OT, for Armed preppers: GOP braces for gun fight , Election-year battle looming over Clinton's new proposals

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/bluesky_bresnahan/20000208_xex_gop_braces_g.shtml

GOP braces for gun fight

Election-year battle looming over Clinton's new proposals

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By David M. Bresnahan ) 2000 WorldNetDaily.com

With President Clinton dramatically stepping up his war on guns in the past few weeks, Republican leaders are bracing for an increasingly bloody battle over gun control throughout this election year. "I think it's one [campaign issue] that Republicans run the risk of being beat up on pretty bad," North Dakota's Republican Gov. Edward T. Schafer told WorldNetDaily. "You know -- not caring about families, or crime, or these kind of things."

"But," he continued, "we do have this fundamental Constitutional right in our country that we're trying to defend. Somehow we're going to bring some balance to it."

If President Clinton has his way, individuals who wish to purchase a handgun will soon be required by law to obtain a gun license in the form of a photo ID, as announced in his State of the Union speech. In addition, Clinton wants to increase the size of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms in order to conduct a large investigation of about 1,000 gun dealers. Gov. Edward T. Schafer, R.-N.D., says Republicans will have their work cut out for them over the gun issue this election year.

Schafer, who is also chairman of the Republican Governors Association, said Republicans need to be prepared to deal with the very emotional gun issue throughout this election year.

"It's going to be a tough political issue," he said.

Critics of the president's aggressive new gun control proposals claim the administration's spin team, in concert with many Democrats running for office, have already begun to demonize Republican candidates on the gun control issue.

"Representing all Republican governors, all of us have some concerns where we get into a situation where we have to get a government-issued license, with people saying, 'Do this. Pass that. Don't do this, and then we'll allow you to buy a firearm' -- which is constitutionally awarded us as a grant and a guarantee to the people of the United States," said Schafer.

Gov. Marc Racicot, R -- Mont., told WorldNetDaily that although Republicans take the concerns of Americans about gun violence seriously, "The fact of the matter is, we need to enforce the laws that we have." Gov. Marc Racicot, R.-Mont., says the U.S. needs to do a better job of enforcing current gun laws.

The former prosecutor added, "You have a natural conflict here between a right that has been reserved by the people to themselves and achieving that balance of elimination of violence. And also, respecting the full right to bear arms as reserved in the Constitution to the people is going to continue to be a matter of debate.

"I believe we ought to focus, first of all, on being more aggressive with the laws that are in place, and making certain that anything that we consider in the future is fully respectful of the right that people have clearly reserved to themselves. I think there's even evidence available that suggests that there has been an increase in sales and procurement of weapons by the people of this country since all of these discussions have begun. I think, obviously, that indicates there is strong sentiment by the American people that this is a question that's difficult, but one that they expect to be answered with the very, very delicate balance being maintained," said Racicot.

Both governors told WorldNetDaily there is universal concern about the problem of gun violence. The challenge facing lawmakers, however, is the need to find a solution that will really work, rather than a solution that simply looks and sounds good in the context of its emotional election-year appeal.

Racicot also noted that there are new technologies that will soon become tools for making guns safer. He said people involved in the debate on all sides should be able to be thoughtful and willing to consider such developments. President Bill Clinton, after he surprised the nation with new gun control proposals in his recent State of the Union address.

Clinton has indicated he wants Congress to fund the development of a device that will make a gun incapable of firing by anyone other than the rightful owner. Racicot is open to new technology and changes in gun laws, he says, as long as those changes do not infringe on the right to keep and bear arms.

Schafer was a bit more hesitant to consider new gun laws, stressing that existing laws are not being enforced.

"I think everybody's concerned that we do have violence out there. We do have people using guns that shouldn't be. We have many, many [gun] laws on the books today. Do we need more laws, and are more laws going to help or change the situation? I'm not so sure that this gets to the crux of the matter," explained Schafer.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

David M. Bresnahan is an investigative journalist for WorldNetDaily.com

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), February 08, 2000

Answers

Smartguns article 2/8 WND

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/bluesky_dougherty/20000208_xnjdo_here_com e_.shtml

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), February 08, 2000.


Praise the Lord and pass the ammo!

Black Powder Kook

-- Y2Kook (Y2Kook@usa.net), February 08, 2000.


Too bad we don't have politicians with some cojones like that here in Ohio. Governor Taft lied outright when he said there would be no new gun control bills in Ohio. Now there are no less than three bills pending.

What do you think the

-- Powder (INPowder47keg@stands.for), February 08, 2000.


I might add that that was a lie while told he was campaigning for Gov.

-- Powder (Powder47keg@aol.com), February 08, 2000.

HoKie:

Reasoning makes no difference. You are going to lose this one. Think of me. I have all of these old hand guns with no numbers. Haven't been fired in a 1/2 century. How will these be handled?

Best wishes,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), February 08, 2000.



Yeah, Powder, (Ohio's new Governor) Taft flat lied during his campaign.

And then he didn't have the cajones to put forth the proposals himself. For one of those bills he drafted a super-ambitious lady Rep. named from Aurora, in NE Ohio.

The very liberal local press even had to admit that that ambitious Rep. has felt the blast she's provoked. This is a State Rep. who, in my experience, has absolutely no concern with her constituents -- so now she's laying back, hoping the storm will die down.

I've even heard rumors of recall petitions. Seems she may have misjudged her district!

-- Redeye in Ohio (cannot@work.com), February 08, 2000.


"You have a natural conflict here between a right that has been reserved by the people to themselves and achieving that balance of elimination of violence..."

Here is there mistake. Gun control does not decrease violence; it INCREASES it. Ask Victoria!

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), February 08, 2000.


uh, their mistake I meant to say...heh

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), February 08, 2000.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ