NEWS RELEASE Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united
with the Million Mom March
TO RESTORE SANITY ON GUN ISSUE,
BRADY CAMPAIGN, MILLION MOM MARCH
ENDORSE JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT
For Immediate Release:
10-01-2004 |
Contact Communications:
(202) 898-0792 |
Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement from Michael Barnes,
President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united with the
Million Mom March:
“During the 2000 presidential campaign, the National Rifle
Association’s Kayne Robinson said that if George W. Bush was elected
President, the NRA would be working out of the White House.
“In test after test, Robinson’s prediction has turned out to be true.
The NRA has gotten everything it asked for from President Bush. Every
time he’s had a choice, he has sided with the gun lobby and against law
enforcement and the victims of gun violence.
“The Bush Justice Department under Attorney General John Ashcroft
secured legislation allowing it to destroy Brady background check
records a day after the check is completed, against the advice of law
enforcement leaders. President Bush signed that bill.
“The Bush Justice Department has made it easier for criminal defendants
to challenge gun laws as unconstitutional by insisting that federal
prosecutors adopt a view of the Second Amendment that is contradicted
by virtually every federal appeals court.
“The Bush Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives secured a
law to prohibit disclosure of crime gun records that would reveal the
gun dealers supplying most of the guns used in crime. President Bush
signed that bill.
“President Bush strongly supported an effort to give gun sellers
unprecedented immunity from legal accountability to the victims of gun
violence. The bill failed in the Senate – but President Bush supported
it. And he signed similar legislation when he was the Governor of Texas.
“And in his most devastating blow to public safety, President Bush
broke his promise to renew the Assault Weapons Ban. Instead of renewing
the law, he turned his back on the law enforcement leaders and officers
who had urged him to save that lifesaving statute, a law that had
limited the firepower of criminals. He refused to even meet with police
leaders to discuss it. He also turned his back on gun violence victims
whose lives have been shattered by these weapons.
“This week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal local gun
laws in the Nation’s Capital. The White House has said President Bush
will sign the bill into law if the Senate takes action.
“Time and time again, President George W. Bush has caved in to the gun
lobby and failed in his responsibility to keep Americans safe. He has
chosen the extreme ideological policies of the National Rifle
Association over the need to protect American citizens from gun
violence every single time. Not once has the President opposed anything
on the NRA’s legislative agenda. This is truly tragic, and it will lead
to Americans, including police officers, losing their lives.
“On the other hand, Senator John Kerry has consistently supported
sensible gun laws throughout his career in public service. As a
prosecutor and as a legislator he has been a leader, working with law
enforcement officials on efforts to reduce gun violence. As a hunter
and a war hero, Senator Kerry knows that sportsmen do not need
military-style assault weapons, and that measures to keep guns away
from criminals, terrorists and children are just common sense.
“We urge Americans who care deeply about reducing gun violence in our
nation to vote for Senator John Kerry.
“Mr. Bush should seek to be the President of the National Rifle
Association. He has earned that job.”
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As the nation's largest
national, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to
prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united
with the Million Mom March is dedicated to creating an America free
from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at
work, and in their communities.