Washington Times Poll: Most don't favor new gun laws

STORY

Poll: Most don't favor new gun laws
Donald Lambro
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Published 4/21/00


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Bush, Gore differ on whether tougher enforcement is enough
The presidential candidates sharpened their positions on guns and violence Thursday as a new poll found that most Americans favor stricter enforcement of existing gun laws over more controls on firearm sales and safety.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans now believe it is more important to enforce existing gun laws "than to enact new statutes aimed at restricting weapons sales and improving gun safety," according to a national survey of voter attitudes toward guns and youth violence by the Pew Research Center.
On the anniversary of the high school shooting rampage in Littleton, Colo., that left 15 dead, the Pew poll found that just 6 percent of voters believe that tougher gun control laws would prevent a reoccurrence of the Columbine High School tragedy.
At campaign appearances Thursday, Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore staked out different positions on gun violence — an issue that has grown to one of major concern among voters in the aftermath of the shootings at Columbine and at other schools.
Supported by the Pew findings, Mr. Bush said he thought it was more important to pursue tougher enforcement of the nation's present gun laws than to enact more laws. He also said that teaching character, values, and right and wrong in schools was the most effective, long-term answer to youth violence.
"Strict enforcement of tough laws is important. But ultimately the safety of our children depends on more than laws. It depends on the values we teach them, and the kind of culture we create and condone."
Mr. Bush said that "character education," which his school reforms have made a part of the Texas school curriculum, should be added to every school curriculum in the country.
"Columbine was a sad lesson, but it is an important reminder for us to love our children and to teach our children what's right in life and what's wrong in life and to make the right choices," he said.
Mr. Bush's emphasis on teaching values and character, along with increased federal funding for such curriculums, earned some rare praise from Mr. Gore, who called for tougher gun laws at an appearance at Fort Lee, N.J.
"I compliment him for doing that," Mr. Gore said. "I think that's right near the top of the list."
Speaking at a student assembly at Fort Lee High School, Mr. Gore said there was no "easy, glib, silver-bullet answer" to juvenile shootings, which, despite the higher profile of recent years, have been declining.
Mr. Gore proposed new gun control laws that would, among other things, require photo licenses for handgun buyers and mandate gun makers and licensed dealers to report sales to a state authority.
Mr. Gore also was critical of concealed weapons laws, such as the one that Mr. Bush signed into law in 1995 that allows people with permits to carry guns to protect themselves.
The vice president's campaign put out a press release Thursday listing the "differences on gun control" with his Republican rival. But the Bush campaign responded with a statement saying that Mr. Gore "failed to explain why prosecuting current gun laws is not a priority," noting the Pew poll.
"It's fine to call for new laws, but it cannot hide Al Gore's failed record on enforcing the current gun laws already on the books," said a Bush campaign spokesman.
An Associated Press poll Thursday also found stronger support for stricter enforcement (42 percent) vs. tougher gun control laws (33 percent). One year ago, immediately after the Littleton shootings, more than half of Americans said more gun laws was the answer.
Meanwhile, the Pew poll's findings appeared to support Mr. Bush's emphasis on placing more responsibility upon schools and parents to teach values to young people.



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Slowpoke Rodrigo...he pack a gon...

Vote for the Neal Knox 13
 
I'm sorry - typographical error - the topic title should read 'Washington Times - Poll: Most don't favor new gun laws' as the poll was conducted by the Pew Research Center.
 
One can only hope that with this decrease in the number of people favoring more gun laws, it means that in spite of all the rhetoric and hysteria, people are beginning to make sense of the issue for themselves, and to think logically rather than emotionally. Meaning less manipulation by the HCI folks and all those saying "It's for the children. As if we who have children and/or guns and are responsible need them to tell us what is best.
 
This is good news.
I have long felt we have the moral high ground and have won the intellectual argument.
I know we are stronger in the majority of states and have a slight edge in the federal congress.
We may even be favored in the Supreme Court, in which a sympathetic ruling would be the sweetist victory of all.
So, our position is strong and has held so far.
But the hysterical campaigns of our enemies over the last year have been unnerving even to those most confident in our cause, and certainly to myself at many times.
This is good evidence that the hysteria is not working. Americans now seem less likely than ever to accept a Reichstag Fire type of over reaction to deprive them of the Bill of Rights, which is the foundation of our civil liberties and the true glory of America amongst the nations of the world.
The chief trouble maker now is our self discredited President Clinton. Without his active and unceasing support, I am convinced that the Anti Bill of Rights assault would indeed collapse in short order.
We have to remain watchful on all fronts, of course. But lets really focus our attention on getting rid of this corrupt and untrust worthy leader and his weak political heir, Al Gore.
With them gone and a favorable or at least nuetral federal government, we can go on to beat back the abuse of our rights in the handful of states that followed this lead.
 
I think I speak for most of us when I say that I can't wait until my efforts can be directed towards regaining some of our lost liberties instead of defending against new assaults on them.

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NRA/GOA/SAF/USMC

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Oregon residents please support the Oregon Firearms Federation, our only "No compromise" gun lobby.
www.oregonfirearms.org
 
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