It's a fact: All major presidential 2008 candidates voted for stronger gun laws

[billbuckhead]

or are on record supporting them. Yep, it's true and here's the links.

Wes Clark and my favorite quote about assault weapons.

"You like to fire assault weapons? I have a place for you. It's not in the homes and streets of America. It's called the Army, and you can join any time!"

Rudi Guiliani former mayor of New York City, the current front runner

"To purchase a gun in the State of New York you have to give your full name, your date of birth, your residence, your occupation. You have to prove that you're a United States citizen, you have to show you are of good character, competency and integrity. And you have to demonstrate a real need for the weapon.

And thanks in part to our stricter gun control laws, crime is down dramatically in New York City. Shootings are down over 50 percent. Murder is down over 50 percent. But the fact is that 90 percent of the guns we take out of the hands of criminals in New York City come from out of the State of New York.

We need a federal law that bans all assault weapons, and if in fact you do need a handgun you should be subjected to at least the same restrictions -- and really stronger ones -- that exist for driving an automobile.

The United States Congress needs to pass uniform licensing for everyone carrying a gun. Congress must do more to prevent a tragedy like the one that happened at the Empire State Building from ever happening again."
<http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/rwg/html/97a/me970302.html>

John McCain from Arizona and Chuck Hegel from Nebraska

"A few Republicans also voted with the Democrats to close the "gun show loophole." Under current law, unlicensed gun dealers at private shows are not required to ask for government background checks before selling weapons. Democrats and a few Republicans argued that loopholes allows people who normally wouldn't be able to buy guns get dangerous weapons.

"Criminals and terrorists are exploiting this obvious loophole in our gun safety laws," said Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona.

McCain, along with fellow Republicans Warner, Richard Lugar of Indiana, George Voinovich of Ohio, Charles Hagel of Nebraska, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Peter Fitzgerald of Illinois and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island voted along with the Democrats."

John McCain on the Assault Weapons ban

McCain said he was open to voting for an assault weapon ban, depending on the details. Source: Los Angeles Times, “McCain Calls for Hearings” Aug 17, 1999
<http://www.issues2000.org/celeb/John_McCain_Gun_Control.htm>

John Warner from Virginia on the Assault Weapons Ban

"Democrats argued that law enforcement officers and regular citizens all would be safer if the assault weapons covered under the bill continued to be banned. "These are weapons of war. They are designed to kill a lot of people quickly," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who authored the 1994 gun ban while in the House.

Warner, who voted against the gun ban in 1994, said the testimony from law enforcement officials in his state convinced him to vote Tuesday for renewing it.

"Law enforcement has shown that it has reduced the use of these weapons in crime, so my words pale in significance to the law officers of the four corners of the commonwealth of Virginia," Warner said."
<http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/3/2/143203.shtml>

Mitt Romney from Massachusetts
"Romney supports the strict enforcement of gun laws. He is a supporter of the federal assault weapons ban. Mitt also believes in the rights of those who hunt to responsibly own and use firearms."
<http://race42008.com/mitt-romney/>


John Edwards, Evan Bayh, Hillary Clinton and John Kerry voted to extend the Assault Weapons Ban.

Gee from all the propaganda, one would think that supporting stronger gun regulations would be an extremely unpopular position but in fact it's quite the norm for the current crop of Presidential candidates from both parties.

[Possumpoint]

1. Right to Own a Hand Gun

I don't have to wait for a politician to give me the right to own a hand gun or make me show a need for one. The 2nd amendment of the US Constitution already does that. What I want to know is why they think they can take that right away without a constitutional amendment?

I agree that I should show I'm a citizen in good standing. I personally don't see the need for assault weapons. Guns for hunting is a different matter.

If a ban on hand guns was enacted, how would the politicians handle the black market in guns they would be creating. Let's see how they'll get the guns out of the criminal's hands.

[billbuckhead]

2. Looks like you'll have no one to vote for in 2008

:D Even the Republicans want to protect their familes and communities from the scourge of gun violence.

Oh I forgot Barack Obama.

Ban semi-automatics, and more possession restrictions. (Jul 1998)
Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)

<http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Barack_Obama.htm>