LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/wires/20010604/tCB00V7744.html

Monday, June 4, 2001

Gun Control Group Sues Ashcroft

Associated Press Writer

    WASHINGTON--A gun control group filed a lawsuit Monday against
Attorney General John Ashcroft, arguing that he is illegally delaying
regulations on background checks for weapons purchases.
    The Violence Policy Center alleges that Ashcroft intends to
eventually toss the regulations out.
    "They are trying to sneak under the radar screen and avoid the public
scrutiny that would come if they were to do this up front," Violence
Policy Center litigation director Mathew Nosanchuk said.
    The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Washington.
    The Clinton administration regulation would require that records from
background checks be kept for 90 days after a handgun purchase is
attempted. The idea is to give the FBI time to check for fraud and abuse
in the system, supporters say.
    But the National Rifle Association said keeping such records raises
privacy concerns. The NRA filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Janet
Reno to dispose of the records immediately after background checks are
conducted. The suit was dismissed in U.S. District Court in Washington,
but it is being appealed to the Supreme Court.
    "Since when is it the federal government's business to be keeping
that kind of private information about lawful citizens?" asked NRA
spokesman Bill Powers.
    Ashcroft has twice delayed putting the Clinton administration rule in
place.
    Justice Department spokeswoman Susan Dryden said the delays are
allowing a thorough review of the regulation. She added that until a final
decision is made the department is adhering to the old guideline of
preserving the background check information for 180 days.
    In 1998, Ashcroft, then a senator from Missouri, voted in favor of an
amendment that sought to instantly destroy background check documents. The
amendment was defeated.
    Ashcroft stoked concerns last week after it was disclosed that he
wrote a letter to the NRA's chief lobbyist, Jim Baker, reaffirming his
view that an American's right to bear arms is guaranteed by the
Constitution.
    "We have great concerns about Attorney General John Ashcroft's
commitment to upholding gun laws," Nosanchuk said.
   
- - -
    On the Net:
    Violence Policy Center: http://www.vpc.org/
    Justice Department: http://www.usdoj.gov
    National Rifle Association: http://www.nra.org/

Copyright 2001 Los Angeles Times

I think Ashcroft is committed to upholding gun laws. He is upholding the Second Amendment - the Constitution is the most important law on the books.

I really hope that this one is tossed out and that the VPC has to pay 100% of the court costs.

Mike

These phony's make a living by attacking things. If they ever were successful at taking guns away, they would need another project to keep the money flowing into their pockets.  They are self-serving money sucking parasites  that attach themselves to the wallets of the stupid. If they were good at what they do, they would be making a good living at a legitimate job in the free market place. These sons of bitches better never make the mistake of begging on my property. I run them off ugly.

Uphold the Constitution? What a concept!