J. Warner supports Feinstein's legislation to restore the measure
Richmond Times-Dispatch Mar 23, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California recently introduced legislation to re-establish a federal ban on 19 assault weapons, and Sen. John W. Warner of Virginia signed on as the lead Republican co-sponsor.
In September, a federal ban on certain assault weapons expired. Feinstein, Warner and allies introduced a bill last week to renew the ban on the manufacture and importation of 19 types of assault weapons for 10 years.
"I am proud to stand with law-enforcement professionals from Virginia and all across the country in supporting this common-sense ban, which protects the public while preserving the important and constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners," Warner said.
A spokesman for the National Rifle Association, Andrew Arulanandam, said he did not see the political appetite "on either side of the aisle to revisit this issue again." He also contended that numerous studies mandated by Congress, including studies by then-President Bill Clinton's Justice Department, showed the ban to be ineffective in reducing crime.
Feinstein's bill is the same as one that she introduced last year with support from Warner, a Warner aide said.
Sen. George Allen, R-Va., last year opposed the extension of the assault-weapons ban. At a time when the federal ban had not yet expired, Allen called it "a meaningless, toothless law that has virtually no impact on crime." Allen's and Warner's stances last year reflected reversals from earlier positions on the ban. -- Peter Hardin
Senator Warner is an old fart and is sickeningly liberal on certain key issues. I don't believe in a moderate approach to the Bill of Rights, personally. Seeing him team up with Feinstein makes my blood boil! [:@]
How I wish Allen were the senior senator from Virginia. I might even support him for the presidency.
Tazman and North Texan are correct. Party affiliation is not nearly as important on this, and most other issues, than is how politicians believe their positions will play with their constituents. Here in California Governor Shcwartznegger, a Republican and gun enthusiast, extended the assault weapons ban as a state law after it expired on the federal level. I am sure that he simply made the political calculation that here in California that was the most expedient thing to do, as did Senator Feinstein. I am not as familiar with Virginia but it is likely that Senator Warner sees his political base as largely urban and suburban voters in the D.C. and Richmond metropolitan areas who are unlikely to hold this against him. Aught Six and Tazman, does this analysis make sense to you?
I am not as familiar with Virginia but it is likely that Senator Warner sees his political base as largely urban and suburban voters in the D.C. and Richmond metropolitan areas who are unlikely to hold this against him. Aught Six and Tazman, does this analysis make sense to you?
I think he's trying to have his cake and eat it to. He wants enough gun control to satisfy the liberals but not enough to tick off the conservatives. The problem is that, as the adage goes, you can't have your cake and eat it, too.
Virginia, as a state, does not like gun control. Warner stands to lose more from the right than he can gain from the left.
Bill will bring back assault-weapons ban
