Why a Renewal of the 1994 Assault Weapon Ban is NOT Happening....

[Marshal Halloway]

at least according to Irwin Nowick...

I don't know much about Mr. Nowick, but you might find this article interesting.

The article is long and starts out with his comments about the Second Amendment Foundation's and NRA's law suit in United States District Court challenging Washington State’s requirement that non US Citizens needed a license to possess a firearm in that state.

After that, he goes in length analyzing the election results and what we may expect or not expect in terms of gun legislation.

Let me know what you think.

http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2008/11/the_heller_gun_12.html

[alfsauve]

A few observations about the article.   Over 6000 words long, longer than the entire editorial page of many newpapers, it is not an easy read.  With 12point type and 1/2" margins all around, his article takes 9 letter sized pages.     Covering several major topics that, while all loosely connected (the election), would have been better served with separate, and shorter, articles.   I almost gave up after the first couple of  paragraphs because they had nothing to do with the title.  (In fairness, in many papers the editor chooses the title, not the author.)  Almost to the bottom of page 6 before he gets to the "titled" AWB.

About the AWB:
Mr Nowick seems extremely knowledgeable in the voting records of the US congress-critters and specifically the possible votes concerning gun control issues.  I certainly do not posses the in-depth and detail knowledge that he does.

My only counter, at first blush to this, is a) there seems to be a push to get something passed, as evidence by Sara Brady and b) many politicians play the "compromise" game.  They may well "compromise" by voting for the AWB in order to stave off more serious attempts at gun control.  (A strategy I don't agree with.   My idea of compromise is:  Let's repeal the 1968 gun control law and I won't go after the 1934/1938 laws....................yet.)  One area of compromise with the "unions" could well be the "Card Check" initiative.  I think the "unions" would throw any and everybody under the bus for that one.

From my reading of Sara and others, and reading between the line, the AWB and Gun Show issues are for show.   They want them passed badly to show their base some tangible results.    BUT the real crux of what they want to further their total ban agenda is to start a 4473 and NICs database of gun owners.   Those items will be buried in some bill somewhere in the first 6 months.   

Given time this week, I'll try to see if NRA or SAF have a gun rating for the elected pols, and post a summary here.

[Hazcat]

A few observations about the article.   Over 6000 words long, longer than the entire editorial page of many newpapers, it is not an easy read.  With 12point type and 1/2" margins all around, his article takes 9 letter sized pages.     Covering several major topics that, while all loosely connected (the election), would have been better served with separate, and shorter, articles.   I almost gave up after the first couple of  paragraphs because they had nothing to do with the title.  (In fairness, in many papers the editor chooses the title, not the author.)  Almost to the bottom of page 6 before he gets to the "titled" AWB.

About the AWB:
Mr Nowick seems extremely knowledgeable in the voting records of the US congress-critters and specifically the possible votes concerning gun control issues.  I certainly do not posses the in-depth and detail knowledge that he does.

My only counter, at first blush to this, is a) there seems to be a push to get something passed, as evidence by Sara Brady and b) many politicians play the "compromise" game.  They may well "compromise" by voting for the AWB in order to stave off more serious attempts at gun control.  (A strategy I don't agree with.   My idea of compromise is:  Let's repeal the 1968 gun control law and I won't go after the 1934/1938 laws....................yet.)  One area of compromise with the "unions" could well be the "Card Check" initiative.  I think the "unions" would throw any and everybody under the bus for that one.

From my reading of Sara and others, and reading between the line, the AWB and Gun Show issues are for show.   They want them passed badly to show their base some tangible results.    BUT the real crux of what they want to further their total ban agenda is to start a 4473 and NICs database of gun owners.   Those items will be buried in some bill somewhere in the first 6 months.  

Given time this week, I'll try to see if NRA or SAF have a gun rating for the elected pols, and post a summary here.

Alf,

I think you have a very clear read on the possibilities.  The AWB WILL be passed and a lot sooner than many think.

[tt11758]

Alf,

I think you have a very clear read on the possibilities.  The AWB WILL be passed and a lot sooner than many think.

Bullseye!!

[Jim Urban]

Two Words... Executive Order

[Sponsor]

[TAB]

Two Words... Executive Order

which he does not have the power to do...   now he can stop imports form coming in, but thats it.

[runstowin]

One thing I like about this forum, I get to read things about an issue I either did not know about, or did know about, but had not thought it through.  Thanks go to the people who have so far posted on this article.

[Pathfinder]

which he does not have the power to do...   now he can stop imports form coming in, but thats it.

Your naivete is appalling, Tab, of course he has the power. FDR put hundreds of thousands of US citizens in concentration camps for years. Yes it was overturned, but who cares - he did it and got away with it long enough to eradicate the threat he thought they posed.

Do you really believe b-ho won't do everything he can by EO, Congress, even a willing and compliant on their knees to him Congress just takes too damn long. Besides, you have to have those pesky public votes and everything. So why not just issue all of the EOs you can. You know, in the interest of keeping AKs from the hands of gangbangers in Cleveland. That whole public safety thing.

Know how I know they are thinking this way? Story today that they are looking to overturn many of President Bush's EOs. They know and they will use them. Not to mention orders to BATFE, EPA, Commerce - the whole Federal structure will now be against us. And no one - not one damn person will say boo when he fires all of the US prosecutors across the country and replaces them with more willing and compliant b-ho disciples.

[TAB]

Your naivete is appalling, Tab, of course he has the power. FDR put hundreds of thousands of US citizens in concentration camps for years. Yes it was overturned, but who cares - he did it and got away with it long enough to eradicate the threat he thought they posed.

Do you really believe b-ho won't do everything he can by EO, Congress, even a willing and compliant on their knees to him Congress just takes too damn long. Besides, you have to have those pesky public votes and everything. So why not just issue all of the EOs you can. You know, in the interest of keeping AKs from the hands of gangbangers in Cleveland. That whole public safety thing.

Know how I know they are thinking this way? Story today that they are looking to overturn many of President Bush's EOs. They know and they will use them. Not to mention orders to BATFE, EPA, Commerce - the whole Federal structure will now be against us. And no one - not one damn person will say boo when he fires all of the US prosecutors across the country and replaces them with more willing and compliant b-ho disciples.

Get a new tin foil hat... the one you have now is not working for you.

[tombogan03884]

which he does not have the power to do...   now he can stop imports form coming in, but thats it.

TAB, You don't know what you are talking about.

Obama to use executive orders for immediate impact

    *

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, Associated Press Writer Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press Writer – 25 mins ago
Featured Topics:


WASHINGTON – President-elect Obama plans to use his executive powers to make an immediate impact when he takes office, perhaps reversing Bush administration policies on stem cell research and domestic drilling for oil and natural gas.

John Podesta, Obama's transition chief, said Sunday Obama is reviewing President Bush's executive orders on those issues and others as he works to undo policies enacted during eight years of Republican rule. He said the president can use such orders to move quickly on his own.

"There's a lot that the president can do using his executive authority without waiting for congressional action, and I think we'll see the president do that," Podesta said. "I think that he feels like he has a real mandate for change. We need to get off the course that the Bush administration has set."

Podesta also said Obama is working to build a diverse Cabinet. That includes reaching out to Republicans and independents — part of the broad coalition that supported Obama during the race against Republican John McCain. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has been mentioned as a possible holdover.

"He's not even a Republican," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said. "Why wouldn't we want to keep him? He's never been a registered Republican."

Obama was elected on a promise of change, but the nature of the job makes it difficult for presidents to do much that has an immediate impact on the lives of average people. Congress plans to take up a second economic aid plan before year's end — an effort Obama supports. But it could be months or longer before taxpayers see the effect.

Obama could use his executive powers to at least signal that Washington is changing.

"Obama's advantage of course is he'll have the House and the Senate working with him, and that makes it easier," said Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond. "But even then, having an immediate impact is very difficult to do because the machinery of government doesn't move that quickly."

Presidents long have used executive orders to impose policy and set priorities. One of Bush's first acts was to reinstate full abortion restrictions on U.S. overseas aid. The restrictions were first ordered by President Reagan and the first President Bush followed suit. President Clinton lifted them soon after he occupied the Oval Office and it wouldn't be surprising if Obama did the same.

Executive orders "have the power of law and they can cover just about anything," Tobias said in a telephone interview.

Bush used his executive power to limit federal spending on embryonic stem cell research, a position championed by opponents of abortion rights who argue that destroying embryos is akin to killing a fetus. Obama has supported the research in an effort to find cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's. Many moderate Republicans also support the research, giving it the stamp of bipartisanship.

On drilling, the federal Bureau of Land Management is opening about 360,000 acres of public land in Utah to oil and gas drilling. Bush administration officials argue that the drilling will not harm sensitive areas; environmentalists oppose it.

"They want to have oil and gas drilling in some of the most sensitive, fragile lands in Utah," Podesta said. "I think that's a mistake."

Two top House Republicans said there is a willingness to try to work with Obama to get things done. But they said to expect Republicans to serve as a check against the power held by Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress.

"It's going to be a cheerful opposition," said Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind. "We're going to carry those timeless principles of limited government, a strong defense, traditional values, to the American people."

Pence, of Indiana, is expected to take over the No. 3 leadership post among House Republicans.

In other transition matters, Obama's new chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, would not say whether Obama would return to the Senate for votes during the postelection session this month. Obama's presence would be extraordinary, given his position as president-elect, especially if Congress takes up a much-anticipated economic stimulus plan.

"I think that the basic approach has been he's going to be here in Chicago, setting up his economic, not only his economic team, but the policies he wants to outline for the country as soon as he gets sworn in, so we hit the ground running," Emanuel said.

Also, Emanuel would not commit to a Democratic proposal to help the auto industry with some of the $700 billion approved by Congress to for the financial bailout.

Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a letter Saturday to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson that the administration should consider expanding the bailout to include car companies.

Podesta appeared on "Fox News Sunday," as did Pence, and CNN's "Late Edition," where Reid also was interviewed. Emanuel spoke on ABC's "This Week" and CBS' "Face the Nation."