The Brady Campaign is already shilling for bills that Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) is introducing. According to the Library of Congress’ Thomas legislation tracker, none of his anti-gun, anti-rights legislation has been officially introduced.<\/p>\n
Jan 25, 2011<\/p>\n
Washington, D.C. – The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence today announced strong support for a package of legislative proposals introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). The three bills seek to close loopholes in federal gun laws and restrict civilian access to large capacity ammunition magazines.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis important package of legislation is straightforward, reasonable, and long overdue,\u201d said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign. \u201cWe have only a few federal gun laws on the books, and even those have loopholes which allow dangerous people to get firearms all too easily.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sen. Lautenberg\u2019s bills would strengthen the Brady background check system by closing the gun show loophole; prevent suspected terrorist from gaining access to firearms; and ban ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 bullets.<\/p>\n
The package of bills comes during a month that has seen horrific examples of gun violence. Fourteen police officers have been shot to death in the past four weeks, and a tragic shooting in Tucson, AZ left six dead and wounded thirteen others, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ). <\/p>\n
Sen. Lautenberg\u2019s bill banning large capacity magazines is identical to a bill offered last week by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY). It would reinstate a ban, lapsed since 2004, on the type of ammunition magazines used by the shooter in Tucson. The House bill has already garnered 64 cosponsors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no legitimate reason for civilians to have 30-round magazines,\u201d continued Helmke. \u201cThey aren\u2019t useful for hunting or self defense. And in the hands of dangerous people, they can cause unspeakable damage.\u201d <\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
As to Helmke’s comments that standard capacity magazines aren’t useful for self-defense, what utter bullshit. Let him tell that to a guy who is defending his family against home invaders and see what the home owner’s response will be.<\/p>\n
UPDATE: Lautenberg’s S. 32, S. 34, and S. 35 have been introduced into the Senate and have been referred to the Judiciary Committee.<\/p>\n