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Assaulting the ban

U.S. Senate must not repeal gun law

Once again, special interest groups have brought their finances to bear on American politics. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted to repeal the ban on assault weapons -- in what is a clear tip of the hat to the Washington gun lobby -- last Friday. The bill now moves on to the U.S. Senate, where legislators should let common sense prevail and vote down the bill.

In 1994, the U.S. Congress voted to ban assault weapons as part of Clinton's crime bill. At the time, Democrats controlled Congress and the American people overwhelmingly supported it. Although the Republicans now control Congress, the American people still want the ban. To his credit, Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.) has pledged not to bring the bill to the Senate Floor, and President Clinton is promising a veto should Dole be overruled by a filibuster. Both leaders should be commended for their positions.

The bill was brought to the floor in haste last week, but the gun lobby was ready for action. Proponents of the bill to repeal the ban are taking a three-pronged approach. First, they claim the 1994 legislation did little or nothing to lower violent crime involving guns. In addition, they argue that since criminals perpetrate crimes, more stringent sentences should be enacted in place of the assault weapons ban. Finally, they say the ban should be lifted so American citizens could purchase assault weapons for home and self defense.

The opponents of the ban, however, have a better argument. They say the 1994 ban has decreased the number of assault weapons on the streets and has led to a decrease in crimes. In addition, they say the move reflects the growing disparity between Washington values and American values. Moreover, they cite the measure as a clear sign of the insidious influence of the Washington gun lobby.

Friday's vote is another example of the National Rifle Association trying to control the struggle over gun rights. While the measure was supported by members of both parties, it is clearly Republican in origin. Republicans who received extensive campaign contributions from the NRA voted for the bill. Unfortunately for the American people, the time has now come for the representatives to pay back their debts to those who elected them.

Representatives do not realize that the measure still protects a person's right to carry guns. It is simply an effort to keep dangerous weapons off the streets. Clearly, the assault weapons are designed for one purpose: killing people. Firearms, such as AK-47s, UZIs and Tech-9s are not used for hunting, but for military or terrorist purposes. Moreover America's police officers are already out-manned and out-gunned -- allowing people to carry assault weapons will dramatically shift the balance of firepower in favor of the criminals.

The measure to repeal the assault weapons ban is motivated by insider politics, monied influence and ignorance. Friday's vote is a definitive sign that Washington has lost touch with those it is supposed to serve.