Reply #9: Wednesday, May 14, 2003

[dajabr]

DEAN CRITICIZES GOP PLANS TO LET ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN EXPIRE
In the wake of an announcement by Congressional Republicans that they plan to allow the federal ban on assault weapons to expire, Governor Howard Dean today called on President Bush to "keep his word" and fight to reauthorize the ban on deadly semi-automatic weapons. Dean says there is no legitimate sporting purpose for assault weapons.

"Sportsmen know they don't need an Uzi to hunt deer," said Dean. "These weapons are not favored by sportsmen. They are favored by criminals and terrorists, and we need to keep them off our streets."

Bush has stated his support for reauthorizing the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, which is due to expire in September. Dean urged the President to put pressure on members of his party in Congress. "The true measure of leadership is standing up to your friends when they are wrong," said Dean. "President Bush should use the power of the presidency to urge his fellow Republicans to do the right thing, protect American lives, and extend the assault weapons ban."

http://blog.deanforamerica.com/archives/000244.html