srothstein wrote:The Annoyed Man wrote:Maybe at the state level, but not really at the national level.
The only gun related law that I am aware of that has passed at the federal level strengthened the RKBA just a little bit. The law made it legal to carry in national parks in accordance with state laws. This does not mean the current Congress or administration supports guns, but RiverCity .45 had a point. It also does not mean the fear was not justified. This fortunate situation (no anti-gun laws passed) might have been a result of the Democratic fear of reprisal shown by the gun owner's fervor.
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I did see an interesting bumper sticker the other day. It read "Change: it takes a Carter to get a Reagan." Somehow, that seems appropriate to this topic.
Steve, I had forgotten about the National Parks carry issue. But even that was not something
supported by most Democrats in Congress. Rather, in was
un-opposed (which is different from support), and it was only included in the bill because
Republicans maneuvered it into the bill. I believe it is accurate to say that, left to their own devices, most Democrats would not have included National Parks carry in a credit card spending bill. That it
did get included is due largely to the efforts of Republican Tom Coburn, supported by a bipartisan but small coalition. Firearms have been regulated in National Parks since 1936. During Roosevelt's administration, from 1933 until 1945, the Democratic Party controlled both houses of Congress. Ergo, Democrats were responsible for the loss of the RKBA in National Parks to begin with; and it was a Republican who led the fight to get the RKBA in National Parks restored. None of this is speculation, other than my statement that if they had been left to their own devices, without Republican Tom Coburn's leading the charge, National Parks carry would not have been passed by a Democrat controlled Congress. But even my speculation is pretty well founded in historical precedent.
And by the way, Republicans haven't always had a spotless record on the RKBA either. William Safire interviewed President Nixon in 1969 (
SOURCE) and asked the president what he thought about guns, Nixon's answer:
"Guns are an abomination," Nixon replied. According to Safire, Nixon went on to confess that, "Free from fear of gun owners' retaliation at the polls, he favored making handguns illegal and requiring licenses for hunting rifles."
That same linked article goes on to say:
It was President George Bush, Sr. who banned the import of "assault weapons" in 1989, and promoted the view that Americans should only be allowed to own weapons suitable for "sporting purposes."
It was Governor Ronald Reagan of California who signed the Mulford Act in 1967, "prohibiting the carrying of firearms on one's person or in a vehicle, in any public place or on any public street." The law was aimed at stopping the Black Panthers, but affected all gun owners.
Twenty-four years later, Reagan was still pushing gun control. "I support the Brady Bill," he said in a March 28, 1991 speech, "and I urge the Congress to enact it without further delay."
But, 20 years have passed since then, and for the past 20 years, gun-control has been more the bailiwick of the Democrat Party, rather than the Republican Party.
I just calls 'em like I sees 'em. Doesn't mean you're not welcome if you disagree.
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
― G. Michael Hopf, "Those Who Remain"
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