Not just over the pic, but the story is just .



www.detnews.com/2004/politics/0409/14/a03-273172.htm

Distracted Congress lets weapons ban go

Last-minute effort to extend law fails; president takes heat.

By Larry Bivins / Gannett News Service

WASHINGTON -- Despite overwhelming public support, a 10-year-old ban on semiautomatic assault weapons expired Monday, raising questions about the political viability of gun control issues in post-September 11 America.

A last-ditch push to renew the popular ban -- part of a 1994 crime-fighting bill signed by President Clinton -- succumbed to a shortage of political muscle and the might of the pro-gun lobby in a presidential election year.

Even lawmakers who supported maintaining the ban found themselves distracted by other issues, including homeland security, the threat of terrorism and the war in Iraq.

"There've just been too many other things that have dominated the front page," said Stephen Hess, a George Washington University professor and political expert at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank.

Some political experts say lawmakers supporting gun control measures since the assault weapons ban was passed have felt the wrath of the gun rights lobby, led by the 4.3 million-member National Rifle Association.

In the 2000 presidential race, the pro-gun group campaigned hard in Tennessee against Al Gore, who had called for licensing of gun owners early in his campaign. Gore lost his home state and the presidential election in a close, controversial contest.

The group spent nearly $11 million lobbying on gun issues from 1997 to 2003, compared with almost $2 million spent by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the leading gun control group, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Last week, the International Association of Chiefs of Police urged Bush to call on Congress to extend the ban.

Bush has said he would sign renewal legislation, but it was up to lawmakers to send him a bill.

Until recently, the assault weapons ban was largely ignored in the presidential race. But Democratic candidate John Kerry used the issue to attack Bush on Monday.

"George Bush gave police officers his word that he would keep the ban," Kerry said while promoting his crime-fighting plan. "But when it came time to extend it, Bush's powerful friends in the gun lobby asked him to look the other way. He just couldn't resist, and he said 'sure'."

Sarah Brady, who heads the Brady Campaign, blamed Bush for the death of the assault weapons ban. She said Bush was disingenuous in his stand.

"The bottom line is the onus goes to the president," she said. "He didn't use his leadership. If he really wanted that bill, he could have gotten it."

Peter Hamm, a spokesman for the Brady Campaign, said the demise of the assault weapons ban merely reflects the up-and-down nature of the struggle for tighter gun restrictions.

"It's never going to go away, so folks who read into the demise of the assault weapons ban would be wrong to think that gun control has no value."

Jim Kessler, policy director at Americans for Gun Safety, agreed that the political climate was not conducive to passing gun control measures.

But he was optimistic that things could change after the election.

Those are two UGLY, UGLY people

Just hit me,

 TURTLEHEAD and the Lurch.  
The monsters are sad.  

I think I'am gonna hurl !

Herman Munster and the Crypt Keeper.

Yikes! It looks like they're gunna scrog! Do you think Edwards will be jealous?

Quoted: Herman Munster and the Crypt Keeper.

ROGER THAT!!!!

why do they look so sad?

its a stupid law that banned flash surpressors and bayonet lugs

oh wait I know why... because its a huge blow to their agenda.


and yea, VERY ugly people.

"George Bush gave police officers his word that he would keep the ban," Kerry said while promoting his crime-fighting plan. "But when it came time to extend it, Bush's powerful friends in the gun lobby asked him to look the other way. He just couldn't resist, and he said 'sure'."

What a retard. Why is Kerry talking about police officers? He doesnt have our support, and we certainly dont need his "protection".

Most police unions are endorsing BUSH I believe.... at least my union, the NYCPBA and the FOP is....

Sarah needs to get her ass kicked

Quoted: Sarah needs to get her ass kicked

Don't worry, God and her smoking has already taken care of that.

Quoted: Not just over the pic, but the story is just .

Yea, Ditto that.

Peter Hamm, a spokesman for the Brady Campaign, said the demise of the assault weapons ban merely reflects the up-and-down nature of the struggle for tighter gun restrictions  against everything that is great about the birth and growth of this country.  ....     .

Hamm went on to say that he is doing everything he can to turn us into a third-world dictatorship.  

"It's never going to go away, so folks who read into the demise of the assault weapons ban would be wrong to think that gun control has no value."

It's a tired quote but the TRUTH.  Hitler and Stalin, and so many other little evil fuckers totally agree with your sorry ass.

Jim Kessler, policy director at Americans for Gun Safety, agreed that the political climate was not conducive to passing gun control measures.

 
Thank GOD for that.  Maybe the sheeple are getting a clue.  Yea, I know better.

Americans for Gun Safety

  Oxy-moron.  
Jim Kessler, policy director of Orwell's double-speak.  

But he was optimistic that things could change after the election.

Wish in one, Crap in the other.  See which fills up faster.  

FUCK Kessler!  In his ass.  While he's in prison.  By a large-tattooed-mean-sumbitch.  No Pics, please.
Nevermind.  That's rude.  Lord, we pray that he die of totally natural causes, without violence, in his sleep.  Soon.     just fill in the blank with your thoughts of traitors.

Man, those two take FUGLY to a whole new level.  Walking corpses, both of 'em.