stay at the state level.
Former Vermont Governor Dean says he's from the "Democrat wing of the Democratic party." As far as gun safety advocates are concerned, give us a Democrat from some other wing of the Democratic party, please.
"Governor Dean is wrong for America on gun policy," said Michael Barnes, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence United with the Million Mom March. "It makes no more sense to leave gun policy up to each individual state than it would to let each state set separate environmental standards. Guns cross state lines as easily as pollution. We're going to make sure that Americans who support our cause know he's wrong on these issues."
"Hey, Howard: We don't need a pro-NRA president. We've already got one," said Mary Leigh Blek, President Emeritus of the Million Mom March. "Americans who care about getting guns off our streets need to know there is virtually no difference between Governor Dean and President Bush."
Dean's state-by-state approach to gun crime won't work. Every day, gun traffickers take advantage of states with the weakest laws to get guns. Those guns are then sold on the black market in cities and states with strong gun laws. The only way to crack down on illegal gun sales is with strong federal gun laws that apply to all states.
You can ask two former New Jersey Police officers, David Lemongello and Ken McGuire. Their law enforcement careers ended when a criminal shot them during a stakeout. And how did that gun get to New Jersey? It was bought from an irresponsible dealer in West Virginia.
Though the Brady Campaign/Million Mom March has not endorsed a candidate, the gun safety group has decided to oppose Dean publicly, and plans to be aggressive in opposing Dean throughout the Democratic primaries. An email alert will go out to all Brady members nationwide today, educating them about Dean's wrongheaded view of gun safety policy, and advocates of reasonable gun safety laws will be encouraged to attend Governor Dean's campaign appearances and tell supporters about his extreme views on gun issues.
"Electing Howard Dean President would not be a step forward towards making our children and our communities safer from gun violence," Barnes said. "We intend to make sure Americans know that."
As the nation's largest national, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united with the Million Mom March is dedicated to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in their communities.
How was the dealer irresponsible? Either criminal charges should be filed against the dealer for violating the law, or this dealer should sue the Brady campaign for libel.
It's also the liberal argument for the Frederal Drug War.
Gun laws should be at the State Level you morons! When the criminal crosses state lines and commits a crime with the gun it the becomes an interstate commerce issue and the CRIME can be tried in Federal Court you friggin DOOFUSes.
Much like the Domestic Abuse ruling issued by the SCOTUS in 2000. If the abuse happens in one state, it is a state matter and can ONLY be tried in state court. IF the abuser crosses stata LINES the crime becomes Federal.
This is not friggin rocket science here you dolts.
The States control GUN LAWS for their state. if a criminal crosses state lines and commits a crime then the CRIME becomes a federal CRIME - the damn gun law has nothing to do with it.
Hillary is a human statue of liberty. Who could be against that?
Of course, they cross national borders, too, so we can't settle for national gun laws. We need international law, governed by the UN, to ensure gun safety.
And then of course, there is the interplanetary issue. Do you want your children acquiring unsafe death rays due to the space alien loophole?
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