Norton: House To Vote To Repeal All D.C. Gun Laws

[Freddie Stubbs]

Kerry Blasts Bush At Press Conference

POSTED: 12:55 pm EDT September 13, 2004

WASHINGTON -- The Delegate for the District of Columbia says the U.S. House of Representatives will soon schedule a vote to repeal all D.C. gun laws and that the bill has enough cosponsors to pass.

However, Norton said she believes the bill has a decent chance of failing in the Senate.

Norton spoke at a press conference Monday morning on the reauthorization of the assault weapons ban with Sen. John Kerry.

"I thank Senator Kerry for leading the national fight to eliminate military style assault weapons from our country, to authorize the COPS bill, and to assure a genuine national approach for fighting crime and the risk of terrorism in our streets. Particularly, in the absence of Presidential leadership," she said.

more: http://www.nbc4.com/news/3726158/detail.html

[faithnotgreed]

1. thats my rep! great line: "in the absence of presidential leadership"

[yardwork]

2. This is a big mistake for the Republicans imo

I think that this is being done because of pressure and money from the shadowy gun manufacturers who fund the NRA. There's big drug money in this.

The gun lobby has gone too far. The police associations will fight this, and that is going to embarrass the Republicans.

[lastknowngood]

3. Wrong the FOP endorsed the shrub today. The police would

rather have the guns on the street than vot Dem. That's how stupid the repugs are.

[Jack The Tab]

5. do you have a link for that?

Not that I don't believe the FOP wouldn't, I just want to see it with my own eyes

[Romulus]

8. here you go (from the gun Dungeon)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=118x86396

[struggle4progress]

12. Many in law enforcement do support the ban:

Police, Gun Control Advocates Express Concern Over Lapse of US Assault Weapon Ban
Robin Rupli
Washington
13 Sep 2004, 19:30 UTC

<snip> "Unless Congress acts, the firearms of choice for terrorists, drug dealers, gang members and thugs will be back on our streets, where once again our officers will be outgunned by criminals," said Joe Polisar, President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

He spoke out against the firearms that will once again be made available on American streets, 19 weapons specifically, including AK-47s, Uzis, and TEC-9s. These are guns designed for the military, featuring clips that can fire up to 100 rounds of ammunition and easily penetrate a policeman's bulletproof vest. Alabama Policeman Michael Colins says he lost three of his fellow officers in a deadly spray from an assault weapon.

"They were designed for the military. If they're going to shoot us, they do shoot in our streets," he added. "We have people getting shot with assault weapons now." <snip>

http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=A1ED3F5A-EDAB-4930-B83E82C652E89B2B&title=Police%2C%20Gun%20Control%20Advocates%20Express%20Concern%20Over%20Lack%20of%20US%20Assault%20Weapon%20Ban%20&catOID=45C9C78F-88AD-11D4-A57200A0CC5EE46C&categoryname=USA

FOP has endorsed Bush but I think it has everything to do with FOP wanting to carry concealed weapons.
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=36044

[ramapo]

4. F'ing Idiots

What the frig is wrong with people?

[Jack_DeLeon]

11. So do you think its fair...

that people almost everywhere else in this country have the right to keep and bear arms, but if you are unfortunate enough to live in DC that you shouldnt?

[davhill]

6. Great for NRA

Members who wish to hunt in the vast forests of DC.

[bluestateguy]

7. They have no respect for state and local government rights

As a gun control opponent nonetheless, I believe this is a decision for the people of DC, who have in the past voted to keep the ban. That is their decision, and I respect it, though I do not agree with it. These Republicans seem to be rather selective when it comes to state and local government rights.

[DoNotRefill]

15. Ummm...I thought State's Rights...

was the REPUBLICAN's battle cry????? :WTF:

[primavera]

16. Nice to hear you concede that

There is no lack of consensus in the District on this topic: the overwhelming majority of us favor strict control over guns, yet Souders bill also would deny the Districts elected officials "authority to enact laws or regulations that discourage or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms." It's like the renaming of Washington National Airport - with 86% registered Dems in the District, opposition to changing the name of the airport District residents own, use, and pay for was overwhelming, but when has the GOP ever given a shit about what the people want?

[silverpatronus]

9. and once again...

dc is the fed's punching bag.

dc needs proper representation YESTERDAY...

[Jack_DeLeon]

10. Wow is this true and is this what I think it means...

that the unconstituional gun restrictions in our nations capital will be eliminated?

[fortyfeetunder]

13. This makes some sense.

Think about it. Just in time for selection day. If * wins 2004 general election by a questionable means, you can expect folks to be taking to the streets. And with weapons now readily available, folks in DC can now arm themselves as they damn well please, martial law be damned. Stay tuned for American Revolution Part Deux.

[DoNotRefill]

14. Wait...handguns are practically banned in DC....

yet they have about the highest homicide rate in the country. So banning guns appears to have been ineffective, no?

[primavera]

17. No way to tell

Just a two minute walk across the bridge into Virginia, you can practically get guns automatically dispensed from 24 hour ATMs, which makes any attempt on our part to limit access to guns kind of a joke. Limiting access to guns may or may not have an effect on crime rates, but with free access to all the guns a homocidal maniac could ever desire but a scant block away, I don't think DC's attempt to restrict access to guns is effective enough to shed any light on the question.