Message To Candidates For President: Take A Real Stand Against Gun Violence

In less than a week, two disturbed gunmen used military-style assault weapons to murder 12 people in America - first in Omaha, then in Colorado.

These shootings continue a long trail of carnage that included the Virginia Tech campus eight months ago. The shooter there used semi-automatic pistols and high-capacity ammunition magazines to fire almost 175 rounds [pdf] in about ten minutes. He shot 49 people and killed 32 in the worst mass-shooting in modern American history.

All this violence and bloodshed calls out for decisive action, but too many of our nation's leaders have turned a deaf ear.

In almost two weeks from now, the first votes will be cast in the 2008 presidential election as part of caucuses across the state of Iowa. Homes, church basements and community centers will play host to thousands of committed citizens who will stand in front of their neighbors and openly make their choice for President.

Iowans will stand up and be counted. Today, I challenge the Presidential candidates to do the same.

I challenge them to stand up and support meaningful action to reduce gun violence in America.

• I challenge them to work for a strong and permanent ban on military-style assault weapons [pdf]. Why do we allow weapons of war on our streets which make it easier to kill more people, more quickly? This is America, not Iraq. Restricting assault weapons has been favored in this country for many years, by margins of greater than 2 to 1 [pdf]. The Omaha shooter apparently got his AK-47 from a closet at his step-father's house. Why was that weapon there and easily available to this disturbed 19-year-old?

• I challenge the candidates to support the NICS Improvement Act of 2007. The Virginia Tech shooter was able to buy his guns because Virginia didn't put his information in the system used to check gun buyers. We should do all we can to encourage states to supply records of the dangerously mentally ill and other "prohibited purchasers" (felons, domestic abusers, etc.) to the Brady background check system. Now is the time to pass this bill and send it to the President for his signature.

• I challenge the candidates to support the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2007. We can close the "terror gap" in this country that allows a suspected terrorist to walk out of a gun store fully armed. This is basic common sense. It's harder to get on an airline than it is to buy a gun for these individuals.

• I challenge the candidates to support legislation to require background checks for all gun sales in America. People like the Columbine killers and drug gangsters get their guns from so-called "private sellers" at gun shows. If we agree that felons and other dangerous people shouldn't be able to buy guns, then this loophole must be closed.

• I challenge the candidates to support legislation to limit bulk purchases of guns. Gun traffickers take advantage of weak laws to buy unlimited quantities of handguns, which they sell in the illegal market to criminals who terrorize too many of our communities. Let's cut into the illegal gun trade to protect ourselves and our police [pdf].

Our weak national gun laws have helped lead to unnecessary suffering. I challenge the candidates for President to do something about it.

Now is the time to take real action to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of dangerous people.

Now is the time to stand up for public safety and common sense, and against the gun pushers.

Now is the time for all Presidential candidates to stand up and be counted.

(Note to readers: This entry, along with past entries, has been co-posted on bradycampaign.org/blog and the Huffington Post.)

Comments

[WalterHiggins]

Paul, Don't you think the candidates should take a stand against KNIFE violence too?

"December 20, 2007
Driver Is Fatally Stabbed in Brooklyn
By THE NEW YORK TIMES

A driver was stabbed and killed Wednesday night while sitting in a parked sport utility vehicle in Brooklyn, the police said. "

[Thirdpower]

If this is such a wonderful "Gun Control" bill, why does the VPC oppose it?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-sugarmann/trojan-horse-gun-control_b_77754.html

Trojan Horse Gun Control: The NRA Wins on the NICS Bill

[shedances]

Congratuations, too, on your news re: the Senate, Brady Campaign & Paul Helmke! A very good way to start off '08.

Kelli

p.s. ~ No more time for the gun-boys tricks & manipulations here (below). Sorry gun fellows ... but I'm all "tapped out" as far as wanting to be drawn into more nutty discussions with people who don't really care about important Gun Violence/crimes issues. Tough luck, boys.

[shedances]

And, I nearly forgot to add ~ Best wishes this holiday season, BC. Keep up the fine work...

Kelli

[shedances]

Before wishing the Brady Campaign a very "Happy Holiday," I wanted to just say thanks for all the important efforts being done on gun violence prevention. It must seem a thankless task at times ~ and one in which gun control advocates are often unfairly subjected to interrogation by the progun crowd.

As I write this ... I'm remembering how alarmed I was when someone on the Web said that a considerable population of both violent & non-violent felons believed they ought to have their gun rights restored at some point. This possibility scares the heck out of me, especially since this blogger said he had successfully petitioned his own state to restore his firearm rights (his felony was non violent, apparently).

And I also recall last year, when I noticed a youth purchasing a rifle that was considered an antique by the antique dealer. The boy paid & left ~ never having produced a license (or even being asked for one). I inquired about this, and was told that they could sell such firearms to anyone, as long as they were both antique & inoperable. But the question came up quickly as to what constituted an "antique" firearm according to law? Here, neither she, nor myself, knew.

Interestingly, it was a nasty (but accurate) gun nut ~ whom I should really thank, btw (LOL) ~ for informing me that firearms have to be manufactured before 1899, in order to not be controllable by federal law. I only regret that I didn't know this info. before the teen left the antique store's premises.

Along with concerned Americans ~ I, too, hope to see the background check system greatly improved in the coming years; as well as gun show loopholes closed and better controls placed on sales to unlicensed buyers. I've never been comfortable with such kitchen table-type gun sales ... or youth making their own pipe or zip guns. And perhaps most importantly, I hope the Supreme Court will do the right thing & restore DC's gun law.

Kelli

[Thirdpower]

High crime levels are due to "Gun Culture"? Not the same "Gun Culture" I'm part of. Maybe this one:

http://urlymedia.com/

[molonlabe]

"These shootings continue a long trail of carnage that included the Virginia Tech campus eight months ago. The shooter there used semi-automatic pistols and high-capacity ammunition magazines to fire almost 175 rounds [pdf] in about ten minutes." -Paul Helmke.

Hum...175 rounds in 10 minutes. let's see....

175 divided by 10 = 17.5 rounds per minute.

More demonization of the implement. I'd be willing to bet that I could fire 17.5 rounds per minute with a single shot breach loading rifle.

[molonlabe]

I just have to point this out from my response to Thirdpower, regarding VPC's position on the NRA's Eddie the Eagle Program:

"...the Eddie Eagle program places the onus of safety and responsibility on the children themselves."

This should sum up the irrational thinking of the anti-rights platform. I wonder what their position would be about teaching sex education or teen abstinence programs? From their position on the EEP, it would sound something like "teaching kids about sex and STD's, and abstinence places the onus on the kids themselves about making choices which could potentially change their lives."

Well, duh?!

[Thirdpower]

What was the public's (not the media's) reaction to the Omaha mall shooting? Calls for more "gun control"? Protests? Nope, an increase in handgun and CCW applications.

http://www.ketv.com/newsarchive/14880200/detail.html

"What we're seeing now is people wanting to defend themselves, be able to defend themselves," said Douglas County Chief Deputy Marty Bilek.

Bilek said his department issued 43 certifications in the week before the shootings -- in the week following, they issued 105.

[Thirdpower]

Interestingly enough, the Violence Policy Center has come out against the NICS act which was just passed by both the Senate and House and is currently on W's desk. In it, they claim the Brady Campaign is part of the "Gun Lobby":

"Josh Horwitz, executive director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, adds, "It is ironic that the gun lobby has coerced the Senate into providing resources to rearm mentally disabled veterans during a time when the VA is struggling to provide adequate mental health care to those in need."

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,245656.shtml

[molonlabe]

Paul,

When can we expect you to "down grade" Virgina from a C- to an F?

http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=7515111&nav=menu368_2

[thedewd]

OK, Kelli. Here you go. Answer this question honestly and I will convert to your side if you can convince me that it does not.

Doesn't a Gun Free Zone rely on a criminal obeying the honor system?

Also, one of my posts was deleted, and I did not write anything offensive, is this common on HP?

Thanks,

The Dewd

[MSorgy]

Maybe the NRA link will work better.

http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/InTheNews.aspx?ID=10404

Michael

[MSorgy]

Voters More Likely to Value Endorsement of the NRA, former President Bill Clinton, and President George W. Bush; Oprah Winfrey and Barbra Streisand Endorsements of Limited Value

Interesting article about the value of endorsements from the NRA, former President Bill Clinton, President Bush, Oprah, etc.

Please note that the NRA was at top over Clinton and Bush. Barbara Streisand was at the bottom. Also, the Brady Campaign was not even listed which should be no surprise to most of us here.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,244388.shtml

Michael

[dcaven]

All I can say is WOW! I would really enjoy some serious debate on this issue. Kelli is something else. I have never seen someone continue forth so blindly when confronted with logical refutations of their argument. Certainly the gun control crowd should be able to postulate some kind of real argument. Is this the best they can do? No offense Kelli, but, Damn!

Please explain to me why the woman in Colorado who defended others with her firearm was doing a bad thing. We have unfortunately been presented with the alternative; ie VA Tech, just a few short months ago. Also, please explain again why I should not be able to carry legally to protect my wife and two young children when we are out of the house. You see, I have passed a set of local, state, and federal background checks, have never been convicted of even a misdomeanor, have demonstrated proficiency with my firearm, and have been educated in the legal issues concerning the use of force. I believe Houston to be no more safe than Chicago-I have lived both places- but here in Houston I am at least allowed the proper means of self defense. Why is this a bad thing? What is the social cost of my actions?

David

[molonlabe]

Paul,

Don't you always say that Politicians should listen to the "will of the people?"

I agree....

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/12/16/guns.poll/

Also, notice how short and sweet taht article is. Truth hurts in liberal media i guess....

[MSorgy]

Self-defense against suicidal killers

By Michael S. Brown (member of Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws)

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20071212/news_lz1e12brown.html

Michael

[Thirdpower]

I challenge the Brady Campaign to stop misrepresenting what different firearms are capable of in order to pursue more political goals.

I challenge the Brady Campaign to address the issues that are holding up the NICS act.

I challenge the Brady Campaign to acknowledge that basing restrictions off of error-ridden lists is irresponsible and unconstitutional.

I challenge the Brady Campaign to stop trying to ban private purchases of firearms by connecting them to FFL dealers that they are at the same time trying to drive out of business.

I challenge the Brady Campaign to find any evidence that limited purchasing laws have in any way effected crime.

I challenge Paul to read the responses on his linked Op-Ed and figure the ratio of his supporters to those who support the rights of the populace.

[shedances]

There is so much good that can be achieved in our communities, if our political candidates have the necessary moxie & courage to stand up to the NRA, it's smaller-counterparts, & the noisy guncrowd (such as those we see here). It's not an impossible task, either ... the Brady Campaign & others in gun control advocacy do it all the time, much to their credit!

Kelli

[shedances]

Hi Paul ~

Forgive this lengthy post. I wanted to include a very good excerpt from "Crime Magazine" which was written prior to the Virginia Tech gun massacre. Though I disagree with some of the author's opinions, I find he was absolutely on-target when it concerned the NRA & common arguments by the guncrowd. For those unaware, Maloney is now deceased.

"The NRA ... asserts that each year 2.5 million of the 45 million citizens who currently own guns, use their lawfully owned firearms to repel criminals.

"The NRA bases that claim on the work of writers such as Gary Kleck, Ph.D. [who] conducted a random telephone sampling of 4,978 households ... and concluded that Americans use firearms as often as 2.5 million times each year defending themselves against criminals.

"Let"s examine that claim. In 1994 the FBI issued a report containing the following: 'During the 1987-1992 period, offenders fired their weapons in 17 percent of all non-fatal handgun crimes, MISSING the victim four out of five times. In 3 percent of the non-fatal crimes committed with handguns, about 21,000 annually, the victim was wounded.

'In addition, an average 11,100 were killed each year. During the same period an estimated annual average of 62,000 violent crime victims (approximately 1 percent of all violent crime victims) used a firearm in an effort to defend themselves. In addition, an annual average of about 20,000 victims of theft, household burglary or motor vehicle theft attempted to defend their property with guns.

'In most cases, victims defending themselves with firearms were confronted by unarmed offenders, or those armed with weapons other than firearms. During the six-year period, about one in three armed victims faced an armed offender ... [R]ather than 2.5 million, only 82,000 citizens use a gun to defend themselves annually ... I would suggest that many crime victims who pull a gun during a robbery, merely spark a shootout that would not have taken place otherwise. The fact is, using a gun to protect yourself can be fatal," J.J. Maloney, 1999.

[djdeleon]

YES !!!! I've been waiting for SOMEONE to raise the issue of all this out of control gun violence we have in this country. Where's are the Terrorists? All I see are suburban white boys with AK-47's shooting people in malls. Who are we kidding with all this terrorist b.s.

[molonlabe]

"The Omaha shooter apparently got his AK-47 from a closet at his step-father's house. Why was that weapon there and easily available to this disturbed 19-year-old?"

Probably for the same reason why I leave my car keys on my kitchen table. Or why I leave screw drivers in an unlocked drawer. Or why my wife leaves her hair dryer under the bathroom sink which is sometimes filled with water. Or why I leave baseball bats in an unlocked closet. Or why my pocket knife is on my night stand. Or why my 1911 is loaded under my bed....

Because implements do not have minds of their own, Paul. An inanimate object is an inanimate object until the variable called "intentional misuse" or "negligent use" BY THE INDIVUDUAL comes into play. Why you are so insistent upon blaming these objects I will never understand. Do you honestly think that the removal of guns and not addressing the sociological factors of crime will do ANY good? The UK banned guns and they have a KNIFE problem. Why? Because even across the pond, Paul, criminals are criminals and no one wants to step up to the plate and address THAT problem. Why? Probably money. It would cost an exorbitant amount of money to combat those problems, and it would also take a certain degree of humility to admit the animal that is human nature.

Oh, BTW, for the 1000th time, the Omaha shooter didn't have an AK-47. No matter how many times you say it or print it, Paul.

You can b.y.a. I am challenging the presidential candidates for my vote this year. I am challenging them to finally reverse decades of ineffective gun legislation and pursue an avenue which will combat violence. And contrary to your blind statements of "the will of the people", I have a feeling there are a lot who feel the same way I do. After all, we have the statistics to prove it Paul. Do you?

[mike101]

"This is America, not Iraq."

Paul, didn't you read any responses to your last blog? We explained to you (again) and the rest of the blog-reading world, that these are NOT the same weapons the military uses in Iraq.

"There are none so blind as those who will not see."

[Douva]

Mr. Helmke, why do you refer to these "assault weapons" as "military-style weapons" and not simply "military weapons?" Is it because most of these so-called "assault weapons" LOOK like military weapons but actually FUNCTION completely differently and are, therefore, not used by any military anywhere in the world?

I find it interesting that both the WASR-10 rifle used in the Westroads Mall shooting and the XM-15 rifle used in the New Life Church shooting were legally produced in the United States of America during the 1994-2004 federal "assault weapons" ban. Apparently the exact number and configuration of cosmetic features on a gun is not what makes it lethal.

I noticed that you reference the New Life Church shooting but fail to mention that it was ended moments after the shooter walked into the building, by a civilian legally carrying a concealed handgun, under the authority of a concealed handgun license (CHL)/concealed carry weapons permit (CCW)--a program your organization vehemently opposes.

I also noticed that you blame the Virginia Tech massacre's high death toll on "high-capacity ammunition magazines" (standard issue 15-round magazines), even though the Virginia Tech Review Panel, comprised of state appointed officials, stated in their official report, "10-round magazines that [used to be] legal [under the federal assault weapons ban] would have not made much difference in the incident. Even [revolvers] with rapid loaders could have been about as deadly in this situation." Apparently they took the time to do the math. The killer at Virginia Tech took approximately nine minutes to shoot 60 people--killing 30--in Norris Hall. Firing fifteen rounds from two 10-round magazines takes only about two seconds longer than firing fifteen rounds from a 15-round magazine.

Perhaps if Virginia Tech students and faculty members who possessed valid CHLs/CCWs had been allowed to carry their concealed handguns on campus, that shooting could have been mitigated in the same way as the New Life Church shooting.

http://www.ConcealedCampus.com
http://www.ProtestEasyGunsLies.com
http://www.DebunkTheBradyCampaign.blogspot.com/

[radsroc]

Responses to this op-ed read like an organized response by NRA types.
I can understand the perceived need for a gun for self-defense or hunting, and the need for security guards like Jeanne Assam to be armed. However, it is clear to me that nobody needs an AK-47 or similar for self-defense or hunting. So why are they still on our streets? Why are bulk purchases of guns permitted?
Why can't death by gunfire be managed as a preventible public health problem?