Assault Weapon Ban Expires Monday

[abisai]

OK, I am reviving an old conversation that sort of once occurred here, but it is now current topic again. A Congressional ban on assault weapons is expiring Monday. There are guys pounding the beat to do something, but it appears nothing will happen in time and gun people are seriously already advertising. Additionally, Kerry/Edwards ticket is pinning this to GW stating things like the president did not push Congress hard enough to do something (I am thinking of the old song "push, push, in the bush").

As far as the topic itself, this is the exact sort of thing I would view as making us all a little less safe and not really benefitting anyone who does not profit from the home security industry. It makes me think of three things in this order: Compton, Waco, and HS killers. If I think longer I conjure up the highway snipers and possible tactic as a terrorist tool within our borders. There's the militias out there and they are what they are, basically Americans that take extreme cautions. I just fail to see where this is the sort of thing that helps you hunt deer, protect your home, or defend a nation against terrorism, missiles, or nukes. I do not see any tangible benefits and see immense pitfalls for letting this come to pass. But it has. I don't see the connection to GW really as this is something Dems should seize anyway and really a Congressional thing through and through.

Q1: Anyone actually think this is a good thing? If so, WHY?
Q2: Anyone blame the president? If so, what could Kerry do about it instead?

;D

[Rob G]

I agree entirely.

Wanted to say that often times here i hear people say the president does not do this or that or whatever. But even where the President is not directly involed he holds an enormous amount of leverage in all things. And everything comes accross his desk so I think he does need to hold accountability for inactions as well as actions.

I CANT BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11th.

I hold the republicans and in lesser regard George bush entirely responsible for this.

Yes, Bush should have pushed to have this taken care of. But way before that the republican dominated legistalture should have made this a prioirity. The democrats should be screaming louder then they are and i also hold them to some degree. But ofcourse everyone talks so much bullshit in an election year that by this point everyone is certifiable.

Theres no way John Kerry or just about any democrat would have let this happen. This is straight up repbulican concessions to their gun toting bible banging hillbilly constitutiancy which stretches all the way to pennsyvania avenue.

[Ken]

I have to say that I am dismayed by the automatic weapons assualt ban expiring. This should have been taken care of especially as it has direct implications concerning terrorism, i.e. more availability (legally, illegally) and terrorists can then get their hands on them. I also have a very good friend in the Yonkers PD and therefore have a personal stake in seeing him safe and sound.

There is a part of me that thinks people have the right to bear arms. I know one thing though, people aren't responsible enough, maybe that says it all.

As for the President? Rob has a definite point. The POTUS has enormous clout and leverage and could have at least called attention to the issue, forcing other politicians into action. The POTUS isn't running the government by himself however, there is the Congress and the House of Representatives, but the POTUS has to bear some responsibility.

One question, WHY is there even an expiration date? Could that be the only way the bill could have gotten through in the first place and the deal made was that Dems wouldn't protest the bill's expiration when the exp. date finally came up? Seems weird that the exp. date kind of snuck up didn't it?

By the way, there's nothing wrong with gun toting, bible banging hillbillies. I'd rather have one of those guys as my neighbor that some stupid liberal New Yorker whos got a few bucks and lots of time on their hands.

[Ken]

Here is something very interesting that I think EVERYBODY would like to know. According to an article in the NY Times today, discussing the expiration of the assualt weapons ban entitled "Kerry Faults Bush for Failing to Press Weapons Ban"...

"Many Democrats believe they lost control of the House in 1994 in part because of gun control. In 1999 Mr. Gore cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate on one hard-fought gun-control provision - background checks for people buying guns at gun shows and in pawnshops - and Democrats believe that his prominent role on the issue cost him votes among blue collar union members, and perhaps, even the election."

So although the POTUS does have leverage on this issue, it appears that gun-control is an issue neither party wanted to touch especially in this election year. That explains why the expiration date snuck up on everybody and a big deal wasn't made out of it.

Love those politicians huh? (Notice I wrote "politicians" not Republicans or Democrats).

[Ken]

By the way, the article was in Sept 14. 2004 edition, page A21, in case you read this a few days from today.