Democracy for America: We Stand Ready to Provide Grassroots Support for Gun Reform

[ellisonz]

For Immediate Release: December 19th, 2012

Contact: Alex Showerman
802-651-3225
[e-mail]

Burlington, VT – Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America, released the following statement in response to the President’s call for action on gun reform.

“I am pleased by President Obama’s swift action and strong words on gun reform. Here in the United States we need to create a gun culture of responsibility and accountability. The President’s announcement that he will do everything in his power to pass bans on assault weapons, and high capacity clips, as well as closing the gun show loop hole by requiring background checks on all gun purchases is a much needed step in the right direction.”

“Here at Democracy for America, we stand at the ready to provide any and all grassroots support needed to pass these much needed reforms. As the President pointed out this is something a majority of the American people support. It’s time for groups like the NRA, and legislators to stop protecting the gun makers, and start protecting the American people.”

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ABOUT DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA
Democracy for America is the people-powered Democratic Political Action Committee. With over one million members nationwide, DFA is a grassroots powerhouse working to change our country and the Democratic Party from the bottom up.

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/blog/538-democracy-for-america-we-stand-ready-to-provide-grassroots-support-for-gun-reform

[tj_crackersnatch]

1. excellent

Cant come soon enough

[ellisonz]

2. Welcome to DU!

I hope and pray that one day we will be where you good folks in Oz are on this issue. So let me ask you a question: do you feel less free because you don't have half-a-dozen assault rifles?

[tj_crackersnatch]

3. thank you. living in australia

is a progressive heaven. Strict gun control, centralized medicine, welfare system that supports those most in need and has aggressive back to work programs. Their taxes are higher than the US but people don't seem to mind as they realize there is a small price to be paid for living in the Lucky Country.

[ellisonz]

4. Sounds awesome.

BTW - we have a number of other Aussies on DU too: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1086 (it's a little hidden away)

[tj_crackersnatch]

5. thanks

I'm originally a yank and have lived in aus and have dual citizenship. Ive had to move back to the US to look after family. Heading back over within next five years.

And to answer your question: no I don't want guns in my house but the nuttiness that seems to have taken over the us has made think twice about getting a gun. And I Don't Like Thinking Like That! This country is suffering from a collective mental health problem and the people who need help most will never see it.

[ellisonz]

6. I only wish there were more reasonable people like you in this country...

...even if it's only temporary!

[tj_crackersnatch]

7. back at ya

Mate

[Violet_Crumble]

8. Even our former conservative PM comes across as reasonable compared to some Americans...

I'm going to cross-post this in the Australia forum, and I have to add a disclaimer that this is possibly the only issue I agree with John Howard on....

Merry xmas!!

Brothers in arms, yes, but the US needs to get rid of its guns
John Howard
Published: August 1, 2012 – 8:13AM
Sydney Morning Herald


EARLY in 2008 Janette and I were guests of the former president, George H. W. Bush or ”41”, as he is affectionately known, at his Presidential Library in College Station, Texas. I spoke to a warm and friendly audience of more than 300 who enthusiastically reacted until, in answer to a request to nominate the proudest actions of the Australian government I had led for almost 12 years, I included the national gun control laws enacted after the Port Arthur massacre in April 1996.

Having applauded my references to the liberation of East Timor, leaving Australia debt free, presiding over a large reduction in unemployment and standing beside the US in the global fight against terrorism, there was an audible gasp of amazement at my expressing pride in what Australia had done to limit the use of guns.

I had been given a sharp reminder that, despite the many things we have in common with our American friends, there is a huge cultural divide when it comes to the free availability of firearms.

<snip>

A key component of the 1996 measure, which banned the sale, importation and possession of all automatic and semi-automatic rifles and shotguns, was a national buy-back scheme involving the compulsory forfeiture of newly illegal weapons. Between 1996 and 1998 more than 700,000 guns were removed and destroyed. This was one-fifth of Australia’s estimated stock of firearms. The equivalent in the US would have been 40 million guns. Australia’s action remains one of the largest destructions of civilian firearms.

Australia is a safer country as a result of what was done in 1996. It will be the continuing responsibility of current and future federal and state governments to ensure the effectiveness of those anti-gun laws is never weakened. The US is a country for which I have much affection. There are many American traits which we Australians could well emulate to our great benefit. But when it comes to guns we have been right to take a radically different path.


http://guncontrol.org.au/2012/08/howard-on-guns/