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.
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The bill number is S. 1805.
On the Net:
Bill text: http://thomas.loc.gov
I would prefer Frist never bringing the bill to the floor for debate, and it's DOA before it starts, but as we all know, politics is is a game of perception, backroom deals and manipulation.
With Hastert as Speaker? Are you serious? If Karl Rove calls him and says "The President expects you to get your people in line and get the votes to pass this.", do you really believe that Hastert will say no?
Then they've figgered wrong.
Actually Karl Rove was quoted as saying it'll never get out of the House.
The AWB is dead, folks. I know some of y'all are gonna be paranoid about it, and I ain't gonna argue it, but just reserve judgement until September comes and the AWB is gone, and then think about what Bush and most of the Republicans have done for gun owners, and more importantly what they haven't done TO gun owners that the Democrats and RINOs would.
The only question is, will the gun manufacturers liability bill be passed?
.
But who knows, I guess it's time to fire off some letters to our congress critters and threaten them with revolt if they allow this useless AWB to be renewed. That's all we can do at this point. This election is way too important for me to sit it out or vote for a third party candidate, so I will send off a letter a day until the AWB hopefully sunsets
Did anyone notice if he said this with a straight face?
PS- Big holes, baby! Springfield 1911-A1, Wesson & Harrington 45-70
With all due respect:
NO WAY IN HELL IS ANY EXTENSION OF THE UGLY-GUN BAN ACCEPTABLE IN EXCHANGE FOR ANYTHING. THE UGLY-GUN BAN MUST DIE.
We simply must establish the precedent that gun-control laws can be removed from the books.
I will not support any politician, even the President, who supports new gun-control measures. This includes an extension or expansion of Bill Clinton's 1994 ugly-gun ban.
My judgment is always reserved and in this case it is really simple; if the AWB passes in any form before Nov. 5th I'll vote against every single pol on my ballot that supported it.
Name one studying proving so, you lying scum.
"The legislation also has protected the rights of gun owners better than many of us predicted."
Just like CFR protects the right of free speech? Outrageous.
Richard Lugar, John Warner, Lincoln Chafee, Mike DeWine, John McCain and Peter Fitzgerald failed to sponsor the Lawful Commerce in Firearms bill, i.e. the product liabilty wanted by the firearm manufacturers. Others accused of being RINOs include Arlen Spector, who has a primary challenge, Charles Grassley and Orin Hatch, but Hatch sponsored a bill to recognize gun rights in D.C.
IIRC, Chafee and Warner won elections in 2002. Warner had no rat opposition, IIRC, but this term may be his swan song. Fitzgerald is retiring this year, and maybe McCain might join him. AFAIK, McCain hasn't announced his intention. If he runs, I expect a primary challenge. I believe all the rest are safe this year.
Gun owners are refreshingly straightforward.
I've only fired a gun a couple times in my life, trap shooting (don't even ask my tally). Funny thing, I went to the range with my Palestinian friend (another novice) and he was positioned to my left. It came to his turn to shoot, he pulled the trigger, and nothing happened. He turned to ask the guy in charge for help and I found myself staring down the barrel of a loaded gun of a crazy Palestinian.
I haven't been to a range since.
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