Party position on guns= 2002.

[Wcross]

http://www.democrats.org/news/200207010002.html


June 29th,2002

Remarks by DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe at Montana State Democratic Party Convention








"Along those lines, I want to make one thing very clear: The Democratic Party supports the right of responsible, law-abiding Americans to safely own and operate firearms.

I grew up with guns. I hunted as a boy in upstate New York, and I continue to hunt today. I think it's terrific that the Montana Democrats have a new Hunter and Outdoor Sports Roundtable, and I will not lead a political party that would defy the sporting tradition that is so deeply embedded in the American cultural fabric.

"But you wouldn't know any of this if you watch television or read the newspapers. Because we've allowed the Republicans to distort our position on guns...to question our commitment to religious faith...to smear us as anti-family. Instead of fighting back, we've let them use these as wedge issues to depict us as hostile to mainstream values. c But I will not let that happen again. I will not let Republicans question our patriotism or our values.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------It seems to me that there is no call for greater gun control measures in this speech. I think the DNC may have started to understand gun control doesn't bring in as many votes as it takes away.
The Republicans are using the gun issue against us because it works. When the American people see WELL THOUGHT OUT gun laws that will work coming from the democrats, they will be more apt to agree.

I suggest the party advocate stronger enforcement of current laws. Any new legislation should be well thought out, not "feel good" laws that have no effect on criminal homocide. Face it, when the assualt weapons ban was passed, homocides from long guns were around 3-5% of all murders commited with guns. The law did nothing but INCREASE sales of rifles modified to be in complience of the new law.

The Republicans are using the gun issue against us because we have made it too easy for them. Why shouldn't they? All is fair in politics these days.







-

[kwolf68]

1. Goodie

Guns for you...guns for me...
Guns are great, can't you see?

Does anyone NOT fucking hunt in this nation anymore?

sporting tradition that is so deeply embedded in the American cultural fabric.

Sports? One side armed with semi-automatic rifles and the other side doesn't know there is even a game going on.

Tradition? You mean traditions like when women were treated as chattel, blacks as livestock and people bathed once a month whether they needed it or not?

America culture? Deeply embedded? It is deeply embedded by the multi-billion dollar sport-hunting and gun industry.

Hell, I'm still waiting for the "humans were a hunting species" argument...and all the pseudo-ecological garbage. Shit...who in the Democratic field DOES NOT hunt? Dean Does..Kerry does...Clark does...I guess DK doesn't, but hell I dont know.


The Democrats are now officially the stupidest party in America. While they are trying to blow the redneck south, the Nascar vote and now freaking Western wise-use and states rights fanatics, it is their base they take for granted.

I don't have a problem w/ people having guns, or even if folks like the ritualistic slaughter of innocent life forms, but does the Democratic Party have to put it on the top shelf like this?

[kwolf68]

2. More

traditional American values ...

What the fuck are those? Genocide? Slavery? Right wing code words now Terry? Is that how we are going to win?

I guess he had to put this trip on for the folks he was talking to, but ... but...

[billbuckhead]

3. Saddam used to shoot a gun in the air at his speeches

Maybe we should run him.

[shatoga]

4. see? RNC divide and rule has many adherents who are self deluded

some of them even think setting Democrats at each others' throats on what should be a pro-choice issue is OK.

How deluded can any Republican "fellow traveller" be?
Stand for the US Constitution (all of it-every single word)
or oppose our constitution and support the Bush dictatorship instead.
IMWIO

InMyWellInformedOpinion
as a former rightwing insider

divide and rule.

"The best way to handle the opposition is to control it ourselves." VI Lennin/ Republican National Committee/IMHO

[Procopius]

5. You're believing lies Terry

We need not pander to the NRA.

[LastDemInIdaho]

6. Should all gun owners register their guns?

Yes? No?

How about placing limits on how many guns a law abiding citizen can own?

How many?

[Wcross]

7. No & no

Registration is the first step to confiscation. Happened in England, Australia, and is being resisted by the gun owners in Canada. It happened in New york city and California.

I will never register any of my firearms, registration is not acceptable to me. Registration will make my now legal behavior a crime, making me a criminal. Do you anti-gun folks get it yet?

Criminals will be excempt from registration of course, so what effect on gun homocides would it have? None what so ever.

I am sure someone will say I am paranoid, that registration is for "the children" and will reduce crime. I say, look at England, Australia, California, and NYC. In every case, registration was followed by confiscation. The Gun owners in Canada know this, and the American gun owners know this. It will never happen, if it is attempted, I will not comply.