Kerry Campaign (mis)Fires Back
So, the Kerry campaign issued a press release to refute the charges discussed in the post below that John Kerry was given a shotgun as a gift that his co-sponsored legislation, Senate Bill S.1431, would have banned as an "assault weapon" had it become law.
Here's what John Kerry West Virginia Communications Director Amy Goodwin had to say:
Sorry, Amy, but that facts, as they exist in your head, are not clear. In fact they're quite murky, much like any typical piece of gun control legislation. If what you say is true, and that Senator Kerry currently opposes banning this firearm, perhaps what you meant to say was "The senator supported banning this gun BEFORE he opposed banning it".
Lets have a look now at those facts, shall we?
1. The firearm in question is a semi-automatic shotgun. FACT
2. Senate Bill S.1431 "Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2003" was co-sponsored by Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and 13 other U.S. Senators. FACT
3. Senate Bill S.1431 classifies semiautomatic shotguns as "assault weapons" if they have one or more of the following features: a folding or telescoping stock, a pistol grip, the ability to accept a detachable magazine, or a fixed magazine capacity of more than 5 rounds. FACT
4. The language contained in Senate Bill S.1431 states that "The term `pistol grip' means a grip, a thumbhole stock, or any other characteristic that can function as a grip". FACT
There are your facts, Amy. They're clearer than you might care to realize. Either Kerry co-sponsored this bill because it reflects his true agenda as a legislator devoted to the erosion of individual firearms rights, or, as he claims is the case with his vote to authorize war against Saddam Hussein, he was misled into co-sponsoring it based on lies, mistruths and fabrications set forth by Dianne Feinstein, Chuck Schumer, et al.
So, which one is it, Ms. Goodwin? I gotta say, I'm leaning toward the former. Kerry wasn't just voting in favor of this bill, he felt strongly enough about it to allow his name to be listed as a co-sponsor. Telling, no?
Also, while reading through the text of S.1431, I came across one passage just oozing with Kerryspeak:
How's THAT for nuance? This is what the esteemed senator from Massachusetts refers to as common-sense gun control legislation. Read that paragraph again. Then review the list of co-sponsors of S.1431. Now imagine which names from that list a President Kerry would consider for Attorney General. Yes, be afraid, be very afraid.
Here's what John Kerry West Virginia Communications Director Amy Goodwin had to say:
The facts are clear. John Kerry opposes banning this gun and always will. John Kerry was proud to receive this union-made gun at the United Mine Workers Labor Day picnic in Racine, West Virginia.
Sorry, Amy, but that facts, as they exist in your head, are not clear. In fact they're quite murky, much like any typical piece of gun control legislation. If what you say is true, and that Senator Kerry currently opposes banning this firearm, perhaps what you meant to say was "The senator supported banning this gun BEFORE he opposed banning it".
Lets have a look now at those facts, shall we?
1. The firearm in question is a semi-automatic shotgun. FACT
2. Senate Bill S.1431 "Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2003" was co-sponsored by Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and 13 other U.S. Senators. FACT
3. Senate Bill S.1431 classifies semiautomatic shotguns as "assault weapons" if they have one or more of the following features: a folding or telescoping stock, a pistol grip, the ability to accept a detachable magazine, or a fixed magazine capacity of more than 5 rounds. FACT
4. The language contained in Senate Bill S.1431 states that "The term `pistol grip' means a grip, a thumbhole stock, or any other characteristic that can function as a grip". FACT
There are your facts, Amy. They're clearer than you might care to realize. Either Kerry co-sponsored this bill because it reflects his true agenda as a legislator devoted to the erosion of individual firearms rights, or, as he claims is the case with his vote to authorize war against Saddam Hussein, he was misled into co-sponsoring it based on lies, mistruths and fabrications set forth by Dianne Feinstein, Chuck Schumer, et al.
So, which one is it, Ms. Goodwin? I gotta say, I'm leaning toward the former. Kerry wasn't just voting in favor of this bill, he felt strongly enough about it to allow his name to be listed as a co-sponsor. Telling, no?
Also, while reading through the text of S.1431, I came across one passage just oozing with Kerryspeak:
(30) The term `semiautomatic assault weapon' means any of the following:
[snip]
(L) A semiautomatic rifle or shotgun originally designed for military or law enforcement use, or a firearm based on the design of such a firearm, that is not particularly suitable for sporting purposes, as determined by the Attorney General. In making the determination, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a firearm procured for use by the United States military or any Federal law enforcement agency is not particularly suitable for sporting purposes, and a firearm shall not be determined to be particularly suitable for sporting purposes solely because the firearm is suitable for use in a sporting event.
How's THAT for nuance? This is what the esteemed senator from Massachusetts refers to as common-sense gun control legislation. Read that paragraph again. Then review the list of co-sponsors of S.1431. Now imagine which names from that list a President Kerry would consider for Attorney General. Yes, be afraid, be very afraid.
