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In reply to the discussion: Why are the gun defenders here? [View all]aikoaiko
(34,165 posts)180. Let's look at the ebb and flow of Democratic Party interests in guns.
The Democratic platform didn't even mention guns or firearms from 1960, 1964, and 1968.
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29602
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29603
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29604
Then came the evil Saturday Night Special. It occupied the boogieman role the way AR-15 rifles do now.
Then in 1972 we see the mentions of handguns -- Saturday Night Specials in particular. These were defined as cheap handguns with no "sporting purpose" --- whatever the fuck that means.
There must be laws to control the improper use of hand guns. Four years ago a candidate for the presidency was slain by a handgun. Two months ago, another candidate for that office was gravely wounded. Three out of four police officers killed in the line of duty are slain with hand guns. Effective legislation must include a ban on sale of hand guns known as Saturday night specials which are unsuitable for sporting purposes;
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29605
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29605
We see similar language in 1976
Handguns simplify and intensify violent crime. Ways must be found to curtail the availability of these weapons. The Democratic Party must provide the leadership for a coordinated federal and state effort to strengthen the presently inadequate controls over the manufacture, assembly, distribution and possession of handguns and to ban Saturday night specials.
Furthermore, since people and not guns commit crimes, we support mandatory sentencing for individuals convicted of committing a felony with a gun.
The Democratic Party, however, affirms the right of sportsmen to possess guns for purely hunting and target-shooting purposes.
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29606
Furthermore, since people and not guns commit crimes, we support mandatory sentencing for individuals convicted of committing a felony with a gun.
The Democratic Party, however, affirms the right of sportsmen to possess guns for purely hunting and target-shooting purposes.
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29606
In 1980 the sporting purpose becomes front and center, but the issue is still handguns:
The Democratic Party affirms the right of sports-men to possess guns for purely hunting and target-shooting purposes. However, handguns simplify and intensify violent crime. Ways must be found to curtail the availability of these weapons. The Democratic Party supports enactment of federal legislation to strengthen the presently inadequate regulations over the manufacture, assembly, distribution, and possession of handguns and to ban "Saturday night specials."
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29607
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29607
In 1984, the party realized singling out Saturday Night Specials was idiotic so that focused their energies on snub-nosed revolvers:
We support tough restraints on the manufacture, transportation, and sale of snub-nosed handguns, which have no legitimate sporting use and are used in a high proportion of violent crimes.
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29608
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29608
In 1988 - no mention of guns
In 1992, evil handguns and assault weapons" were back.
It is time to shut down the weapons bazaars in our cities. We support a reasonable waiting period to permit background checks for purchases of handguns, as well as assault weapons controls to ban the possession, sale, importation and manufacture of the most deadly assault weapons. We do not support efforts to restrict weapons used for legitimate hunting and sporting purposes. We will work for swift and certain punishment of all people who violate the country's gun laws and for stronger sentences for criminals who use guns. We will also seek to shut down the black market for guns and impose severe penalties on people who sell guns to children.
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29610
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29610
In 1996, the platform heralded the 1994 AWB even as it acknowledged that we lost congress due, in part, to pro-AWB votes.
Protecting our children, our neighborhoods, and our police from criminals with guns. Bob Dole, Newt Gingrich, and George Bush were able to hold the Brady Bill hostage for the gun lobby until Bill Clinton became President. With his leadership, we made the Brady Bill the law of the land. And because we did, more than 60,000 felons, fugitives, and stalkers have been stopped from buying guns. President Clinton led the fight to ban 19 deadly assault weapons, designed for one purpose only -- to kill human beings. We oppose efforts to restrict weapons used for legitimate sporting purposes, and we are proud that not one hunter or sportsman was forced to change guns because of the assault weapons ban. But we know that the military-style guns we banned have no place on America's streets, and we are proud of the courageous Democrats who defied the gun lobby and sacrificed their seats in Congress to make America safer.
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29611
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29611
In 2000, the platform heralded the Brady Bill and took a lot of credit for the reduced crime of 2000:
They stood up to the gun lobby, to pass the Brady Bill and ban deadly assault weapons - and stopped nearly half a million felons, fugitives, and stalkers from buying guns. They fought for and won the biggest anti-drug budgets in history, every single year. They funded new prison cells, and expanded the death penalty for cop killers and terrorists.
Here are the results of that strategy: serious crime is down seven years in a row, to its lowest level in a quarter-century. Violent crime is down by 24 percent. The murder rate is down to levels unseen since the mid-1960's. The number of juveniles committing homicides with guns is down by nearly 60 percent.
.
.
.
A shocking level of gun violence on our streets and in our schools has shown America the need to keep guns away from those who shouldn't have them - in ways that respect the rights of hunters, sportsmen, and legitimate gun owners. The Columbine tragedy struck America's heart, but in its wake Republicans have done nothing to keep guns away from those who should not have them.
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29612
Here are the results of that strategy: serious crime is down seven years in a row, to its lowest level in a quarter-century. Violent crime is down by 24 percent. The murder rate is down to levels unseen since the mid-1960's. The number of juveniles committing homicides with guns is down by nearly 60 percent.
.
.
.
A shocking level of gun violence on our streets and in our schools has shown America the need to keep guns away from those who shouldn't have them - in ways that respect the rights of hunters, sportsmen, and legitimate gun owners. The Columbine tragedy struck America's heart, but in its wake Republicans have done nothing to keep guns away from those who should not have them.
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29612
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I ask this question repeatedly. Why is there even an area here dedicated to NRA talking points?
villager
Jul 2016
#1
If you want to ban progressive, pro-2A Democrats from "Democratic" Underground, see the Ads...
Eleanors38
Jul 2016
#175
A CBS national reporter waltzed into a gun shop and had an AR-15 in less than an hour.
Jim Beard
Jul 2016
#276
All you have to do is go to the RKBA and 2nd Amendment group and you will see plenty of them. n/t
doc03
Jul 2016
#9
Should have been here while they defended george zimmerman for stalking, intimidating, and killing
Hoyt
Jul 2016
#33
There are plenty of Democrats who are for gun control but not a complete ban
Joe the Revelator
Jul 2016
#3
Those were the only threads that got the reaction the the OP is discussing today.
Joe the Revelator
Jul 2016
#53
Careful with that 'gun grabber' when 'gun humper' & 'ammosexual' are in the air....
Eleanors38
Jul 2016
#172
In part because the right to keep and bear arms is a civil liberty and needs defending
aikoaiko
Jul 2016
#5
not true - I have had conversations with a DUer who believes there should be ablsolutely NO
DrDan
Jul 2016
#27
"A DUer" "couple years back" "not going to look for it" = Milestones get no respect!
Eleanors38
Jul 2016
#179
In a hurricane of controller denigration, you have found a puff of insult? Impressive.
Eleanors38
Jul 2016
#186
there was a DU-2 poll related to gun restrictions - that poll showed 5 DUers who favored
DrDan
Jul 2016
#214
And one person calling for a complete ban on guns, which proves...what, exactly?
friendly_iconoclast
Jul 2016
#231
there are multiple posts in this thread calling for evidence of DUers supporting no restrictions
DrDan
Jul 2016
#240
I'm pretty sure that current examples are whats being asked for, not 5 year old threads. N/T
beevul
Jul 2016
#246
Euromutt, Iverglas! God, it's a time warp. Hope they are all alive and kicking.
Eleanors38
Jul 2016
#259
I think it 'exists' in the same way the purported 'NRA posting bounty' program does-
friendly_iconoclast
Jul 2016
#268
More likely you can't link because your claim is false. $50 to the Brady Campaign says so...
friendly_iconoclast
Jul 2016
#262
Palming off a 5 year old thread as one from 'a couple of days ago' isn't a good job, it's...
friendly_iconoclast
Jul 2016
#265
So, in your little part of the world, nearly every gun owner support gun control
Feeling the Bern
Jul 2016
#90
Surely not. But American citizens were in a position to help Britain, due to civilians
jmg257
Jul 2016
#155
I think that's a price worth paying for the difference in our rates of firearm deaths to you.
Donald Ian Rankin
Jul 2016
#150
"The purpose of the 2nd amendment was to allow the formulation of civilian militias"
jmg257
Jul 2016
#153
had a conversation here with a DUer who claims if relatives are involved in a shooting, they
DrDan
Jul 2016
#29
Which was a response to your 1 example from seven years previously...
friendly_iconoclast
Jul 2016
#193
I was asked for an example of a mass murder by a CCW holder - which I provided (actually several)
DrDan
Jul 2016
#196
my original post on this subtopic did say "a DUer" - never claimed it was a majorty-view,
DrDan
Jul 2016
#205
We are not talking about fishing and hunting (food anyway). Gunners support toting
Hoyt
Jul 2016
#36
Not allowing prisoners to have guns, is not anywhere near the restrictions we need on gun polluters
Hoyt
Jul 2016
#167
I would add that many Southern metropolises are made up of formerly "rural" people...
Eleanors38
Jul 2016
#184
If they want to defend guns, fine. The ones that I really can't stand are the people who tell you
Chakab
Jul 2016
#20
You can discuss inaccurate info/reporting all you want. Just don't expect it to go unchallenged.
Eleanors38
Jul 2016
#189
If you say so. Lots of Gungeoneers have been banned for their white wing ideology.
Hoyt
Jul 2016
#43
Would that include those that suddenly embraced terrorist watch lists when guns were mentioned...
friendly_iconoclast
Jul 2016
#233
Should they be "harassed, investigated & arrested for their political beliefs"?
friendly_iconoclast
Jul 2016
#237
You embraced the terror watch lists when people you don't like became targets...
friendly_iconoclast
Jul 2016
#261
Heh. How much you think this social security recipient is getting? New car? Condo on South Beach?
Eleanors38
Jul 2016
#194
I will defend the right of the GOP to bring their own toys to their own convention
Doodley
Jul 2016
#67
This might come as a shock to you but many Democrats own firearms and believe in the 2nd
Waldorf
Jul 2016
#73
Yeah, they believe in lots of guns, public toting, stand your ground, no registration, etc.
Hoyt
Jul 2016
#84
If someone supports all other democratic party and progressive positions, but also
PersonNumber503602
Jul 2016
#75
If you support the Democratic party position, as outlined in the party platform
GulfCoast66
Jul 2016
#88
nothing inherently wrong with owning guns and all of us can't be hippie leftists.
craigmatic
Jul 2016
#78
In the Old School, that would be a wife-beating question, and I ain't been married.
Eleanors38
Jul 2016
#221
I've got an unrepairable .22 he can have in exchange for $30 worth of groceries!
Eleanors38
Jul 2016
#255
because their 2nd amendment right to a murder machine is more important than your right to live
Feeling the Bern
Jul 2016
#91
i have hunted and owned guns for years but lately I have had to put some DU "gun humppers" ....
Botany
Jul 2016
#106
Do you blame all blacks, muslims, etc for what some in that group do?
The Straight Story
Jul 2016
#114
Guess you haven't spent any time in the Gungeon durring your one/two day membership.
Hoyt
Jul 2016
#128
Gunz are not a civil right, and I detest gunners who try to elevate it to that level as if they were
Hoyt
Jul 2016
#169
Your quote does not mention frigging gunz, nor are guns or gun lovers anywhere near those
Hoyt
Jul 2016
#236
Why do rural democrats have 10+ guns, tote in a relatively safe area, promote guns even though
Hoyt
Jul 2016
#130
Unfortunately, you guys don't keep them in your closet. Tucking them in your pants and
Hoyt
Jul 2016
#145
No, I'm fine with someone keeping one or two guns for hunting at home, (no semi-autos), and home
Hoyt
Jul 2016
#166
See - now that's sorta stating to get reasonable - guess my "bad hobby" isn't so bad!
jmg257
Jul 2016
#168
Sorry, semi-autos are assault weapons as the term is commonly used. Will kill a lot of people,
Hoyt
Jul 2016
#170
"Guns are not a "civil right,"" Everything in the Bill of Rights are civil rights.
EX500rider
Jul 2016
#230
Good, sounds like you could give them up -- semi-autos anyway -- for the good of society.
Hoyt
Jul 2016
#252
I'd like to see guns banned - it worked in Australia, but Democrats can be pro-gun
Doodley
Jul 2016
#152
Aren't you the one who claimed the founders intended people to possess only hunting weapons?
Marengo
Jul 2016
#159
I just had a Opening Post on this topic locked in General Discussion...
Jeffersons Ghost
Jul 2016
#286