2012 DNC Platform calls for National Assault Weapons Ban

[JimThornTX]

www. democrats .org/democratic-national-platform

Protecting Rights and Freedoms - Firearms

"We recognize that the individual right to bear arms is an important part of the American tradition, and we will preserve Americans' Second Amendment right to own and use firearms. We believe that the right to own firearms is subject to reasonable regulation. We understand the terrible consequences of gun violence; it serves as a reminder that life is fragile, and our time here is limited and precious. We believe in an honest, open national conversation about firearms. We can focus on effective enforcement of existing laws, especially strengthening our background check system, and we can work together to enact commonsense improvements?like reinstating the assault weapons ban and closing the gun show loophole?so that guns do not fall into the hands of those irresponsible, law-breaking few."

[armoredman]

The ultimate "reasonable regulation" for leftists, despite Heller and McDonald is nobody can own guns individually, but we all "own them" collectively at the National Guard Armory. The AWB, if reinstated, won't have a sunset clause this time, I guarantee that.

[DenStinett]

I wouldn?t know where to find the answer to this....Question;
Did crime go down during the last ban ?
Seems that the powers to be haven?t learned a thing from the past
Gun Bans, in no way, reduce Crime or Gun Related killings

[bozwell]

It's unfortunate, but not really shocking.  It's worth noting that the Democrat Party's platform in 2008 said essentially the same thing about firearms, but dropped the T word (terrorists :-p) as well.  We didn't see a ban during the first 2 years when they had a double majority + president, and there's no way they'd get it through with republicans controlling the house and/or the senate.

Frankly, I wouldn't consider either candidate to be pro-firearms.  Obama hasn't shown any real aggression towards the firearms community, but his party certainly talks the "anti" talk.  On the other hand, Romney's record in MA was very anti-firearms.  He tells a different story now, but I don't put much stock in it.

At the end of the day, we've got Obama talking tough but actually having a decent record (as president) when it comes to gun rights, while Romney's talk is pro-gun but his record tells a different story.  Frankly, I don't trust either to take a strong pro-firearms position, but at the same time no one is going to be able to pass any radical legislation given the state of the house/senate.

[Grendel]

I believe Diane Feinstein is championing this lost cause. That's okay, because she is one of the most irrelevant of all the irrelevant political morons from California. It does not have a prayer of making it through Congress unless the Ds manage to pull off the upset of the millennium and gain control of both Houses with a filibuster-proof majority.

[sammler66]

Trotting out Gabrielle Giffords to do the national anthem was all about generating support for their anti gun agenda.  I feel for the lady and hate to see them use her for political ends.

[CheapShot]

Admittingly, what little I do know about Paul Ryan, it seems he's pro 2nd Amendment. Perhaps that'll be enough to keep Mitt at bay.

[skipper]

Good point, I also think Gifford is being used by the anti gun group, they have no scruples.

[sammler66]

Admittingly, what little I do know about Paul Ryan, it seems he's pro 2nd Amendment. Perhaps that'll be enough to keep Mitt at bay.

I live in Wisconsin and have watched Ryan for years - even spoke to him at a rally to support Governor Scott Walker.  I've thought for some time(well before the VP nomination) that he has a good shot at president some day.  I can't say that I completely trust him - cuz he is a politician - but he is about as good as politicians get.  He is very conservative and is very pro 2nd Amendment.  He fought for concealed carry in WI - which we just got last fall.

[Spirit 1]

I think that's great news that the Dems want an assault weapons ban!       

After their display of sheer idiocy in denying God from the Democratic platform while middle America watched and listened, and their major screwup in insulting Israel and all their strong Democrat voting base of American Jews, saying that Jerusalem is not the capitol of Israel, plus dragging feet on Iran/Israel, this manages to do the impossible: driving the last nail in their own coffin!

That doesn't even mention the abortion & contraceptive problems, or Obama-Care, or the ECONOMY, or $16Trillion DEBT, or JOBS piled on top of that! It only gets better...

[bozwell]

Admittingly, what little I do know about Paul Ryan, it seems he's pro 2nd Amendment. Perhaps that'll be enough to keep Mitt at bay.

I live in Wisconsin and have watched Ryan for years - even spoke to him at a rally to support Governor Scott Walker.  I've thought for some time(well before the VP nomination) that he has a good shot at president some day.  I can't say that I completely trust him - cuz he is a politician - but he is about as good as politicians get.  He is very conservative and is very pro 2nd Amendment.  He fought for concealed carry in WI - which we just got last fall.

I've liked Ryan for a few years now.  I really like that he came out with an aggressive budget plan and stuck his neck out for what needs to be done.  His plan isn't perfect, but so far he's the only elected national figure that's really putting a plan out there.  Personally, I wish he wasn't as much of a social conservative, but hey, no one's perfect.  I'll continue to root for Ryan, but I have a hard time getting behind Mitt and picking a VP I like only goes so far.  It'll come down to picking the lesser of two evils for me yet again, and I'm still not 100% sure who that is. 

[Stogies]

Just what is this obsession with this silly Assault Weapons ban? It didn't do any good last time around which is why it was allowed to expire.

[skipper]

Ah, ah, ah two thirds of the yay's have it!!! That hilarious three time vote yesterday. I thought the nay's won the last time. The lesser of two evils is more like there is no option. 

[Spirit 1]

Admittingly, what little I do know about Paul Ryan, it seems he's pro 2nd Amendment. Perhaps that'll be enough to keep Mitt at bay.

I live in Wisconsin and have watched Ryan for years - even spoke to him at a rally to support Governor Scott Walker.  I've thought for some time(well before the VP nomination) that he has a good shot at president some day.  I can't say that I completely trust him - cuz he is a politician - but he is about as good as politicians get.  He is very conservative and is very pro 2nd Amendment.  He fought for concealed carry in WI - which we just got last fall.

I've liked Ryan for a few years now.  I really like that he came out with an aggressive budget plan and stuck his neck out for what needs to be done.  His plan isn't perfect, but so far he's the only elected national figure that's really putting a plan out there.  Personally, I wish he wasn't as much of a social conservative, but hey, no one's perfect.  I'll continue to root for Ryan, but I have a hard time getting behind Mitt and picking a VP I like only goes so far.  It'll come down to picking the lesser of two evils for me yet again, and I'm still not 100% sure who that is. 

So sad, but so true! I get so blasted tired of being manipulated by both sides at the same time! Like 2008, I saw a clear and known threat to America's future as a Constitutional Republic standing on the one side, and then out from behind the Republican curtain comes their grinning 'Answer' for all good Americans: JOHN McCAIN!? My neighbors miles away must have heard me screaming at the top of my lungs, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME YOU IDIOTS!?"

Reminded me of a cross between Captain Kangaroo and Peewee Herman on his tricycle, popping out as the Republican Party's very best pick of their man chosen to represent all of America's greatest ideals before the world. FAIL!

At least this time they've chosen somebody that clearly understands business, running a business [and of course govt is just that now], and the complex inter-relations of every aspect of the economy, jobs, energy etc. and running at a profit instead of a loss while planning for a future. At least there's hope in that, but I hate that it's always 'at least' nowadays...

.

[bozwell]

Ha!  We had similar but slightly different reactions in 2008 Spirit - mine was more:

"SARAH PALIN!? My neighbors miles away must have heard me screaming at the top of my lungs, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME YOU IDIOTS!?""