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Gore: Ban Guns in Churches
By LAURA MECKLER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Pushing a popular election-year issue, Vice President Al Gore wants to ban guns from churches and other places of worship.
In a speech later today in California, Gore plans to announce support for legislation banning firearms in churches, synagogues and mosques, as well as where school events are held.
Gore, the presumptive Democratic nominee, will also note that Texas Gov. George W. Bush, his GOP presidential rival, signed a law in 1995 that allows Texans to carry concealed weapons with a permit.
While that law banned guns from churches and synagogues, in 1997 Bush signed another law that forces houses of worship to post signs or hand out cards alerting visitors that guns are not permitted. The law barred prosecution of those who bring guns into churches unless they had been notified of the rules first.
''I believe we need to seize upon the growing consensus that it is time to get guns away from those who should not have them,'' Gore said in prepared remarks. He said he has always believed in the right of hunters to carry weapons. ''But America cannot afford another Columbine, or another Paducah, or another Jonesboro.''
Shootings at schools in those communities have galvanized support for gun control measures in Congress and among Americans.
A spokesman for Bush was not immediately available for comment.
Gore planned to discuss his initiative this afternoon at a speech at the Washington United Youth Center in San Jose, Calif.
Also today, Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle and Sen. Joe Lieberman introduced a resolution stating that guns do not belong in schools and places of worship.
The senators said that it is now legal in at least 22 states for gun owners to carry concealed weapons in churches, synagogues and mosques.
''We want to make a clear, unequivocal statement that we, like most Americans, believe that Saturday Night Specials do not belong in Sunday School classes or any other place where families are learning, playing or praying,'' said Lieberman, D-Conn.
He said they plan to introduce the non-binding measure, sponsored by 23 Senate Democrats, in advance of the Million Mom March against gun violence on May 14 in Washington.
Gore was also announcing support for legislation backed by Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., that would set aside federal spending for law enforcement, making it harder to raid that money for other purposes.
Gore has already come out in support of a number of gun control measures including mandatory child safety locks, requiring background checks for purchases at gun shows and banning ''junk guns'' and assault weapons.
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Gore: Ban Guns in Churches
By LAURA MECKLER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Pushing a popular election-year issue, Vice President Al Gore wants to ban guns from churches and other places of worship.
In a speech later today in California, Gore plans to announce support for legislation banning firearms in churches, synagogues and mosques, as well as where school events are held.
Gore, the presumptive Democratic nominee, will also note that Texas Gov. George W. Bush, his GOP presidential rival, signed a law in 1995 that allows Texans to carry concealed weapons with a permit.
While that law banned guns from churches and synagogues, in 1997 Bush signed another law that forces houses of worship to post signs or hand out cards alerting visitors that guns are not permitted. The law barred prosecution of those who bring guns into churches unless they had been notified of the rules first.
''I believe we need to seize upon the growing consensus that it is time to get guns away from those who should not have them,'' Gore said in prepared remarks. He said he has always believed in the right of hunters to carry weapons. ''But America cannot afford another Columbine, or another Paducah, or another Jonesboro.''
Shootings at schools in those communities have galvanized support for gun control measures in Congress and among Americans.
A spokesman for Bush was not immediately available for comment.
Gore planned to discuss his initiative this afternoon at a speech at the Washington United Youth Center in San Jose, Calif.
Also today, Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle and Sen. Joe Lieberman introduced a resolution stating that guns do not belong in schools and places of worship.
The senators said that it is now legal in at least 22 states for gun owners to carry concealed weapons in churches, synagogues and mosques.
''We want to make a clear, unequivocal statement that we, like most Americans, believe that Saturday Night Specials do not belong in Sunday School classes or any other place where families are learning, playing or praying,'' said Lieberman, D-Conn.
He said they plan to introduce the non-binding measure, sponsored by 23 Senate Democrats, in advance of the Million Mom March against gun violence on May 14 in Washington.
Gore was also announcing support for legislation backed by Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., that would set aside federal spending for law enforcement, making it harder to raid that money for other purposes.
Gore has already come out in support of a number of gun control measures including mandatory child safety locks, requiring background checks for purchases at gun shows and banning ''junk guns'' and assault weapons.
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Slowpoke Rodrigo...he pack a gon...
Vote for the Neal Knox 13