Jimmy Carter is at it again

[bubbiesdad]

What Happened to the Ban on Assault Weapons?

By JIMMY CARTER

Atlanta

THE evolution in public policy concerning the manufacture, sale and possession of semiautomatic assault weapons like AK-47s, AR-15s and Uzis has been very disturbing. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and I all supported a ban on these formidable firearms, and one was finally passed in 1994.

When the 10-year ban was set to expire, many police organizations — including 1,100 police chiefs and sheriffs from around the nation — called on Congress and President George W. Bush to renew and strengthen it. But with a wink from the White House, the gun lobby prevailed and the ban expired.

I have used weapons since I was big enough to carry one, and now own two handguns, four shotguns and three rifles, two with scopes. I use them carefully, for hunting game from our family woods and fields, and occasionally for hunting with my family and friends in other places. We cherish the right to own a gun and some of my hunting companions like to collect rare weapons. One of them is a superb craftsman who makes muzzle-loading rifles, one of which I displayed for four years in my private White House office.

But none of us wants to own an assault weapon, because we have no desire to kill policemen or go to a school or workplace to see how many victims we can accumulate before we are finally shot or take our own lives. That’s why the White House and Congress must not give up on trying to reinstate a ban on assault weapons, even if it may be politically difficult.

An overwhelming majority of Americans, including me and my hunting companions, believe in the right to own weapons, but surveys show that they also support modest restraints like background checks, mandatory registration and brief waiting periods before purchase.

A majority of Americans also support banning assault weapons. Many of us who hunt are dismayed by some of the more extreme policies of the National Rifle Association, the most prominent voice in opposition to a ban, and by the timidity of public officials who yield to the group’s unreasonable demands.

Heavily influenced and supported by the firearms industry, N.R.A. leaders have misled many gullible people into believing that our weapons are going to be taken away from us, and that homeowners will be deprived of the right to protect ourselves and our families. The N.R.A. would be justified in its efforts if there was a real threat to our constitutional right to bear arms. But that is not the case.

Instead, the N.R.A. is defending criminals’ access to assault weapons and use of ammunition that can penetrate protective clothing worn by police officers on duty.

In addition, while the N.R.A. seems to have reluctantly accepted current law restricting sales by licensed gun dealers to convicted felons, it claims that only “law-abiding people†obey such restrictions — and it opposes applying them to private gun dealers or those who sell all kinds of weapons from the back of a van or pickup truck at gun shows.

What are the results of this profligate ownership and use of guns designed to kill people? In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 30,000 people died from firearms, accounting for nearly 20 percent of all injury deaths. In 2005, every nine hours a child or teenager in the United States was killed in a firearm-related accident or suicide.

Across our border, Mexican drug cartels are being armed with advanced weaponry imported from the United States — a reality only the N.R.A. seems to dispute.

The gun lobby and the firearms industry should reassess their policies concerning safety and accountability — at least on assault weapons — and ease their pressure on acquiescent politicians who fear N.R.A. disapproval at election time. We can’t let the N.R.A.’s political blackmail prevent the banning of assault weapons — designed only to kill police officers and the people they defend.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president, is the winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize.

[Smith]

How in the world did this guy ever get any political clout at all? Doesn't he know all those weapons he has shoot bullets that will penetrate the protective clothing of police officers and kill them and the people they protect? Noooo, everybody knows hunting guns are designed to only kill the animals they hunt!

BTW Jimmy there is a threat to 2A! Just ask the Brits and Aussies how they lost their rights and 2A has nothing to do with hunting!

[Guest archerdr1]

hmmm, didn't know Reagan was for it too!

[Guest mustangdave]

Jimmy just REALLY needs to go back to building shanty towns for Habitat for Humanity.

[poak]

But none of us wants to own an assault weapon, because we have no desire to kill policemen or go to a school or workplace to see how many victims we can accumulate before we are finally shot or take our own lives.

Perhaps he should have added: "and as we are wealthy, we can hire security to protect our homes and families".

Try as I might, I can't seem to find the word "hunting" in the Constitution.

[Guest mustangdave]

LMAO...he doesn't even have to "hire" a security team...WE still pay for one for him. SS detail

[Guest TEBISH]

Just read a news article about the Conficker worm (computer virus) and thought about it - maybe Jimmy could make computers illegal so these nasty viruses could be stopped.

Maybe the Prez will follow in his footsteps and shut down all auto makers so that road rage and highway deaths will cease to exist.

[Guest HexHead]

Once the AWB is reinstated, the anti's will next come after his scoped hunting rifles as sniper rifles. They'll be coming after Remington 700s and Winchester Model 70s et al next.

Mark my words on this.

[Falcon1]

But none of us wants to own an assault weapon, because we have no desire to kill policemen or go to a school or workplace to see how many victims we can accumulate before we are finally shot or take our own lives.

Sarcasm/Well, there you have it...Mr. Carter has composed a list of the only reasons anyone could want to own an AR-15. How could the rest of us have been so duped and naive?/Sarcasm off

[Guest archerdr1]

Just read a news article about the Conficker worm (computer virus) and thought about it - maybe Jimmy could make computers illegal so these nasty viruses could be stopped.

Maybe the Prez will follow in his footsteps and shut down all auto makers so that road rage and highway deaths will cease to exist.

nope, he won't do that, he owns them now! Well, him and the Auto workers union!

[Guest crotalus01]

I still fail to see how a bayonette lug, barrel shroud, forward grip, threaded barrel, flash suppressor, detachable magazine, or ANY of the other features that define an "assault weapon" make the bullet they fire that much deadlier.

I guess Mr. Carter really belives my Yugo SKS is deadlier than a post ban SKS since mine has a grenade launcher and a bayonette...

If I were to go on a homicidal rampage, I could kill just as many people with a semi-auto handgun as I could an AR or an AK.

In fact, in most situations where crowds were a factor (school, mall, campus etc) the semi handgun would be a better choice since the targets are close and length becomes a factor. That and the fact that youre not gonna just waltz in unnoticed with an "assault rifle".

<SIGH>

Some people just live in la la land 24/7/365...

Edited April 29, 2009 by crotalus01

[poak]

If I were to go on a homicidal rampage, I could kill just as many people with a semi-auto handgun as I could an AR or an AK.

In fact, in most situations where crowds were a factor (school, mall, campus etc) the semi handgun would be a better choice

If anyone shows up in true gun forum form and tries to argue the best method/armament for going on a homicidal rampage, I'm driving to their house to kick them in the nuts.

[Guest SUNTZU]

Just found this, might explain his thinking...

[Guest crotalus01]

If anyone shows up in true gun forum form and tries to argue the best method/armament for going on a homicidal rampage, I'm driving to their house to kick them in the nuts.

Maybe I worded that poorly, but my point was that in many situations much more damage can be done with a semi handgun than a so-called "assault weapon".

[et45]

hmmm, didn't know Reagan was for it too!

Reagan wasn't the Patron Saint that Conservatives make him out to be.He granted amnesty to 1 million illegal aliens and signed the law prohibiting the sale of new full autos,thus driving the price to the sky high level they are today.

[raydog1]

Sarcasm/Well, there you have it...Mr. Carter has composed a list of the only reasons anyone could want to own an AR-15. How could the rest of us have been so duped and naive?/Sarcasm off

He just insulted every black rifle owner in one shot based on a poll of his hunting buddies.

BRILLIANT!

[poak]

Maybe I worded that poorly, but my point was that in many situations much more damage can be done with a semi handgun than a so-called "assault weapon".

Haha, point taken crotalus I don't think you worded anything poorly, I was just making a joke about the general nature of forums, particularly gun forums.

[Paletiger13]

Carter just needs to go ahead and kick the bucket. I thought he was already dead. Yeah, Reagan was an ass too. Along with Bush of course. And now the present elected. I almost love the 1st admendment as much as the 2nd......nah

[Mike.357]

when did we last have a president who was not at least half wortheless.

Reagan is pretty big now that people are all retro and everything. But I never voted for him.

Who was the last president who was a real friend to gun owners?

Teddy Roosevelt maybe?

[Guest illEagle]

...Is Jimmy Carter still alive?

[Kano]

Old pals: President Jimmy Carter in 1978 with Joe Biden,

Edited May 1, 2009 by Kano