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Assault Weapons Ban Picks Up GOP Support
Yahoo! News ^ | Tue, Feb 24, 2004 | AP

Posted on 02/24/2004 5:55:47 PM PST by yonif

WASHINGTON - Three Republican senators agreed Tuesday to support renewal of the soon-to-expire assault weapons ban, a small victory for gun control proponents as the Senate prepares to wade into several contentious gun issues this election year.

The GOP-controlled Senate plans to take up legislation Wednesday that would immunize gun manufacturers and distributors from lawsuits that arise from crimes in which guns were used.

Senate Republicans have enough votes to approve the legislation. Democrats plan to force votes on at least two other gun issues they want to attach to it, however, amendments to renew the assault weapons ban and to require background checks for all purchasers at gun shows.

Gun rights groups plan to urge majority Republicans to defeat both measures. The GOP-controlled House already has said it does not plan to approve the extension of the assault weapons ban.

"To protect the future of America's millions of gun owners, it is vital that the Senate pass (the lawsuits immunization bill) without any antigun amendments," the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action said on its Web site.

The White House also urged the Senate to pass the legislation without amendments.

"The administration urges the Senate to pass a clean bill, in order to ensure enactment of the legislation this year," the White House said in a statement. "Any amendment that would delay enactment of the bill beyond this year is unacceptable."

Getting the 1994 assault weapons prohibition renewed has been a Democratic priority this year. They picked up support Tuesday from GOP Sens. John Warner of Virginia, Mike DeWine of Ohio and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island.

"Although I voted against the ban a decade ago, over the past 10 years it has reduced crime dramatically and has made our streets safer," Warner said. "The legislation also has protected the rights of gun owners better than many of us predicted."

The three GOP senators' support does not guarantee the amendment's approval in the Senate, but "this gives the effort to renew the assault weapons ban new momentum," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., a sponsor of the original assault weapons ban.

Republicans, along with several Senate Democrats, have been pushing for the gun immunity legislation for some time. Gun advocates say firearm makers shouldn't be forced to spend millions of dollars fighting off lawsuits designed to win large rewards and bankrupt them for making legal products.

"The manufacturer or seller of a legal, nondefective product should not be held liable for the criminal or unlawful misuse of that product by others," the White House said.

Democrats like Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota agreed to get behind the legislation after gun supporters accepted a specification that firearms manufacturers and distributors would not be protected from lawsuits that involved defective products or illegal sales.

___

The bill number is S. 1805.

On the Net:

Bill text: http://thomas.loc.gov


TOPICS: Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: awb; awban; bang; banglist; gop
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To: Travis McGee
With those RINOS plus all the 'rats, the AWB is going to be extended.

The way I see this playing out is a strong AWB bill getting attached to a weakened lawsuit immunity bill.

The worthless RINOs will attempt to pass it off as a "good compromise", while the democrats will support the bill 1) knowing it will hurt Bush's re-election chances if he signs it, and 2) knowing that the weakened lawsuit immunity bill is full of loopholes.

The final bill will pass the Senate. The real fight will be in the House. I wouldn't be surprised to see another "magic one vote" victory for the bastards.

It looks like the best realistic scenario will be neither the AWB nor the lawsuit immunity bill becoming law this year.

I could be totally wrong, but we'll see.

41 posted on 02/24/2004 6:33:44 PM PST by Mulder (Fight the future)
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To: MJY1288
This doesn't have a chance in the House

Depends on what it's attached to as an amendment. Funding authorization for DoD, or Homeland Security? The next dose of "Patriot Act" legislation. If it comes over from the Senate just before the Labor (or even Memorial) Day recess, they are likely to vote for it just so they can get back to their districts to campaign, provided it's attached to something else to give them "cover".

42 posted on 02/24/2004 6:34:19 PM PST by El Gato (Federal Judges can twist the Constitution into anything.. Or so they think.)
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To: jdege
Neal Knox's latest alert is about a White House "Statement of Administrative Policy" calling for the liability protection bill to be passed un-amended

Knox is quite optimistic that we aren't going to get screwed this time.

Maybe I'm just too cynical, but I've seen it happen way too many times to rest easy.

43 posted on 02/24/2004 6:35:27 PM PST by Mulder (Fight the future)
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To: El Gato
This rider BS needs to be eliminated quick. It simply should not even be plausible to attach completely new rules to another bill. I *HATE* this procces, I *HATE* the stress of watching this rollercoaster too.
44 posted on 02/24/2004 6:36:18 PM PST by Monty22
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To: yonif
This is the typical type of legislation Rinos and NRA dupes would get behind and brag about. Senator Warners ignorant statement... "Although I voted against the ban a decade ago, over the past 10 years it has reduced crime dramatically and has made our streets safer," Warner said. "The legislation also has protected the rights of gun owners better than many of us predicted."

...is profoundly illustrative of the destructive vote buying Moderates that infest the rank and file of Republican leadership. SAFER??? REDUCED CRIME??? Upon what information does this fool make these conclusions? ALL honestly done surveys and statistics state the exact opposite.(See John Lott) The influence of 30+ States with CC is gratuitisly brushed aside. No "protection of gun owner's rights" has ever been researched based on the "Assault weapons ban".

And realizing that all law suits against gun manufacturers have been effectively lost, the use of the protection legislation is a red herring, a moldy bait only for the ignorant constituant.

Such "legislation by trade of right" is just the kind of eye candy that appeals to the NRAILA.

45 posted on 02/24/2004 6:38:16 PM PST by PRO 1 (POX on posters who's political bent causes them to refuse to be confused by the FACTS!!!!!!)
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To: ExSoldier
Gunowners have long memories and they do not forgive easily. Gunowners also make up a sizeable portion of BOTH parties. So a lot of Dems voted their guns last time and might do so again....or maybe not depending on the messages that are sent to them by the Republicans.

I read several other gun forums, and here's how it's looking for Bush.

About 25% are going to vote against him (not for Kerry, but third party).

25% are going to vote for him.

And 50% are going to base their vote on what happens with the AWB.

Keep in mind that in 2000, nearly 100% of these guys voted for Bush. Many supported him financially and volunteered for his campaign.

The fact that he's already lost 25% of them doesn't bode well for his re-election effort.

If he loses another 50%, he will lose big time in November.

46 posted on 02/24/2004 6:38:20 PM PST by Mulder (Fight the future)
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To: IGOTMINE
If I'm to become a felon, I'll go as a lion and not a lamb.

I think you speak for millions of Patriots.

If you're going to pay the price, might as well commit the act....

47 posted on 02/24/2004 6:39:34 PM PST by Mulder (Fight the future)
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To: jdege
I could easily see putting in the AWB renewal amendment so as to get sufficient Dem support to block any filibuster, and then stripping it out again in the inevitable conference committee. So I'm not going to scream and shout, yet.

Sounds about as smart as signing CFR, and hoping the Supreme Court will take out the Unconstitutional parts (most of it actually, but very little of it according the 9 in black).

48 posted on 02/24/2004 6:39:55 PM PST by El Gato (Federal Judges can twist the Constitution into anything.. Or so they think.)
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To: ExSoldier
I told the RNC guys in Michigan the same thing.

My GUESS is that this will die in conference committee if the amendments are attached, BUT I am not taking it for granted.

49 posted on 02/24/2004 6:39:59 PM PST by Dan from Michigan ("You know it don't come easy, the road of the gypsy" - Iron Eagle)
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To: yonif
The administration urges the Senate to pass a clean bill

The only "clean bill" will be one that DOES NOT Infringe on the 2A!

Damn it!!! I hate the election years and We have just started this one...

50 posted on 02/24/2004 6:41:48 PM PST by ChefKeith (NASCAR...everything else is just a game!)
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To: Monty22
This rider BS needs to be eliminated quick. It simply should not even be plausible to attach completely new rules to another bill. I *HATE* this procces, I *HATE* the stress of watching this rollercoaster too.

And even worse is when they then pass the amended turkey "without objection" at Oh-Dark_Thirty just before a long recess.

51 posted on 02/24/2004 6:43:31 PM PST by El Gato (Federal Judges can twist the Constitution into anything.. Or so they think.)
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To: Travis McGee
If it is, President Bush can kiss his second term goodbye.
If the House sends it forward, he will sign it.
Not a brilliant move for a Republican controlled House of Representatives to do to a Republican President, but it is the "stupid" party, so it is within the realm of the possible.
Before I get too upset, I will wait and see untill September comes and the AWB automatically sunsets.If not, no amount of CFR induced 1st ammendment nullification and the rest of the truly inane "compassionate conservative" PC rhetoric will really matter much at all.


52 posted on 02/24/2004 6:43:45 PM PST by sarasmom (Vote no on all judicial retentions. Dont vote for any new judges. Impeach the rest.)
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To: yonif
God Bless the true America.... Lock and Load.

Oh wait did I just mention God and a reference to guns in the same post. Thats bad right? :|
53 posted on 02/24/2004 6:44:59 PM PST by ezo4
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To: All
BTW - It's DECISION TIME!!!

What the pols do here, determine my vote.

54 posted on 02/24/2004 6:45:17 PM PST by Dan from Michigan ("You know it don't come easy, the road of the gypsy" - Iron Eagle)
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To: Reelect President Dubya
and this is why I did not vote for Warner.
The snake helped let Slick Willy off the hook
in 98 and hasn't changed his scales.
He probably isn't running again and figures he can
show his true colors now.
55 posted on 02/24/2004 6:47:54 PM PST by ottersnot ("They've got the Monkees! They were a major influence on the Beatles")
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To: Monty22
Between all the spending, the failure to stand up to DEMS on the judicary committee and this, I am starting to smell a GOP defeat of 1994 proportions
56 posted on 02/24/2004 6:47:55 PM PST by raloxk
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To: autopsy
Because of the AWB, I own far more "assault weapons", hi-cap pistols (I fancy Glocks) and hi-cap magazines than I otherwise would.

If the AWB is made permanent, I stand to make a profit off of them. If not, I may lose some money.

Here's hoping I have made a poor investment in this case.
57 posted on 02/24/2004 6:49:14 PM PST by Imal (Misunderstanding of the Constitution is poor grounds for amending it.)
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To: Mulder
"Keep in mind that in 2000, nearly 100% of these guys voted for Bush. Many supported him financially and volunteered for his campaign."

100% of gun owners voted for Bush in 2000????

Get real

58 posted on 02/24/2004 6:50:09 PM PST by raloxk
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To: IGOTMINE
Warner will be fatally damaged by pushing through the tax increase in VA, after running on a "no new taxes" platform.

Right, but he is getting more than enough help from the Republicans in the State Senate, who almost doubled the amount Warner wanted.

Jack

59 posted on 02/24/2004 6:51:29 PM PST by JackOfVA
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To: yonif
GOP Sens. John Warner of Virginia, Mike DeWine of Ohio and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island.

No suprise here. Warner and DeWine are given "F" grades and Chafee an "F-" by GOA.

60 posted on 02/24/2004 6:51:49 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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