Most Americans support the federal assault weapons
ban, but their leaders have refused to represent them.

From the Houston Chronicle editorial page:

The powerful pro-gun lobby argues that the ban, which prohibits the sale of 19 particularly lethal weapons, along with magazines of more than 10 rounds, is merely cosmetic. They claim no direct link exists between the assault weapon ban and the reduction in gun violence since the ban was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1994. And, they predict, there won't be any increase in gun violence after the law sunsets.

Plain logic says that's wishful thinking. Even if true, what advantage would an open market on assault weapons offer to justify the risk of renewed violence.

Already, giddy gun manufacturers and retailers are ratcheting up their production of the prohibited weapons and add-ons, such as large-capacity ammunition clips and flash suppressors, that boost these death delivery devices' firepower or make it difficult to detect the point of fire. A Houston gun dealer and shooting range manager crowed to the Chronicle that, "Sales are going to go through the roof."

Apparently, the National Rifle Association, which is withholding its endorsement of Bush's candidacy pending the ban's expiration, expects the worried citizenry to believe that no one will squeeze any high-powered triggers. Well, these weapons will be used, and it won't be for target practice, skeet shooting and duck hunting. The sole purpose for these guns — they aren't called assault weapons for nothing — is killing people.

Click here for the rest.

Great. That's just what we need, tens of thousands of assault weapons on the streets. Ladies and gentlemen, the inmates are running the asylum.

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