JK Answers AGS Survey 9/28/04

[Romulus]

And, according to the news release, Kerry was the only candidate who kept his promise to answer AGS' questions:

The Bush campaign initially agreed to respond to the Americans for Gun Safety survey, but ultimately declined to provide responses after repeated requests and a delay of four months. :eyes:


Kerry's survey responses dispel many of the NRA talking points about him and what his views are concerning firearms ownership. Disseminate this.

*Note: apologies to mods if this violates the DU copyright rules, but there seems to be no copyright notice by AGS*

Some highlights from the responses:

(Q)Do you believe that the Second Amendment to the Constitution confers an individual right to bear arms or a collective right that allows for state militias to be armed?

(A)I believe that the Constitution, our laws, and our customs protect law-abiding American citizens’ right to own firearms.


(Q)If you believe that the Second Amendment confers an individual right to own a gun, what types of restrictions (if any) do you believe are permissible on that right?

(A)I believe that the right of gun ownership comes with responsibilities. I support the Brady Law and the assault weapons ban and believe they are constitutional. I believe that a proposed law requiring background checks for all firearm sales at gun shows is a reasonable restriction that is necessary to protect law-abiding citizens, which is certainly permissible under the Second Amendment.

*snip*

(Q)It is a federal crime to lie on the background check form used for prospective gun purchasers, and the crime of “lie and buy” is committed about 150,000 times every year. But fewer than 600 of these crimes are prosecuted, meaning 99.6% of the criminals who commit this crime escape prosecution. Do you regard this crime as serious, and if so, how would you make prosecution of it more of a priority?

(A)This is a serious crime – “lie and buy” is, after all, a criminal attempting to arm himself. I will ensure that my Attorney General will prosecute significantly more of the perpetrators of this crime, putting teeth behind the law and using it to deter other criminals from fraudulently obtaining firearms in the future.

It’s time to end the hypocrisy about enforcing our gun laws. George Bush and the NRA lashed out at the Clinton Administration for failing to enforce this law. But President Bush hasn’t uttered a word about John Ashcroft’s lackluster enforcement record.

*snip*

(Q)The Assault Weapons Ban is due to expire in September 2004. Do you favor:

- Expanding the ban to include additional firearms (H.R.2038);
- Renewing the ban as it is (S.1034); OR
- Letting the ban expire?

(A)I support reauthorizing the Assault Weapons Ban. I was proud to support the ban in 1994, and I will support it again. George Bush promised to support reauthorization of the Assault Weapons Ban, yet so far, he hasn’t lifted a finger to do so. Presidents must show leadership on issues as important as this one, not just play politics with them.

*snip*

(Q)Do you support the bill currently before Congress that would grant broad legal immunity to gun manufacturers, distributors and dealers? (S.659)

(A)I oppose the gun industry immunity bill currently before the Congress, and if it were to come to me as President, I would veto it.

I don’t want to see the gun industry bankrupted by frivolous lawsuits, but the current immunity bill is simply a give-away to a special interest. If the federal government is going to provide blanket immunity for a particular industry – which is not something we do very often – we ought to at least demand that they act responsibly. .


(Q)Do you support federal licensing of gun owners (or a federal requirement that states license gun owners)?

(A)No. This is an area that has been traditionally left up to the states.


(Q)Do you support federal registration of gun purchases (or a federal requirement that states register gun purchases)?

(A)No.


*snip/more*

[VotefurKerry]

1. Kerry doesn't support gun registration

So why does the NRA bitch about people's hunting shotguns being taken away under Kerry??????????

[enfield collector]

2. because he wants to ban semi-auto shotguns, like those used by

about half the duck hunters, it's in the new AWB that he co-sponsored and it's been discussed to death here.

[VotefurKerry]

3. Sure he does

You mean after he was given one in West Virginia? :eyes:

[enfield collector]

6. exactly like that one, kind of ironic really.

[FatSlob]

4. I judge it as an unintended consequence of the bill.

It looks like not enough research was done before Senator Kerry signed onto it. I would blame his staff. BTW, I am one of the people who is thrilled that the AWB expired.

[Wickerman]

5. I seriously worry about the RKBA under another Bush term

The Bush campaign initially agreed to respond to the Americans for Gun Safety survey, but ultimately declined to provide responses after repeated requests and a delay of four months.

Bush is afraid to tell the American people what he really wants. With the sweeping powers of the Patriot Act I am afraid what his actual stance may be.

At least Kerry lays his view bare for all to see, like them or not.

[enfield collector]

7. bush is not pro-RKBA, when he said he supported renewing

the AWB he really meant it.

[FatSlob]

8. Strictly from an RKBA perspective.

Bush is a largely unknown.

It is known that he supports concealed carry, by his signing of a concealed carry law while Governor, and his signature on the LEO carry law.
He claimed to support the AWB, but did nothing to further it...
His Solicitor General took the position, in front of the Supreme Court, that the 2nd Amendment refers to an individual right, his Attorney General has expressed similar sentiments. To what extent they meant is unknown.

Largely, Bush is an unknown. He has expressed neither support nor disapproval of most other freedom control bills.

Bush is an unknown.

[Wickerman]

9. Judging from his Patriot Act support and the erosion of freedoms

in that bill I find it safe to say that he is no respecter of freedom for the common folk and think that the 2nd amendment would be particularly worrisome for a ruler such as him.

[FatSlob]

10. I would second that speculation.

We just don't know, and that is scary.

[enfield collector]

11. it's not going to matter either way in 29 days.

[FatSlob]

12. Or a little longer.

I fully expect lawsuits.