Post by Mitch HanK Sauer on Nov 19, 2003 22:17:48 GMT -5
Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408
www.gunowners.org
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Politics is full of irony.
On the one hand, it looks like some folks in the nation's capital
are finally starting to realize that banning guns is political
suicide. On the other hand, those who have benefited most from "gun
politics" are about to shoot themselves in the foot.
Several media reports within the past few weeks have reported that
Democratic presidential candidates are running to the center, trying
their best to distance themselves from the Brady Bunch.
The Washington Post reported in October that "the gun issue
contributed to Gore's defeat" in 2000 and could "backfire on the
party again next year" if Democrats do not quickly lose their
anti-gun image.
For this reason, Democratic presidential candidates are "distancing
themselves from tough gun control," the article said, "reversing a
decade of rhetoric and advocacy by the Democratic Party in favor of
federal regulation of firearms."
To be sure, many top-level Democrats have finally realized that
support for gun control cost them control of the House, the Senate
and the White House.
Thus, given the politics of the issue, it is surprising that the
only legislation likely to pass on firearms issues, as this session
of Congress comes to an end, are anti-gun bills.
And Republicans are leading the charge! Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
and Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) are the chief sponsors of
legislation extending the ban on non-existent "plastic guns."
This legislation is expected to be rushed to the Senate floor
shortly. While such a ban may seem harmless, it sets a dangerous
precedent. If non-existent guns can be banned as a means of
preventing danger, certainly real guns, which stand ready to defend
millions of homes, can be seen as a greater danger.
While the ban on non-existent guns is on the fast track, consider
the pro-gun bills that are still languishing in Congress:
* Legislation to protect the firearms industry from frivolous
lawsuits (S. 659) has awaited action in the Senate for several
months. Such lawsuits threaten the very existence of gun
makers, rendering them unable to produce real firearms, not to
mention futuristic firearms.
* Concealed carry reciprocity is a vital issue which has yet to
see the light of day in either chamber. Rep. John Hostettler
(R-IN) is the primary legislative sponsor in the House and now
has 64 cosponsors on H.R. 990.
* Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) is still awaiting an initial hearing on
his Citizen's Self-Defense Act (H.R. 648), a bill which would
protect citizens who use a gun in self-defense from anti-gun
prosecutors and judges, even if the gun was carried without a
permit or possessed without a license.
The Republican leadership suspended the rules in the House and
passed the plastic gun ban on a voice vote. Why not employ the same
determination and pass any of the above-mentioned bills that would
advance Second Amendment rights?
Why not force the Transportation Security Administration to REALLY
start arming pilots, rather than letting them proceed at their
current snail's pace? (At the agency's current rate of arming
pilots, it will take 15 years to arm all the pilots who wish to
defend their passengers and crew.)
ACTION: Please urge your Senators to oppose ALL versions of the gun
ban that is being rushed to the President's desk. The three
versions currently floating around Capitol Hill are bills introduced
by Hatch (S. 1835), Kennedy (S. 1774) and Sensenbrenner (H.R. 3348).
Instead, ask your Senators to pass S. 659 (the gun industry
protection act) without ANY anti-gun amendments attached to it.
This bill is vitally important, as the gun industry could be
crippled if the anti-gun lawsuits that have been launched by the
Brady Bunch crowd are not brought to an end.
TOOLS FOR ACTION:
Please visit the Gun Owners Legislative Action Center at
www.gunowners.org/activism.htm to send the pre-written
message below to your Senators.
You can also call your Senators toll free at 1-800-648-3516.
----- Pre-written message -----
Dear Senator:
The Washington Post reported in October that "the gun issue
contributed to Gore's defeat" in 2000 and could "backfire on the
party again next year" if Democrats do not quickly lose their
anti-gun image.
For this reason, Democratic presidential candidates are "distancing
themselves from tough gun control," the article said, "reversing a
decade of rhetoric and advocacy by the Democratic Party in favor of
federal regulation of firearms."
To be sure, many top-level Democrats have finally realized that
support for gun control cost them control of the House, the Senate
and the White House.
Thus, given the politics of the issue, it is surprising that the
only legislation likely to pass on firearms issues, as this session
of Congress comes to an end, is an anti-gun bill.
Instead of passing a ban on non-existent "plastic guns," please push
for S. 659 -- a bill that will protect the firearms industry from
frivolous lawsuits. This bill has been awaiting action in the
Senate for several months now and has 54 Senate cosponsors.
Again, please vote AGAINST any gun ban, whether it is offered by
Sen. Hatch (S. 1835) or Sen. Kennedy (S. 1774). I would also urge
you to oppose the plastic gun ban which passed in the House
(H.R. 3348).
Instead, I would urge you to vote for S. 659, without ANY anti-gun
amendments being attached to it. Thank you.
Sincerely,
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