Candidates take stands on gun control

[middlefinger]

Candidates take stands on gun control

Of six hopefuls for Senate, House, only one favors assault weapons ban, ammo limits.



Editor's note: This is part of an occasional series examining federal candidates' positions on important issues.

WASHINGTON — The massacre that killed 12 movie patrons and injured 58 more in Colorado has rekindled speculation over whether stricter federal gun laws could prevent such tragedies.

Citing the shootings, President Barack Obama this week stressed the need to reduce gun violence, but stopped short of calling for specific policies. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has criticized both Obama and Mitt Romney for avoiding the topic as presidential candidates.

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Gun control groups such as the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence renewed calls for legislation, while foes of further gun control, like the National Rifle Association, said more laws aren't the answer.

In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed a 10-year ban on certain semiautomatic assault weapons. Congress let it expire in 2004, and there's been little political appetite to take it up again.

A congresswoman from Colorado vowed this week to push for a federal law banning high-capacity ammunition clips — the Aurora shooter used a 100-round magazine, officials say — but conceded it faces long odds given the political influence of the gun lobby.

"There's been a group of us working on this for many, many years," Democrat Diana DeGette told the Los Angeles Times, "but we can't seem to get it brought up by [congressional] leadership."

The guns and ammunition allegedly used by suspect James E. Holmes at the midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" were purchased legally. He had 6,000 rounds of ammunition bought over the Internet, according to authorities, and four guns including an AR-15 assault rifle, a shotgun and a handgun.

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., introduced a bill to ban ammunition magazines capable of holding 10 rounds or more after U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz. was shot in the head and six others were killed in January 2011 outside a grocery store in Tucson.

Amid the renewed debate, The Morning Call asked candidates for three congressional seats whether there should be a ban on assault weapons, and/or a limit on how much ammunition an individual can purchase. The races are U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, and U.S. House in the 15th and 17th districts, which together span the Lehigh Valley.

U.S. Senate

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., has long been a gun rights advocate. His Senate office said he would not support legislation banning assault weapons or limiting ammunition purchases.

At an appearance Monday at the Pennsylvania Press Club in Harrisburg, Casey reiterated his support for the Second Amendment when asked about the need for gun control in the wake of the Colorado shootings.

"I don't think new legislation is going to positively impact the situation that horrified all of us, that nightmare in Colorado," he said. "There are a lot of ways to address this situation other than simply having an ideological battle over the Second Amendment."

Casey went on to talk about strengthening the COPS program, in which federal and state taxpayers provide money to local governments for more police officers, and spending more on law enforcement.

Casey's opponent, Republican Tom Smith, a former coal company owner from Armstrong County, would also oppose any restrictions on types of guns and amount of ammunition sold.

"I support the Second Amendment, and without limiting the freedoms of law-abiding citizens, we should examine what can be done to keep us safe," Smith said in a statement from his campaign.

In an interview Smith offered no immediate ideas, saying, "It's never good to regulate from emotions." Asked about what can be done to improve citizens' safety, Smith said, "Let's have that discussion."

Smith's campaign website describes him as a lifelong sportsman and a longtime member of the National Rifle Association.

15{+t}{+h} Congressional District

Republican Congressman Charlie Dent said he would be against reinstating a ban on assault weapons or restrictions on ammunition. He said he and his sons might go through 300 rounds in one afternoon at a sporting club where they shoot clay pigeons.

"I believe existing laws give law enforcement the tools they need," he said. Among those he has supported: criminal background and mental health checks on people applying to buy a gun.

Rick Daugherty, the Democrat challenging Dent, said he is also against reinstating an assault weapons ban, saying it would do nothing to prevent such tragedies and runs afoul of the Second Amendment.

Daugherty also said he is against restricting ammunition purchases. He said it would unfairly punish hunters and target shooters, who often buy ammunition in bulk to save money.

17{+t}{+h} Congressional District

Republican Laureen Cummings, a Lackawanna County nurse and small-business owner, said she opposes an assault weapons ban and limiting how much ammunition an individual can purchase.

"Our Second Amendment rights are given to us to protect our First Amendment rights against tyranny," Cummings said. "It wasn't so we could all go hunting."

Democrat Matt Cartwright, a Scranton lawyer, said he does support an assault weapons ban, saying Americans don't need such weapons in their homes. He would also support "reasonable" ammunition purchase limits, according to a statement released by his campaign.

Cartwright said he is strongly in favor of Americans' right to bear arms.

"Matt supports Pennsylvania hunters and believes that the vast majority of gun owners are responsible, safe and law-abiding citizens," the statement said. "He will vote against any effort to restrict citizens' right to own rifles, shotguns or handguns."



WHERE THEY STAND



•Assault weapon ban

NO: Casey, Smith, Dent, Daugherty, Cummings

YES: Cartwright

•Limits on ammunition purchases

NO: Casey, Smith, Dent, Daugherty, Cummings

YES: Cartwright

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-p...736,full.story

[Jrdn0331]

When are politicians and average citizens going to learn that banning / confiscating weapons from the good people will NOT stop the evil people? Evil will continue to do evil, laws or no laws, bans or no bans. If you really want to see a bunch of pipe dream living protectionalist morons, read the entire Brady campaign website. False information mixed with fear tactics, typical liberalism, you know.

[middlefinger]

[RMP518]

BAN Cartwright!!!

[twoguns]

When are politicians and average citizens going to learn that banning / confiscating weapons from the good people will NOT stop the evil people? Evil will continue to do evil, laws or no laws, bans or no bans. If you really want to see a bunch of pipe dream living protectionalist morons, read the entire Brady campaign website. False information mixed with fear tactics, typical liberalism, you know.

Government actors of all stripe understand that confiscating weapons is the key to controlling masses of people...and government actors are some of the most horrific evil-doers known to history!

The 20th Century proved that governments have a nasty habit of turning against their own people. It is easiest to do when the people are disarmed