http://www.vpc.org/press/0101ash.htm
VPC Opposes Nomination of John Ashcroft
For Immediate Release:
January 4, 2001
Contact Information:
Violence Policy Center
1140 19th Street NW
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
The Violence Policy Center (VPC), a national organization working to reduce gun death and
injury in America, today announced its strong opposition to the nomination of former Missouri
Senator John Ashcroft for United States Attorney General. The VPC announcement represents the
first time in the organization's 12-year history that it has publicly opposed a federal cabinet
nominee.
VPC Public Policy Director Joe Sudbay states, "During the 2000 elections, the National
Rifle Association claimed that if George Bush won the presidency, the NRA would be working out
of his office. Now they've gone one better. If John Ashcroft becomes attorney general, the NRA
will be running the Justice Department." Issues cited by the VPC in its opposition to Ashcroft
include:
a.. Ashcroft would be the first Attorney General in recent history who has been the
beneficiary of massive spending by a special interest group with a political agenda that is in
direct conflict with the duties of the office. During the 2000 election cycle, the NRA spent
$339,237 in independent expenditures on behalf of Ashcroft in his failed Senate reelection bid.
The NRA's PAC also made direct contributions to the Ashcroft campaign.
b.. Ashcroft endorsed and worked on behalf of a failed 1999 NRA-backed referendum in
Missouri that would have allowed the carrying of concealed handguns by convicted criminals,
including child molesters and stalkers, throughout the state.
c.. Ashcroft supports NRA efforts to immediately destroy essential records maintained
under the Brady law's National Instant Check System (NICS) that ensure the system's
effectiveness and accuracy. Currently the records are retained for 6 months.
d.. Ashcroft voted last Congress to weaken the Brady law. During Senate debate on
whether to expand the current Brady NICS background check to all sales at gun shows (not just
those by federally licensed dealers), Ashcroft not only voted against the measure, but voted
for legislation sponsored by NRA Board Member Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) that would have
weakened the Brady law by reducing the time allowed to conduct the background check by all
gun-show sellers-including licensed dealers-from three business days to 24 hours.
e.. Ashcroft opposes the federal assault weapons ban. In September 2004 the federal ban
on specific assault weapons and new high-capacity magazines -- which is supported by virtually
every major national law enforcement organization -- will come up for reauthorization by
Congress. Ashcroft opposes the assault weapons ban and twice voted in the Senate against a ban
on the importation of foreign-made high-capacity magazines. The Justice Department will likely
play a key role in determining what form the reauthorized ban will take and whether or not
needed improvements to the ban are made.
VPC Legislative Director Kristen Rand adds, "John Ashcroft will place the health and
welfare of the NRA and its gun industry allies over that of the American public. What this
means is simple: more assault weapons, less vigorous enforcement of federal gun laws, and a
rollback of the Brady law. The Senate should not approve his nomination."
The Violence Policy Center is a national non-profit educational organization working to
reduce gun death and injury in America. For more information on the VPC and firearms violence
issues, visit the VPC's Web site at http://www.vpc.org.
VPC Opposes Nomination of John Ashcroft
For Immediate Release:
January 4, 2001
Contact Information:
Violence Policy Center
1140 19th Street NW
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
The Violence Policy Center (VPC), a national organization working to reduce gun death and
injury in America, today announced its strong opposition to the nomination of former Missouri
Senator John Ashcroft for United States Attorney General. The VPC announcement represents the
first time in the organization's 12-year history that it has publicly opposed a federal cabinet
nominee.
VPC Public Policy Director Joe Sudbay states, "During the 2000 elections, the National
Rifle Association claimed that if George Bush won the presidency, the NRA would be working out
of his office. Now they've gone one better. If John Ashcroft becomes attorney general, the NRA
will be running the Justice Department." Issues cited by the VPC in its opposition to Ashcroft
include:
a.. Ashcroft would be the first Attorney General in recent history who has been the
beneficiary of massive spending by a special interest group with a political agenda that is in
direct conflict with the duties of the office. During the 2000 election cycle, the NRA spent
$339,237 in independent expenditures on behalf of Ashcroft in his failed Senate reelection bid.
The NRA's PAC also made direct contributions to the Ashcroft campaign.
b.. Ashcroft endorsed and worked on behalf of a failed 1999 NRA-backed referendum in
Missouri that would have allowed the carrying of concealed handguns by convicted criminals,
including child molesters and stalkers, throughout the state.
c.. Ashcroft supports NRA efforts to immediately destroy essential records maintained
under the Brady law's National Instant Check System (NICS) that ensure the system's
effectiveness and accuracy. Currently the records are retained for 6 months.
d.. Ashcroft voted last Congress to weaken the Brady law. During Senate debate on
whether to expand the current Brady NICS background check to all sales at gun shows (not just
those by federally licensed dealers), Ashcroft not only voted against the measure, but voted
for legislation sponsored by NRA Board Member Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) that would have
weakened the Brady law by reducing the time allowed to conduct the background check by all
gun-show sellers-including licensed dealers-from three business days to 24 hours.
e.. Ashcroft opposes the federal assault weapons ban. In September 2004 the federal ban
on specific assault weapons and new high-capacity magazines -- which is supported by virtually
every major national law enforcement organization -- will come up for reauthorization by
Congress. Ashcroft opposes the assault weapons ban and twice voted in the Senate against a ban
on the importation of foreign-made high-capacity magazines. The Justice Department will likely
play a key role in determining what form the reauthorized ban will take and whether or not
needed improvements to the ban are made.
VPC Legislative Director Kristen Rand adds, "John Ashcroft will place the health and
welfare of the NRA and its gun industry allies over that of the American public. What this
means is simple: more assault weapons, less vigorous enforcement of federal gun laws, and a
rollback of the Brady law. The Senate should not approve his nomination."
The Violence Policy Center is a national non-profit educational organization working to
reduce gun death and injury in America. For more information on the VPC and firearms violence
issues, visit the VPC's Web site at http://www.vpc.org.