CFA: Strengthen the Federal Assault Weapons Ban; Demand President Bush Keep His Promise

www.consumerfed.org ^ | 09-10-03

[Brian S]

CFA: Strengthen the Federal Assault Weapons Ban 9/10/2003

Press Release Consumer Federation of America 1424 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 www.consumerfed.org

Contact: Naomi Seligman Phone: 202-628-7772 ext. 126

Leading Consumer Advocate, Howard Metzenbaum, with 25 State Consumer, Gun Control and Public Health Groups Call on Congress and President Bush to Strengthen and Renew the Federal Assault Weapons Ban

National and State Groups Demand President Bush Keep His Promise To Support Legislation Before the Assault Weapons Ban Expires, September 13, 2004.

Washington, DC - Retired Senator Howard Metzenbaum and Sonia Wills, mother of bus driver Conrad Johnson, the last victim of the Washington, DC-area sniper attacks, were joined today by 25 state consumer, gun control and public health advocates to announce the launch of a year-long effort to renew and strengthen the federal assault weapons ban due to expire September 13, 2004.

Modeled after California's 1999 Assault Weapons Ban, the speakers voiced their support for S. 1431, sponsored by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), and H.R. 2038 sponsored by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY). The legislation would not only renew the law, but would also strengthen provisions to ban the manufacturing of "post-ban" assault weapons like the Bushmaster XM-15 used by the Washington DC-area sniper.

"Unless Congress and President Bush work together to enact new legislation, UZIs, AK 47s, and a list of other bargain basement military-style killing machines will flood America's streets again," said retired Senator and Consumer Federation of America (CFA) Chairman Howard Metzenbaum. "The existing law is so weak that scores of slightly modified versions of assault weapons banned ten years ago are legally and freely available."

Although President Bush has stated his support for renewing the ban, he has not yet taken action on its behalf. The speakers are calling on the President to stand behind his words. "The American people will not take kindly to a Congress and President who buckle under to the extreme demands of the gun lobby by letting the law expire or simply reenacting the existing weak ban," said Metzenbaum. "The hour has come for President Bush and Congress to once and for all rid America's streets of these weapons of war."

Date of Release: September 4, 2003

[GladesGuru]

"The hour has come for President Bush and Congress to once and for all rid America's streets of these weapons of war." Metzenbaum is absolutely correct. The time has come to make our streets safe for the Republic.

We must outlaw those who would make war on the Republic. The time has come to gird our loins, strengthen our resolve to do what must be done - Outlaw The Democratic Party!

[wku man]

There are plenty of RINOs ready to stand up and be counted along with the 'Rat supporters of the AWB, the president among them. This problem, like every other threat to our freedom, is not Pubbie vs. 'Rat...it's conservative Constitutionalism vs. liberal Governmentalism. Those are the true battle lines.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[John Will]

It would Have to get past the House.

[SSN558]

It ain't gonna happen. Bush needs the red zone states and polls say he's not gonna get the anti gun states anyway.

[FreedomPoster]

ping

[Sender]

Contact: Naomi Seligman Phone: 202-628-7772 ext. 126

Well, well. Doesn't she work for the VPC? Consumer Federation of America, indeed.

[Dan from Michigan]

Howard Metzenbaum,

Metzenjerk wanted a total ban.

[Dan from Michigan]

She sure does work for VPC. Probably the same people run this group. I bet Josh Sugarmann's name is there somewhere too.

[bluelowrider57]

Uh no. Guns are only a threat if threats use them.

[Monty22]

If Bush lets this small loudmouth minority ban more guns.. I will really consider staying home voting day.

[TheFrog]

Just vote ind.

[Clinging Bitterly]

Metzenbaum a leading consumer advocate?

Whatever.

There has been a promise made by the GOP leaders of the House. It will be kept if any Republican ever wants my vote again. Sad to have to say that, but there's a huge constitutional issue here and the PARTY needs to lead on this and defend this and all of our rights or I'm done with the lot of them. To those who'd suggest I'd be throwing my vote away on third party candidates, there is either a dime's worth of difference or there is not, and if I vote for Republicans and they don't do Republican things in office, I already threw my vote away.

Dave in Eugene

[William Tell]

From the article: "Unless Congress and President Bush work together to enact new legislation, UZIs, AK 47s, and a list of other bargain basement military-style killing machines will flood America's streets again," said retired Senator and Consumer Federation of America (CFA) Chairman Howard Metzenbaum. "The existing law is so weak that scores of slightly modified versions of assault weapons banned ten years ago are legally and freely available."

Liberals have such weak minds that they don't even notice when they contradict themselves within the same short paragraph.

So, which is it? The law is so weak that "assault weapons" are "legally and freely available"?

Or, if the law is not renewed then "bargain basement military-style killing machines will flood America's streets again"?

Democrats are unable to decide whether the present law is a "success" because there never was a problem.

[RogueIsland]

Democrats are unable to decide whether the present law is a "success" because there never was a problem.

Actually, they aren't that stupid. The actual "success" of any piece of gun control legislation is not of importance to them. No gun control measure will ever be "effective enough" to these people becasue it is not their intent that the legislation actually accomplish anything. The entire point of gun control legislation is to lay the groundwork for the next, more onerous piece of legislation, so therefore no gun-control measure can be allowed to be perceived by the public as a complete success. There always must be some flaw that will be remedied by just one more infringement, until of course we have become Australia and they start trying to ban knives and sticks.

[Joe Brower]

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Don't these fools realize that if they ever get exactly what they want, they will in all likelyhood, get exactly what they deserve?

[Dead Corpse]

They don't care Gill. As long as their agenda gets passed, and they retain their power to influence, they won't care how many of us have to die. That is what makes them the enemy.

Despite assurances by the Bots, the GOP is NOT our "Great Hope for the Future". The margins in Congress are WAY too slim to count on this not making it through either House, let alone to a RINO Presidents desk who has already promised to sign it should it make it that far.

For quite some time now, this one issue has been my over-riding litmus test. Sad to say that very few meet this one simple criteria.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Then I have no problem! My L1A1 is wood and dark gray-green parkerized steel.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

... they won't care how many of us have to die...

Very true, but I wasn't talking about us.