As part of the new agenda we should revive the assault weapons ban.

[yellowdogmi]

I think there are some advantages to trying to revive this issue. It will put republicans in a place where they have to stand with or against their NRA benefactors. * will also have to back this because of his bipartisanship pledge. The only downside is that the democratic canidate in 08 will have to tell hunters we are not going to take away their guns. The canidate will have to do that anyway. What do you think?

[Alexander]

1. Here's an idea: Assault weapons ban AND allow concealed carry.

That way the hunters and potential Dem voters won't have to worry about the Dems "taking away their guns".

[madmusic]

2. Better regulation, no ban.

Gun owners do have some constitutional protection, but not as much under regulations.

[Wonk]

3. Just don't try banning popcorn. I think we'll need some for this thread.

:popcorn:

[yellowdogmi]

6. Wasn't trying to start anything.

It is just they have acted like they want bipartisanship. Let's make them prove it. I am not sold on the idea. I can see some downsides and some backlash. Just trying to test the waters. Enjoy the popcorn. Besides I haven't had a thread locked in a long time.

[4morewars]

7. LOL, good one.

Let me get some a that, thanks.

:popcorn:

[blondeatlast]

33. Long time, no see! Here, have a Coke and pass that over here. nt

[karlrschneider]

4. It doesn't even deserve discussion, really.

...

[eallen]

5. It's all downside, politically.

The Republicans would love to be handed this issue: "Look, those Dems, despite what they say, really do want to take your guns." It will not be enough for the Democratic candidate in '08 to tell hunters that they will still have their rifles. That's what Al Gore tried in 2000, and he still lost his home state.

[John Q. Citizen]

8. Other: Allow localities and States to make there own decisions on this,

[William769]

11. Isn't that the status quo now?

[Spider Jerusalem]

9. It's a thoroughly stupid idea...

and it's a thoroughly stupid law that served no actual purpose in the first place (fully automatic weapons have been illegal for private ownership since 1934; the so-called "assault weapons ban" outlaws guns because, apparently, they are scary looking).

[XOKCowboy]

10. The first thing I hear from my friends back in OK

and my Repug friends here in Denver when you ask why they support the Repugs is "The Dems want to take our guns". They hunt. They've grown up owning hunting rifles and handguns. They don't associate assault weapons with terrorists. They associate them with their ol' Browning 12 guage they got from their grandfather.

This is a terrible idea and will only perpetuate the stereotype. We've got many, many other more important things to deal with right now. Why open that can of worms?

[yellowdogmi]

12. I wasn't trying to open a can of worms.

The issue has been brought out in every election that I remember anyway. What I thought might occur by putting this on the agenda is that the presidents pledge of bipartisanship would be shown to be the bullshit that it is. There may have been parts of this that I did not think about. sorry.
:shrug:


Just asking?

[XOKCowboy]

13. No worries!

Just wanted to point out the "redneck" POV! :)

[yellowdogmi]

17. Thanks.

I am well aware of the redneck pov. Probably could be called a redneck myself. Growing up I hunted with my dad every year. Most of my friends back home are rednecks (of the freeper variety) which is why I moved away.
:hi:

[XOKCowboy]

21. LOL Me too...

Note the "X" in my handle. The best Okie is an Ex-Okie. Shows intelligence.

[MGD]

23. The President had nothing to do with the AWB dieing.

It was killed on the congressional floor by congressmen responding to their constituencies. There are now enough Democratic congressmen with A+ ratings from the NRA to ensure that it will die again and we'll be done before we get started.

[DBoon]

14. there are better ways for progressive to reduce crime

maybe work on reducing child abuse and increasing employment among young men

[last1standing]

15. Good idea, bad timing.

I'm all for reviving the assault weapons ban but with a scant majority in the senate there's no chance it would pass right now. This is one of those issues, like marriage equality, that can't be done by the legislature without being in reaction to mass popular will.

We need another Million Mom March or some other catalyzing event to bring this back.

[meldroc]

16. Here comes the circular firing squad...

[BootinUp]

19. Thats a great pic. lol.

[BootinUp]

18. No new federal bans

We do not have a mandate to do that. Let local jurisdictions deal with their own unique situation and political realities. Crack down on people selling guns illegally , and not following the regs.

[upi402]

20. it would activate the NRA guys that just voted Dem for the 1st time

No kidding, I know these fellers. This would light them up for sure.
Bad idea if you want Dems to win in '08.

[MGD]

22. Sure, just look how well that worked out for us the last time.

If we put that on the table, we deserve the asskicking we'll take for it and, to be perfectly honest, my support for the Democratic party ends the moment it goes on the table.

[REP]

24. Read 'The Progressive Argument for Guns' in The December Harper's Mag

I'll borrow a line from it: we can agree to a ban on assault rifle ownership if it means no assualt rifles are used by the state on citizens.

[readmoreoften]

25. Sounds like a plan. /nt

[yellowdogmi]

26. That is the best argument against it I have heard yet.

I guess that I was way off base here. Since that is the case can we come up with other issues that will highlight the lack of bipartisanship of the president? I know that the minimum wage is on the agenda and I am sure that they are going to try and tack on some sort of poison pill amendment that will make it unpalatable to us. Are there any other Ideas out there that will highlight what a bunch of hypocrites they are?


Wooooo Hooooo One thousand posts.
Damn I was hoping for a better place to use this up then my own stupid poll.

[REP]

28. Thank You and Congratulations!

Even though I lifted the line from the essay, I'm still going to take your compliment. Do get the December issue (I just got my copy in the mail today); it is worth reading.

And congratulatons on 1000 posts!

[readmoreoften]

27. If the democratic party uses its clout to push such a fucking bullshit issue

I won't "leave" it, I'll give up on it. If we want to stop senseless death how about ending Iraq, helping in Darfur, or developing a reasonable health care plan.

[Hippo_Tron]

29. Either pass some real gun control legislation or don't do it at all

IMO the AWB was an attempt to make it look like we were doing something without really doing it.

[Swamp Rat]

30. Talk to me after we ban the neocons and the BFEE from the USA first.

Maybe after all the fascists are in prison or in their graves will I consider any legislation concerning the right to bear arms in this country.

[Yukari Yakumo]

31. Oppose. Totally, totally oppose.

The whole point of the second amendment is so the citizenry can be properly armed to defend themselves against any enemies of the state.

If anyone has been paying attention to things this past year, the greatest enemy of the state almost was the state itself. We need to be allowed to arm ourselves in case BushCo or any like-minded twits decided that free elections and congress are irrelevant.

[scrinmaster]

32. It's a horrible idea

"Assault weapons" are just regular semi-automatic rifles and some pistols, with some relatively non-PC features. I'm sure benEzra has pointed this out dozens of times, but an assault weapon ban is completley pointless, just banning the "evil black rifles", and probably undoing our victory this election. We need to completely forget about gun control, and probably work to get shall-issue CCW in all states, not just may-issue like in California or New York, where only the rich and powerful are allowed to CCW to protect themselves.