gwhunter69
07-26-2002, 11:17 AM
Gun Control Group Unloads on Rep. John Dingell
By Jim Burns
CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer
July 26, 2002
(CNSNews.com) - The dean of the U.S. House of Representatives, Democrat John Dingell, is being targeted for defeat by one of America's most prominent gun control groups, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
The Brady Campaign has launched a website to criticize what it calls Dingell's "dismal record" on "gun violence protection." Dingell, who has represented Michigan in Congress for nearly 47 years, is the first to be named to the Brady Campaign's "Dangerous Dozen" list of congressional candidates in this year's elections. Other names will follow.
"John Dingell is trying to run away from his long and unfortunate history of opposing common-sense gun laws," said Michael Barnes, president of the Brady Campaign. "This Web site will ensure that the public knows the truth. John Dingell has repeatedly opposed virtually every effort to strengthen our nation's gun laws."
Barnes pointed out that Dingell voted against the Brady Bill, which required a waiting period for gun purchases. "He vehemently opposed the inclusion of the Assault Weapons Ban in the 1994 Crime Bill and he actually voted to repeal the Assault Weapons Ban in 1996," Barnes said.
Dingell faces an August primary election challenge in a redrawn congressional district against Democrat Lynn Rivers.
There was no official comment from Dingell's office Thursday, but the Michigan chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) said the Brady Campaign's charges against Dingell "ring hallow."
"As a former prosecutor in Wayne County (Detroit), John Dingell knows we need tough laws to keep our streets safe and our families secure," said Michigan FOP executive director John Buczek. "He has worked for tougher penalties for criminals who commit crimes with guns and to require immediate criminal background checks of anyone attempting to purchase a gun."
Dingell, according to the Almanac of American Politics, did vote in favor of the 1994 Crime Bill and supported legislation requiring a 24-hour background check on gun purchases. The House Judiciary Committee this week also approved a Dingell sponsored bill that would strengthen background checks for people buying firearms.
The legislation is aimed at getting more information in the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System, according to Dingell. The system is supposed to identify undesirables and others legally barred from buying a gun. The FBI currently relies on states and other federal agencies to provide criminal, mental health and other records, but many are incomplete and outdated.
The bill sponsored by Dingell and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, (D-N.Y.), would require states and federal agencies to automate their records and add them to the system. It authorizes Congress to spend more than $1.1 billion for states and courts to comply with the law and is being hailed by gun control groups like Americans for Gun Safety and the Michigan chapter of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.
Khalid Pitts, Michigan director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, however, questions Dingell's motives.
"He does this after finding himself in a primary race with someone who is a gun safety supporter and in a new district," Pitts said. "For victims of gun violence, it's ... too little too late."
While trying to satisfy gun control advocates with his legislation, Dingell says he has not lost sight of gun owners either.
"I want to see to it that an honest citizen doesn't lose his Second Amendment rights because of the fact that the state, local and federal people are so inept that the instant check system does not work," Dingell said.
By Jim Burns
CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer
July 26, 2002
(CNSNews.com) - The dean of the U.S. House of Representatives, Democrat John Dingell, is being targeted for defeat by one of America's most prominent gun control groups, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
The Brady Campaign has launched a website to criticize what it calls Dingell's "dismal record" on "gun violence protection." Dingell, who has represented Michigan in Congress for nearly 47 years, is the first to be named to the Brady Campaign's "Dangerous Dozen" list of congressional candidates in this year's elections. Other names will follow.
"John Dingell is trying to run away from his long and unfortunate history of opposing common-sense gun laws," said Michael Barnes, president of the Brady Campaign. "This Web site will ensure that the public knows the truth. John Dingell has repeatedly opposed virtually every effort to strengthen our nation's gun laws."
Barnes pointed out that Dingell voted against the Brady Bill, which required a waiting period for gun purchases. "He vehemently opposed the inclusion of the Assault Weapons Ban in the 1994 Crime Bill and he actually voted to repeal the Assault Weapons Ban in 1996," Barnes said.
Dingell faces an August primary election challenge in a redrawn congressional district against Democrat Lynn Rivers.
There was no official comment from Dingell's office Thursday, but the Michigan chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) said the Brady Campaign's charges against Dingell "ring hallow."
"As a former prosecutor in Wayne County (Detroit), John Dingell knows we need tough laws to keep our streets safe and our families secure," said Michigan FOP executive director John Buczek. "He has worked for tougher penalties for criminals who commit crimes with guns and to require immediate criminal background checks of anyone attempting to purchase a gun."
Dingell, according to the Almanac of American Politics, did vote in favor of the 1994 Crime Bill and supported legislation requiring a 24-hour background check on gun purchases. The House Judiciary Committee this week also approved a Dingell sponsored bill that would strengthen background checks for people buying firearms.
The legislation is aimed at getting more information in the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System, according to Dingell. The system is supposed to identify undesirables and others legally barred from buying a gun. The FBI currently relies on states and other federal agencies to provide criminal, mental health and other records, but many are incomplete and outdated.
The bill sponsored by Dingell and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, (D-N.Y.), would require states and federal agencies to automate their records and add them to the system. It authorizes Congress to spend more than $1.1 billion for states and courts to comply with the law and is being hailed by gun control groups like Americans for Gun Safety and the Michigan chapter of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.
Khalid Pitts, Michigan director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, however, questions Dingell's motives.
"He does this after finding himself in a primary race with someone who is a gun safety supporter and in a new district," Pitts said. "For victims of gun violence, it's ... too little too late."
While trying to satisfy gun control advocates with his legislation, Dingell says he has not lost sight of gun owners either.
"I want to see to it that an honest citizen doesn't lose his Second Amendment rights because of the fact that the state, local and federal people are so inept that the instant check system does not work," Dingell said.